FAQs

Applicants must:

• Be a financial member of the ACS
• Be a current ACS Certified Professional (CP)
• Hold an appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance policy

Once a member has been awarded CP designation they then need to:

1. Complete an online application submitting evidence of an appropriate and current Professional Indemntiy insurance policy
2. Pay a fee to the ACS.

• Be a financial member of the ACS
• Be a current Certified Professional (CP)
• Hold an appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance policy

It is a condition of the scheme that your membership of ACS be financial at all times. By allowing your membership to lapse you may jeopardise your cover.

It is a condition of Certified Computer Professional status that you be an active Certified Professional (CP).

This is a requirement of the Professional Standards Board, and is to further protect members from financial loss in the event of legal action.

An ACS Certified Professional is someone who has been judged by his or her peers as being a professional practitioner in ICT, that is in having a special skill, which can be relied upon by another. Consequently, the law requires that the professional exercises the required skill to an appropriate level expected by the client. Failure to provide the appropriate advice may result in financial loss or damage arising from a mistake or failure by the professional. 

Professional Indemnity Insurance is a form of liability insurance. It indemnifies ICT Professionals for legal liability to their clients and others who rely on their professional advice. 

Liability can arise out of a breach of contract, negligence or under legislation. Professional indemnity claims for ICT Professionals are usually made on the basis of economic loss as a result of advice provided. 

A Professional Indemnity Insurance policy aims to shield the professional’s assets in the event of a claim, therefore ensuring that they are able to carry on their business. 

The Australian Computer Society, with assistance from indemnity insurance brokers, will regularly review and monitor liability claims to identify areas for improvement in order to reduce claims against Scheme members.

No but you must ensure your insurance coverage continues throughout the period of your Certified Computer Professional special category membership.

Your Certified Computer Professional membership shall be subject to audit and your insurance policy's currency will need to be provided during your annual renewal.

A number of Professional Indemnity Insurance products currently available to you may not satisfy the Professional Standards Legislation requirements. Every policy on the market is different. You need to compare each policy and ensure that you are purchasing the right cover for your specific requirements.

The ACS recommends that you clarify all coverage and indemnity limit issues with your broker. Alternatively, you can contact you can contact Member Advantage Insurance & Superannuation Services at info@abcountrywide.com.au or on phone 1300 365 152.

No you don't. You may use your own broker and you are encouraged to shop around. Member Advantage Insurance & Superannuation Services have been fully briefed on the scheme and are able to advise you if your policy complies.

Safety ceilings (caps) on claims are set high enough to cover most consumer claims and most corporate claims for economic loss.

Currently, the minimum cap is set at:

• For costs in addition insurance, as a minimum the indemnity limit must be $1,500,000
• For costs-inclusive insurance, as a minimum the indemnity limit must be $2,000,000.

Your Limited liability cap only applies from the date you applied for Certified Computer Professional status. This means that you will need to maintain at least the same level of PI insurance cover to ensure that you can cover retroactive (past) claims.

Before making any decisions regarding your policy, the ACS strongly urges you to consult with an insurance broker.

Your liability is limited for work conducted for overseas clients, as long as that work is undertaken within Australia from a business based in Australia. In the event of a claim made against you by an overseas client you are covered for liability under State and Commonwealth legislation, as long as the client lodges the legal action in Australia under Australian law.

• Be an active financial ACS Member 
• Be a current Certified Professional (CP)
• Hold a current Professional Indemnity Insurance policy 
• Promote your membership is part of the scheme.

You must promote your occupational scheme membership on your business stationery. Promotion of scheme membership is in the form of a disclosure statement, which is "Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation".

Participating members are required to disclose their liability status in a number of document types, including: 

• company letterhead and letters signed by the practice - including letters of engagement and invoices 
• receipts 
• fax cover sheets 
• documents such as written advice and with compliments slips 
• newsletters and other publications 
• emails 
• brochures and other promotional material (but excluding advertisements) 
• websites.

All Certified Computer Professionals are able to use the Cover of Excellence^® logo on their stationery. Please note this does not replace the need to include the disclosure statement.

Yes. Your Professional Indemnity insurance is audited to ensure it complies with the insurance requirements of Professional Standards Legislation. Your certification may also subject to an audit from time to time. The ACS may also request you provide examples of stationary to ensure you are properly disclosing your Limited Liability Status.

The scheme is subject to audit by the Professional Standards Council. ACS has set in place a Risk and Compliance Group whose responsibility it is to ensure that ACS members participating in the scheme are compliant with the requirements of the Scheme.