Are you a highly experienced bush regenerator?

AABR is especially calling for Accreditation applications from highly experienced bush regenerators  – ideally those who have been mentored by an AABR-recognised supervisor and hold a Cert III CLM/CEM from a campus recognised by AABR (except if you live in Victoria).

If this sounds like you or someone you know please use the application form below. If uncertain please email us on enquiries@aabr.org.au

(Note: AABR is temporarily halting applications from those who do not fit this category (except in Victoria where the assessor team has capacity).  The reason is that AABR is currently rebuilding its Assessor team and implementing a new online system for processing applications. This limitation will be in place only until our new Assessor teams are fully set up and trained in the new system.)

” 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

What is needed in the Application Form

Most of the Application form is self-evident but a couple of things need emphasis or elaboration.

1. We are most interested in your work at a bush regenerator team member level – so even if you have lots more experience at higher levels, we are most keen to hear about the work you did under supervision early in your career.
   1. Note that field work undertaken during your course is not counted.

2. When selecting the sites to list:

• Only list work at sites where you have actively facilitated natural regeneration and seen the results (i.e. do not include work that focuses on reintroductions or monitoring etc).
• Be specific about the names of sites (or veg type and location) that contributed to the total time worked.

3. When listing supervisors please provide the names and phone number of the people who were your actual mentors on-ground at those sites for the work listed.  (i.e. not the business managers.)

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;

3. discuss basic plant and animal habitat issues;
4. 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;
5. 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;
6. discuss compliance with all relevant herbicide application legislation;
7. discuss the need for commitment to follow up weed treatments and long-term management;
8. indicate, on site, approximate boundaries between areas where natural or assisted regeneration are likely to reinstate desirable ecological communities and areas where planting or other reconstruction methods would be required;
9. discuss the basic techniques used for reconstruction, in areas where no natural or assisted regeneration is expected;
10. discuss the principles of genetic diversity and integrity in relation to propagule sourcing for supplementary planting in the context of maintaining biodiversity;
11. describe a range of common WH&S hazards and specify ways to eliminate hazards or minimise risks; and
12. 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 experienced volunteer Assessors.

AABR Assessors are accredited practitioners who have themselves been through an application and induction process to become an Assessor. They are required be an Assistant Assessor for two applications before acting as a Principal Assessor.

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 Assessment.

If the Applicant has completed qualifications from an AABR-recognised course – and gained 500 hours of field experience over two years under an AABR-accredited supervisor – the Applicant may be eligible for streamlined processing.

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 full assessment is undertaken, involving either one or two Assessors preferably in the field with phone/online meeting options.  The level of assessment required will be determined after an initial interview.

Determining an Applicant’s merit is not just up to one individual Assessor. There is an Accreditation Subcommittee who considers the Assessors’ report and its recommendations. The Accreditation Subcommittee then put forward a recommendation to the AABR Board, 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.

Accreditation- The what, why, who and how