AABR accreditation_benefits

” I became accredited when working as a bush regenerator in the early 2000s. I have maintained my Accreditation over the years as I have found it really useful when applying for jobs. Even though I no longer work on ground in my day to day life, Accreditation means I can clearly demonstrate my on the ground experience which is valued by employers as a back ground to environmental community engagement and management roles.” – Vanessa

We welcome applications for AABR Accreditation from bush regenerators who feel they have gained all of AABR’s 12 Accreditation Competencies through genuine bush regeneration field experience totalling at least 500 hours, gained over at least 2 years. Evidence of any relevant qualifications should also be provided with the application. An assessment is required to ascertain the competency of all Applicants except in exceptional cases (i.e. where the required field experience has been mentored by an AABR-recognised supervisor and the Applicant has completed an AABR-recognised course).

If this sounds like you, fill in an application form below, attach  your transcripts and send it to us for initial feedback.

AABR Accreditation is widely accepted recognition of competency as a bush regenerator and increases your employment prospects. It is awarded to those having shown they possess AABR’s 12 Accreditation Competencies and are considered “A trained bush regenerator who has sufficient team-member-level experience, knowledge and skills to undertake effective bush regeneration work, without constant, direct supervision.”

Is there a fee?

The fee for Accreditation of $35/year ($20 unwaged) which supports the administration and promotion of the Accreditation system. The initial fee is paid upon application for accreditation. If the applicant is not successful the fee can be either allocated to the next year’s membership or refunded.

How long does the accreditation process take?

It can take around 2 months to finalise processing Applications where an assessment is not required and longer where an assessment is required. For Applicants who would like to use Accreditation to enhance their employment or business opportunities, with the Applicant’s approval, AABR can provide a statement to third parties saying the Applicant has made an application for Accreditation and the outcome is pending.

Accreditation is a rigorous process and stakeholders, such as local government, contractors and others, expect us to maintain Accreditation standards. (See below “Behind the scenes of the Accreditation process”)

AABR’s assessment team works on a voluntary basis. We thank applicants for their understanding and patience.

Accreditation Application Forms

If relevant please attach the transcripts of your CLM3 qualification with your application. The transcripts provide the Assessors with background as to the subjects you have studied.

Accreditation Application Form (PDF)
Accreditation Application Form (Word)
Print friendly A4 flier explaining the benefits of  accreditation

AABR’s 12 Accreditation Competencies

List of Competencies used by AABR in assessing Bush Regeneration Practitioner’ Accreditation

Below is a list of Competencies which a person must have in order to become an AABR-accredited bush regeneration practitioner – i.e. a person implementing ‘assisted regeneration treatments at the industry entry level (generally under supervision). AABR considers a practitioner should possess these Competencies if they are to be given the title Bush Regenerator, irrespective of whether they are paid or work voluntarily. The list includes a broad range of Competencies, covering what may traditionally be recognised as theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

The Competencies are to be able to:

  1. identify processes which degrade native ecosystems and describe the basic ecological principles relating to these;
  2. discuss natural recovery capacity and specify how bush regenerators can maximise this through:
    • the strategy of working from areas of higher resilience to areas of lower resilience;
    • matching the area of primary treatment to both the site’s capacity to respond and the project’s follow up resources; and
    • using intervention techniques which maximise natural recovery processes;
  1. discuss basic plant and animal habitat issues;
  2. name a majority of the indigenous and weed plant species, at all life stages, on a familiar site, and be able to identify species not recognised by using a botanical key or another process of identification;
  3. perform or describe efficient, effective and safe treatment of weeds over a range of plant life forms (e.g. tree, shrub, groundcover, vine), with a range of root types (e.g. tap, fibrous) and propagule types (e.g. tuber, bulb, corm, rhizome, stolon), including herbicide and non-herbicide treatments;
  4. discuss compliance with all relevant herbicide application legislation;
  5. discuss the need for commitment to follow up weed treatments and long-term management;
  6. indicate, on site, approximate boundaries between areas natural or assisted regeneration are likely to reinstate desirable ecological communities and areas where planting or other reconstruction methods would be required;
  7. discuss the basic techniques used for reconstruction, in areas where no natural or assisted regeneration is expected;
  8. discuss the principles of genetic diversity and integrity in relation to propagule sourcing for supplementary planting in the context of maintaining biodiversity;
  9. describe a range of common WH&S hazards and specify ways to eliminate hazards or minimise risks; and
  10. communicate:
    • appropriate information about sites and programs; and
    • ideas, concepts and recommendations to the site supervisor.

[1]Assisted regeneration treatments are but one element in ecological restoration practice. They are designed to trigger natural regeneration from soil seed banks, resprouting or colonization at a restoration site. Other restoration approaches (such as reconstructing destroyed ecosystems) are not the subject of this particular AABR Accreditation

Behind the scenes of the Accreditation process

Assessing an applicant for AABR Accreditation is a comprehensive process performed by highly experienced volunteer Assessors. The Assessors are bush regenerators who have extensive industry expertise along with a commitment to maintaining the standards of the bush regeneration industry to ensure the best possible restoration outcomes for the environment.

AABR Assessors are accredited practitioners who have themselves been through an application process to become an Assessor. They are required to observe 1-3 assessments with the Principal Assessor and then be an assistant for 1-2 applications before undertaking an assessment by themselves.

When an application for Accreditation is received, a regional Assessor will review the documentation and determine if the qualifications and field experience are adequate for a Standard Assessment. If the qualifications are from an AABR-recognised course and 500 hours of field experience over two years under an AABR-accredited supervisor has been obtained, the application is automatically approved.

If, for a variety of reasons, the knowledge obtained in the qualifications needs to be explored, or the skills gained through field experience need confirming a Non-standard assessment is undertaken involving either one or two Assessors preferably in the field with phone/Skype options for those applicants that appear to already have the required knowledge and skills, this can be confirmed by a conversation.

Determining an applicant’s merit is not just up to one individual Assessor. There is an Accreditation Subcommittee , currently of 10 members, who consider the Principal Assessors report and its recommendations. The Accreditation Subcommittee then put forward a recommendation to the AABR committee, currently at 13 members, the majority of whom are accredited practitioners themselves.

As you can see it is quite a rigorous process and because of this AABR Accreditation is highly regarded within the bush regeneration community and by contractors and land managers.