PIA Membership

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Chapter Membership Requirements

To create a broader and more inclusive Institute that recognises that ‘planning’ is not a narrow field, the Planning Institute has developed and launched a number of Chapters to recognise the skills and professionalism of planning specialists.

Chapters create a number of new entry mechanisms for becoming a member of PIA based on a broader range of planning disciplines, which were previously excluded from PIA by the strongly urban and regional planning focused membership requirements. Chapters simply provide a number of new entry mechanisms for becoming a PIA Full Member. Chapters also offer an opportunity for individuals involved in particular disciplines to become more involved in the development and recognition of their profession.

The criteria presented here are used as the basis for selection for Full Membership, and are ideally used when composing the Statements of Claim needed during an application for that grade of membership.

To view the criteria for a particular chapter, choose one of the options below.

Economic Development Chapter

Economic development brings together financial, social, human, natural, built and institutional capital to help provide for the material needs of sustainable communities. Economic development professionals (also called ‘economic developers’) plan and facilitate the development of regional and local economies.

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is the peak body in Australia for planners and professionals in related built environment fields, including economic developers. PIA is particularly concerned with promoting the links between social, environmental, cultural and economic policies. Economic development professionals can join PIA as Full members through the Economic Development Chapter, or as Student members, Graduate members or Associates with an interest in economic development.

Streams of entry for Full Membership
Stream 1: Possess a PIA accredited planning qualification, with a major in urban & regional economics AND have at least 2 years experience in recognised economic development roles.
Stream 2: Possess a tertiary degree in economics, commerce or urban planning, with a major in urban economics or urban & regional economics AND have at least 2 years experience in recognised economic development roles.
Stream 3: Possess a tertiary degree in a field relevant to economic development AND have at least 5 years experience in recognised economic development roles.

In addition to meeting one of the chapter’s 3 entry streams, applicants must demonstrate experience in the practice of economic development, covering at least 3 of the following associated areas of competency:

Associated Areas of Competency

  • Strategic Economic Data Research, Analysis and Policy Interpretation
  • Business and Industry / Cluster Facilitation
  • Community Development and Employment Strategy Formulation
  • Economic and Social Impact Assessment
  • Policy, Program and Project Evaluation
  • Infrastructure Funding and Co-ordination Policy
  • Strategic Land Use Planning
  • Corporate and Business Planning
  • Tourism Planning
  • Retail Planning
  • Marketing
  • Property Feasibility, Development and Finance
  • Housing Policy
  • Consultation and Stakeholder / Community Engagement
  • Master Planning

Environmental Planning Chapter

Environmental planning is concerned with the protection and management of our natural, environmental and energy resources and their interaction with development. It aims to promote responsible development and the long term integrity of the natural environment. Environmental planning complements the social and economic context within which the planning and management of development activities take place.

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is the peak body in Australia for planners and professionals in related built environment fields, including environmental planners. Environmental planning professionals can join PIA as Full members through the Environmental Planning Chapter, or as Student members, Graduate members or Associates with an interest in environmental planning.

Streams of entry for Full Membership
Stream 1: Possess a PIA accredited planning qualification, with a unit in environmental planning AND have at least 2 years practical experience in environmental planning.
Stream 2: Possess a tertiary degree in any of the environmental planning core competencies AND have at least 2 years practical experience in environmental planning.
Stream 3: Have at least 12 years of practical experience in environmental planning.

In addition to meeting one of the chapter’s 3 entry streams, applicants must demonstrate experience covering at least 1 of the environmental planning fields of endeavour and 2 of the categories of experience.

Fields of Endeavour

  • Environmental management
  • Ecology and conservation
  • Environmental health and resource management
  • Environmental chemistry and pollution control
  • Earth sciences
  • Hazard management

Categories of Experience

  • Assess Natural Environment Quality & Characteristics
  • Manage the Impact of Development on and From Natural Environment
  • Develop Strategies, Plans, Standards or Guidelines
  • Act as Advocate for Environmental Planning

Planning Law Chapter

Planning law encompasses a number of related practice areas including strategic and statutory town planning, development formulation and/or assessment, environment, land access, heritage and compulsory land acquisition and compensation. The broad ranges of activities which comprise town planning are undertaken in an increasingly complex and regulated environment. Within this environment, legal advice and representation can assist planners and their clients or employing agencies address the many legal issues which can arise.

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is the peak body in Australia for planners and professionals in related built environment fields, including planning lawyers. Planning law professionals may join PIA as Full members through the Planning Law Chapter, or as Student members, Graduate members or Associates with an interest in planning law.

Stream of entry for Full Membership
Stream 1: Possess a tertiary degree in law AND be eligible for admission to practice law in one or more jurisdictions within Australia AND have at least 3 years practical experience in planning law.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the chapter’s only entry stream, applicants must demonstrate that they have obtained professional experience relevant to the practice of planning law, in at least 1 area of experience, and covering at least 3 core competencies

Areas of experience

  • Statutory and strategic planning
  • Development formulation or assessment
  • Heritage
  • Environment
  • Compulsory acquisition of land, and compensation
  • Advocacy before courts or tribunals (in any of area (a) to (e) above)

Core Competencies

  • Provide Legal Advice
  • Formulate and Implement Development Projects
  • Assist in Preparation of Planning Instruments
  • Provide Advice and Assistance about Approval Processes
  • Prepare Legal Agreements Between Regulators and Developers
  • Represent Parties in Enforcement Actions
  • Represent Parties Before Relevant Courts and Tribunals

Social Planning

Social planning plays a pivotal role in creating liveable communities, vibrant economies, sustainable places, diverse cultural expression and social cohesion. Social planning involves planning for the needs and aspirations of people and communities through strategic policy and action, integrated with urban, regional and other planning activity. Social planning is founded on the principles of social justice (equity, access, participation and rights) and aims to enhance community well being and effectiveness.

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is the peak body in Australia for planners and professionals in related built environment fields, including social planners. Social planning professionals can join PIA as Full members through the Social Planning Chapter, or as Student members, Graduate members or Associates with an interest in social planning.

Streams of entry for Full Membership
Stream 1: Possess a PIA accredited planning qualification, with a social planning unit or elective AND have at least 2 years practical experience in social planning.
Stream 2: Possess a tertiary degree in a field that has led to practice as a Social Planner AND have at least 2 years practical experience in social planning.
Stream 3: Have completed at least 60% of a relevant tertiary degree AND have at least 6 years practical experience in social planning
Stream 4: Have at least 12 years of practical experience in social planning.

In addition to meeting one of the chapter’s 4 entry streams, applicants must demonstrate experience in the practice of social planning, covering at least 3 of the following core competencies:

Core Competencies

  • Access and Mobility
  • Community Development
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Housing
  • Cultural Planning and Development
  • Economic Development, Economic Planning and Employment
  • Human Services Planning
  • Recreation planning
  • Health and Safety
  • Participation
  • Community Facilities Planning
  • Sense of Place and Identity
  • Social Impact Assessment
  • Social Inclusion

Transport Planning

Transport planning is concerned with identifying and planning for the accessibility needs and movement of people and freight within liveable and sustainable communities. Transport planning therefore takes into account the desirable social, environmental, economic outcomes and develops strategies related to transport and traffic to achieve those outcomes within planning frameworks.

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is the peak body in Australia for planners and professionals in related built environment fields, including environmental planners. PIA is particularly concerned with the integration of transport and land use planning. Transport planning professionals can join PIA as Full members through the Transport Planning Chapter, or as Student members, Graduate members or Associates with an interest in transport planning.

Streams of entry for Full Membership
Stream 1: Possess either a PIA accredited planning qualification, or an engineering degree accredited by Engineers Australia AND have at least 2 years practical experience in transport planning.
Stream 2: Possess a tertiary degree in transport planning AND have at least 2 years practical experience in transport planning.
Stream 3: Possess a tertiary degree in a field relevant to transport planning AND have at least 2 years practical experience in transport planning.
Stream 4: Have at least 12 years of practical experience in transport planning.

In addition to meeting one of the chapter’s 4 entry streams, applicants must demonstrate experience in the practice of transport planning, covering at least 6 months of experience in any 2 of the following core competencies:

Core Competencies

  • Integrated Transport & Land Use Planning (including urban design);
  • Transport Modelling;
  • Transport Economics;
  • Transport Network/Corridor Planning;
  • Traffic Engineering or Management;
  • Modal Planning;
  • Transport Policy;
  • Transport Logistics.

Urban and Regional Planning

Urban & regional planning is the discipline of spatial planning concerned with the allocation and connection of land uses within cities and towns and across regions. Urban planning – also called ‘town planning’ – involves the design and management of built-up areas and settlements in both metropolitan and rural contexts. Regional planning takes in development and connections over a broader area, at a less detailed level.

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is the peak body in Australia for planners. Urban & regional planning professionals can join PIA as Full members through the Urban & Regional Planning Chapter, or as Student members, Graduate members or Associates with an interest in urban & regional planning.

Streams of entry for Full Membership
Stream 1: Possess a PIA accredited planning qualification AND have at least 2 years practical experience in urban & regional planning, at least one of which gained after course completion.
Stream 2: Possess either a degree in planning equivalent to at least 3 years of full time study, or a NSW Local Government Ordinance 4 Certificate AND have at least 5 years practical experience in urban & regional planning, at least 3 of which gained after course completion.
Stream 3: Possess a tertiary degree in a field relevant to planning AND have at least 9 years practical experience in urban & regional planning.
Stream 4: Have at least 12 years of practical experience in urban & regional planning.

In addition to meeting one of the chapter’s 4 entry streams, applicants must demonstrate experience in the practice of urban & regional planning, covering at least at least 6 months of experience in any 3 of the following categories of experience:

Categories of experience

  • Prepare Plans and Administer their Provisions
  • Devise and/or Advice on Policies
  • Assess Environmental Impacts and the Effects of Development Actions
  • Research and Evaluation of Urban and Regional Activities
  • Teaching and Planning
  • Administer the Provision of Urban Services
  • The Planner as Advocate and/or Expert
  • Implement Urban or Regional Planning Proposals

Urban Design

Urban design aims at the creation of useful, attractive, safe, environmentally sustainable, economically successful and socially equitable places. Good urban design pursues local identity and sense of place, cultural responsiveness and purposeful environmental innovation. It achieves a high level of quality, comfort, safety, equity, beauty and cohesion in the overall, physical outcome of all the urban development, planning, engineering, architectural and landscape design decisions that contribute to purposeful and planned urban environmental change.

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is the peak body in Australia for planners and for professionals in related built environment fields, including urban designers. Urban design professionals can join PIA as Full members through the Urban Design Chapter, or as Student members, Graduate members or Associates with an interest in urban design.

Streams of entry for Full Membership
Stream 1: Possess a PIA accredited planning qualification AND have at least 5 years practical experience in urban design.
Stream 2: Possess a tertiary degree in urban design at PhD, Master, Bachelor or Diploma level AND have at least 2 years practical experience in urban design.
Stream 3: Possess a tertiary degree in a built environment field (eg urban & regional planning, architecture, landscape architecture AND have at least 5 years practical experience in urban design.

In addition to meeting one of the chapter’s 3 entry streams, applicants must demonstrate experience in the practice of urban design, in at least 1 of the following key areas of design competency, as well as 3 of either the associated areas of competency or the other closely related practice areas:

Key areas of design competency

  • Public Domain Design
  • Urban Development Project Design
  • Urban Architectural Design
  • Adaptive Reuse and Urban Infill Design
  • Open Space Design
  • Urban Landscape Design
  • Public Infrastructure Design
  • Development Control Plan Preparation
  • Master Planning
  • Structure Planning

Associated areas of competency

  • Urban Context Analysis
  • Urban Design Program Analaysis (User Needs, Use Pattern, etc)
  • Design Brief Preparation
  • Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Goal Finding Processes

Other closely-related practice areas

  • Sustainable Development
  • Accessibility and Mobility
  • Community Development
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Culturally-Sensitive Design
  • Safety by Design
  • Traffic and Transport Planning
  • Property Development and Finance
  • Equity through Economic Planning