Future Education requirements of all BAS Agents

Updated April 3, 2012

Did you get your “Activity Statement” unit by RPL after 1 October 2010? Then you probably have more work to do!

If you didn’t do the “Payroll” Unit or you did it by RPL then you may have more work to do!

Summary (An ICB explanation of what the TPB is now saying and what it means, with a few logic comments thrown in:

1. BAS Agents may have registered or may still register without the formal qualifications that will ultimately be required.
2. For each new BAS Agent and for each existing BAS Agent that needs to renew as from 1st March 2013 must:
   • Have a Cert IV Bookkeeping or Cert IV Accounting or higher, and
   • Have completed the “approved course” as specified by the Board which is the subjects
     • FNSBKG404A Carry out business activity & instalment activity statement tasks (the “Activity Statement” unit)
     • FNSBKG405A Establish and maintain a payroll system
       (Note that a BAS Agent with a higher qualification (ie a degree) must also qualify with this “approved course”)
   • Any achievement by RPL after 1 October 2010 of the “approved course” subjects must include formal assessment as specified by the Board – check with your Educator.

My registration expires on 28 Feb 2012…not 2013
In #2 above, it talks about you requiring the formal qualifications after March, 2013.
There is the option of applying under the remaining Transitional Registration; proving you have been providing BAS Services to a “Competent Standard” for a “reasonable period”.
Competent Standard: certificate or reference from your employer or from tax agents of the clients for whom the work is done.
Reasonable Period: 700 hours in the last two years.
Using this “Transitional Registration” the TPB can grant you another year in which you need to obtain the formal qualifications. If you are qualified then we suggest NOT using this “Transitional” year.

What qualifications must I have in the future?
These are the requirements when you apply to register for the first time, or to renew your registration.

Requirement 1: Must have Cert IV Bookkeeping or Cert IV Accounting or higher
Issued by an RTO, this requirement is the same as before.

Requirement 2: “Activity Statement” and “Payroll” units possibly from within the Cert IV, but with enhanced conditions described below:

This is best clarified by answering:

• Did you complete your “Activity Statement” unit and/or your “payroll” unit via RPL?
• If NO then you have no further qualification requirement.
• If YES then answer the following:
• When did you complete your “Activity Statement” Unit and your “Payroll” Unit?

1. Before 1 October 2010
   Then you do not need to do any further qualifications, unless
   your first application to be a BA is after 29 February 2012 (see note 2)
   1
2. After 1 October 2010
   If your “Activity Statement” or “Payroll” unit was achieved through RPL the RPL must include “formal assessment”
   1
3. “Activity Statement” unit before 1 October and the “Payroll” unit after 1 October
   Then nothing further for the “Activity Statement” unit (see note 2)
   If the “Payroll” unit is through RPL then “formal Assessment” is required,
   1
4. “Payroll” unit before 1 October and the “Activity Statement” unit after 1 October
   Then nothing further for the “payroll” unit (see note 2)
   If the “Activity Statement” unit is through RPL then “formal Assessment” is required

NOTES

1. the “Payroll” Unit has been added as a New requirement for all but it is not “required” until applications or renewals lodged after 29 February 2012.
   1
   
2. Any new applications (not renewals) after 29 February 2012 that have achieved the “Activity Statement” unit and/or the “Payroll” unit through RPL must have achieved both with formal assessment.

Formal Assessment may include one or more of the following:

• tests and examinations (oral and written);
• problem based assignment;
• essays and reports; and
• computer based assessment tasks.

The Proof: where RPL has been formally assessed in some way, a statement of assurance or similar documentation must be provided. Information that is likely to be required in these documents include:

• name of course provider and student;
• details of qualification/award;
• a certification to the Board by an appropriately qualified officer of the course provider; and
• the method by which RPL has been formally assessed

NOTE: Studies completed in line with the FNS10 training package should have included “Knowledge of the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 and in particular the Code of Professional Conduct”. If you completed your studies with the older FNS04 specifications then you will need to demonstrate that you have the above “knowledge” through CPE or other education programs.

ICB BAS Agent team
3 April 2012