FPAS (FSD) Qualified Accreditation Now Enforced in NSW: What This Means for the Fire Protection Industry

As of 1 August 2025, the NSW Government has officially enforced stricter compliance with the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS) for fire systems design and certification work. This regulatory shift mandates that only qualified, FPAS-accredited practitioners, under the scheme, can legally perform or sign off on specific fire protection tasks within the state. Understanding FPAs

The Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme (FPAS), developed by the Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA), was approved by NSW Fair Trading on 1 July 2020, with additional amendments introduced on 9 November 2023. The scheme covers three key areas:

• Fire Systems Design (FSD): Accreditation for professionals designing fire safety systems, including fire hydrant & hose reels, fire sprinkler systems and fire detection & alarm systems.
• Inspection and Testing (I&T): Certification for those conducting inspections and tests on fire safety systems.
• Fire Safety Assessment (FSA): Accreditation for assessing and reporting on the performance of fire safety measures.

This initiative aims to ensure that fire protection work is performed by individuals with verified competencies, thereby improving safety and compliance throughout the built environment.

Implications for Industry Stakeholders

For building owners, designers, certifiers, and project managers, this change marks a critical shift in how fire protection work is overseen. This includes:

• Only qualified FPAS accredited professionals, under the scheme, can endorse or certify fire protection systems, ensuring legal adherence.
• The scheme improves the quality and reliability of fire protection designs and assessments.
• Qualified accredited practitioners are familiar with the latest codes and standards, making project approvals and inspections more efficient.

How This Affects Your Projects

If you are involved in projects in NSW, it is crucial to:

• Ensure that the professionals engaged in fire systems design and certification hold the appropriate FPAS accreditation.
• Coordinate with accredited practitioners early in the project timeline to avoid delays in approvals and certifications.
• Monitor any updates or changes to FPAS and related regulations to ensure compliance.

Let's Navigate These Changes Together

If you are uncertain about how the FPAS enforcement impacts your projects or approvals, our team at Jensen Hughes Australia is here to assist. We offer comprehensive fire safety services, including design, assessment, and certification, all executed by qualified FPAS-accredited professionals.

For more information on FPAS and how we can support your fire protection needs, visit the official FPAA resource: FPAS Accreditation

Contact our team for personalised guidance and solutions tailored to your specific requirements.

Key changes to FPAS you should know

• Expanded Accreditation Categories: More specialised roles now require FPAS accreditation, covering design, inspection, testing, and fire safety assessment.
• Mandatory Consultation with Fire and Rescue NSW: For certain building classes, performance solutions must be developed in collaboration with FRNSW.
• Standardised Fire Safety Schedules: A government-issued template is now compulsory for all fire safety documentation.
• Enforced Use of Accredited Professionals: From February 2025, only FPAS-accredited practitioners (I&T) can certify newly installed fire safety measures.
• Improved Maintenance Requirements: In NSW, routine servicing and record-keeping for fire protection systems must follow Australian Standard AS 1851-2012.

For detailed information, visit the FPAA FPAS Accreditation page or the NSW Fair Trading site.