• PMITAG Training Package Review Survey of RTOs – feedback is sought on latest package for PMITAG Training Package Continuous Improvement Register.
• Survey ready to email to RTOs this week on AEPMA/PMITAG letterhead as agreed with AEPMA H.O.

• From ACFIPS ITAB (Arts, Communications, Finance Industries and Property Services Industry Training Advisory Body NSW). G. Cheetham, Senior Project Officer.
• Traineeship commencements data: Up to the end of June 2022 there were 57 commencements and in July there were a further 32 (24 males, 8 females). It is likely that by the end of 2022 there will have been 100, which is back to the 2018-2019 figures.
• No news yet on whether Artibus will continue to be the PM Skills Management company.
• From Cesar Aust regarding 15 May workshop. Phone enquiry suggests outcomes document  will be sent to us (and AEPMA NSW Council) when completed.

• AEPMA 2023 Conference 16-18 August -‘What customers want’ – planning is under way.
• Supplier Training (eg Agserv and Garrards) roadshows back to some Face-face in 2022.
• AEPMA CoBP and Field Biologist Training Courses  - CoBP well under way,  FB ready to go.
• AEPMA Training Portal on website nearly ready to go.
• PMITAG NSW List of Offshore Online Insect Training Courses – Version 2 being proofed and almost ready for circulation.

• Trainee requirements: 
• Currently no MINIMUM trainee period, no requirement for compulsory log book, confusion over what constitutes ‘supervision’. Is a MAXIMUM trainee period of 2 years. Will need to negotiate better minimum requirements.
• Timber pest license:
• Requires units 8 and 10 (or equivalent) but may be a delay for those seeking 8 & 10 because some of the current trainers may have to attain the new units themselves before they can issue them to trainees.
• In some cases very old (pre-competency) qualifications cannot be upgraded by Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to the most recent Units because elements of the current Units were not covered at that time. Some people may have to re-attain the 2 units to be TP licensed.
• P. Legey encouraging people having trouble with EPA (eg in establishing their timber pest credentials for timber pest licensing with EPA or other licensing matters) to contact AEPMA or him.

• This has become a huge industry and is clearly now out of control
• J. Dedes reported being asked to inspect several recently purchased properties with favourable timber pest reports issued by inspectors who carried out combined timber pest and building inspections for the vendor, agent or insurer. In all the cases important timber pest defects had been found and in some cases extensive termite infestation was evident.
• Currently you need NO qualification or training to carry out a building or timber pest inspection in NSW;
• Clearly many of these combined timber pest and building inspections are being carried out by people who have NO idea about timber pests;
• Currently you only need PM Units 8 and 10 to carry out timber pest control in NSW;
• Common areas of concern are where these combined timber pest and building inspectors:
• Are not actually inspecting areas but hiding behind disclaimers that accessible areas could not be reached; 
• Are not understanding, highlighting or reporting conducive conditions (like Damp, Fungal Decay, previous termite damage or wood rot);
• Are taking photos of buildings from the outside but not entering to inspect;
• Have nil knowledge or experience of termite behaviour or termite management systems;
• Are not issuing pre-purchase agreements or termite management plans;
• Are issuing reports that are hard to understand and riddled with disclaimers;
• If you didn’t commission the report yourself (ie it was on-sold to you) you have no legal redress yourself if the report is faulty;
• G. Stephenson experienced problems when buying a house recently;
• PMITAG members feel that the ACCC should be approached by AEPMA to investigate inappropriate, unlicensed and unqualified timber pest and building inspectors and the issuing of their reports to potential building purchasers.

• In response to enquiries about the history and status of PMITAG NSW, C. Orton has written a short article entitled ‘About the PMITAG NSW’. It has gone to the Chair and Deputy Chairs for proofing and will be circulated when it is finalised.

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