Future assessments - WIA or other ??
#11
"
Changes to amateur radio qualifications

Following an open tender process on AusTender (Approach to Market reference 18ACMA148), the ACMA has selected the University of Tasmania—through its institute the Australian Maritime College (AMC)—to deliver amateur radio examinations, issue amateur certificates of proficiency and for related callsign management.


The ACMA thanks all organisations that expressed an interest in providing services, and also wishes to thank the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) for its provision of services over the term of the current Deed, which came to an end on 1 February 2019. After that time, an examination conducted by the WIA will not be an approved examination for the purposes of amateur qualifications and the WIA will not have the power to issue further certificates of proficiency under the Radiocommunications Act 1992.


The ACMA is working with the AMC to finalise a Deed for the delivery of services and will also need to make enabling instruments to support the AMC’s activities. Once the Deed is signed, the ACMA expects the AMC to progressively commence delivery of services from 25 February 2019.


While these arrangements are being made, the ACMA will consider any applications for certificates of proficiency. A certificate may be issued if the applicant has successfully sat an approved examination under the previous WIA arrangements. The ACMA will also consider any applications for licences related to those certificates of proficiency and will assign callsigns to those licences on issue. Enquiries should be sent to licensing@acma.gov.au.

Last updated: 01 February 2019

"

I saw this earlier this evening in a PDF download from the Assessors' web site but didn't want to put it "out there" at that time. The above was copied directly from the ACMA web site ( https://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/changes-...aTGIFUWkoE)

That information accompanies a release from the WIA (partial extract only) :

"ACMA have announced the successful tender for Amateur Radio Examinations.

Advice has also been provided to unsuccessful tenders. 

....

It should be noted that the WIA is not in a position to conduct examinations or process callsigns from midnight tonight, the 1st February 2019. The WIA will release a statement shortly.
"

It will take a period of time before we are made aware of the full implications. It does mean that the fellow who recently approached "us" and requested a FL assessment is now lost in an awful mess of "don't know" because we are no longer able to undertake assessments.

I have yet to see how the AMC is going to arrange an assessment in outback Queensland, NSW or similar remote places.  I am thinking / assuming that they will also rewrite the syllabi so that practical tests are no longer required... That means they can do it all 'on line'.  It is all guesswork for now.

I also have a request from someone who held a callsign for a few years, let it lapse and now wants to get active again. Very soon.  Before 25th Feb.  How does this happen now ??

I suspect there will be more questions than answers forthcoming.
Doug VK4ADC @ QG62LG51
http://www.vk4adc.com

This Forum is only going to be as interesting as the posts it contains. 
If you have a comment or question, post it as it may trigger or answer the query in someone else's mind.
Reply


Messages In This Thread
Future assessments - WIA or other ?? - by VK4ADC - 02-01-2019, 06:47 PM
RE: Future assessments - WIA or other ?? - by VK4ADC - 01-02-2019, 09:59 PM
RE: Future assessments - WIA or other ?? - by VK5ZD - 01-02-2019, 11:47 PM

Forum Jump: