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PLUMBING CONNECTION Winter 2022
STANDARDS AUSTRALIA
CELEBRATES CENTENARY YEAR
WHAT ARE STANDARDS?
Australian Standards are voluntary
documents (unless called upon in
legislation) that specify minimum
requirements to ensure products or
services are fit for purpose.
Standards Australia facilitates the
development of standards used across
13 industries, including water and waste
services.
Many experts across industries
contribute to new standards and
maintain thousands of existing
standards.
DEVELOPING STANDARDS THROUGH
HISTORY
For the past 100 years, standards
and Standards Australia have been
contributing to the overall welfare
of Australian and international
communities. From keeping
communities safe, supporting
innovation across industries, supporting
the economy, to removing barriers to
trade.
“We have a unique history, from
developing standards during WWII to
campaigning for metrification in the
late 1960s to the early 1970s and
adjusting to working online throughout
the COVID-19 Pandemic,” says
Standards Australia CEO, Adrian
O’Connell.
“Throughout our 100 years’ legacy,
our contributors have continued
to dedicate their valuable time and
expertise to develop standards.”
PROGRAMS SHAPING THE FUTURE
Looking to the future, Standards
Australia is invested in continuing to
benefit Australians through its work.
“As Standards Australia continues to
develop and grow, we know our people
are our greatest asset. The members,
stakeholders and staff help steer
the standards ship and push through
important initiatives and projects.
Therefore, we’re committed to many
projects to attract the best talent and
create the best work. Two of these
projects are NEXTgen and our Graduate
Program,” Adrian says.
NEXTGEN
To support those interested in
participating in national and
international standards development,
Standards Australia launched the
NEXTgen program in 2012. The free
program offers emerging industry
and technical experts the opportunity
to become involved in national
and international standardisation
processes. Participants gain a detailed
understanding of the world of standards
– how they’re made, what impact they
have, and, most importantly, how to be
involved in developing them.
Through the program, participants
are given access to training, mentoring
and direct exposure to standards
development processes.
“We are fortunate to have experts join
our committees to develop standards,”
Adrian says. “To ensure we have well-
balanced committees with a range of
perspectives, we encourage people to
participate in the NEXTgen program so
they can bring with them their diverse
and inclusive backgrounds and expert
knowledge.”
Additionally, NEXTgen participants
attend webinars and committee
meetings (national and international).
All activities give participants an in-
depth understanding of the resources
and processes required to shape
robust standards, which contribute to
Australia’s Net Benefit and international
standards.
Through NEXTgen, participants are
invited to join a technical committee
with a For Information Only seat,
relevant to their field of expertise, for
two years.
Applications for the next round of
NEXTgen will open on June 30. You can
find out more about the program on the
Standards Australia website.
In October 2022, Standards Australia celebrates its 100th birthday. The company’s legacy would not be
possible without all the individuals who contribute to the organisation, including members, stakeholders,
staff, and those directly involved with the development of standards.
Members of the Standards Australia
Graduate Program.
A lot has happened to standards
development and delivery over the past
century.