QJA ACCREDITATION: A FOCUS ON EXCELLENCE The QJA Member Accreditation program was recently launched at the QJA State Conference – held at Surfers Paradise. Although the term “accreditation” is normally assigned to an organsation, it equally applies to individuals in the QJA context. Accreditation signifies that the client at the receiving end can expect to be served competently and professionally. The intent of the program is to support the QJA mission to achieve excellence in JP Services through ongoing education of its members.
The Australian Council of Professions includes the concepts of ‘integrity, trust, ethics, expertise and helping others’ in its definition of a profession.Australian Council of Professions, 2021) Underpinning the concept is a code of ethics and acquisition of and keeping of special knowledge. To that extent, the role of JP and expectations of conduct as well as the body of knowledge required to witness documents or undertake minor bench duties meets that definition as a profession.
The accreditation program is the recognition of a member’s achievement in continuing professional development (CPD) as an appointed JP or Cdec, as well as the service skills acquired with experience. Appointment to the office of JP or Cdec is the “first part of the mission” (Kloosterman, n.d.). CPD is important for members as a way of ensuring that they are competent and up to date in the profession (Kloosterman, n.d.). Although the Oath of Office as a JP or Cdec does not prescribe the expectation the individual will undertake CPD, it is important to consider the gravity and nature of the witnessing and judicial functions that are or can be undertaken. It is also important to view holding that office as a profession. The role of JP or Cdec is an honorary and voluntary one, however not being paid for service does not mean it cannot be identified as profession.
When one identifies the role of JP or Cdec as a profession and considers the lifetime appointment to the office, it is easy to form the expectation that CPD is vital in that role. Occupations with similar lifetime commitments in the areas of law, medicine, trades, engineering, and finance all have within their relevant industries an expectation of and a system for CPD and accreditation. Other holders of qualifications like those of a JP or Cdec also have a requirement – often mandatory – for holders to undertake CPD to maintain their accreditation, such as those of marriage celebrants. (Australian Government Attorney-General, 2021).
QJA Quarterly
Winter 2021| 16
