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The CPD plan and record

Note

7.1 Advisers must maintain an acceptable continued professional development (CPD) plan and record for each 12 month licensing period. What must be included in an acceptable CPD plan and record is notified on the Immigration Advisers Authority’s website.

Requirements

What must be included in an acceptable CPD plan and record is notified in the table below.

 

An acceptable CPD plan and record is specific to you and must include:

CPD PLAN
  • a description of your learning needs
  • a description of your proposed actions to address these learning needs

CPD RECORD

  • a description and details of each activity you undertake to meet your learning needs including:

    • your reflections on each activity you undertake
    • date completed
    • description of activity
    • number of CPD hours you completed
  • documentation showing your attendance at each activity you undertake

Guidance

Planning CPD is an ongoing process which begins when you first start practice. You may review your learning needs and amend them at any time.

If you are a new licensed immigration adviser you should prepare your CPD plan and record as soon as possible. If you are an existing licensed immigration adviser you should create your annual CPD plan and record as soon as possible following each licence renewal.

We recommend that you develop your CPD plan for a year, at least in general terms, but you may review it whenever you wish amending your learning needs, and/or making them more specific if necessary.

The intention is that, at the beginning of your licensing year, you reflect afresh on your learning needs and proposed actions for the year ahead, and document these in your CPD plan.

As you complete activities, you will then document and reflect on these in your CPD record.

You are not required to submit your CPD plan for the year ahead to the Authority at your licence renewal. Rather, the Authority may inspect your CPD plan and record for the past year at your licence renewal.

  The questions below are designed to help you maintain your CPD plan and record:

CPD PLAN
  • to help identify your current learning needs consider:
    • what are the priority areas for my practice?
    • what do I do well regarding my knowledge, skills, professionalism/ethics, practice management?
    • what needs improvement regarding my knowledge, skills, professionalism/ethics, practice management?
    • what are my priorities?
  • when describing your proposed actions to address your learning needs, consider:
    • how would you like to fulfil each learning need? For instance, attending a seminar, organising or participating in a study group, receiving coaching etc.
CPD RECORD
  • when describing each activity, consider how the activity:
    • is related to the Immigration Advisers Competency Standards or the Licensed Immigration Advisers Code of Conduct
    • is relevant to your learning needs as contained in your CPD plan
    • provided you with an opportunity for interaction and feedback
  • to reflect on your activities consider:
    • what did I learn?
    • what will I do differently as a result?
    • did the activity fulfil or contribute to my current learning needs? If so, how?
    • do I have any further learning needs as a result of this activity?

How do I keep my CPD plan and record?

IAA Online

You may keep your CPD plan and record in your secure portal at IAA Online, including uploading verification of your attendance. You can enter and update your plan and record at any time during the licensing year up until you submit your next licence renewal application.

Your IAA Online CPD plan and record will not be viewed by the Authority except when you upload it to an inspection renewal application.

Keeping your records at IAA Online will make it very easy for you to provide the Authority with your records for inspection when this is required. Your records will be safe and secure, accessible to you anytime and easy to update. Having your records online in one place will also help you track your progress.

Note

Please make sure you review and complete your CPD record for the past year before submitting your renewal application. Your IAA Online CPD plan and record for your current licensing year will be locked for editing when you submit your next renewal application, even if you are submitting a fast-track renewal application.

A fresh CPD plan and record will be available for you to complete for the year ahead when your licence is renewed.

Keeping it myself

Alternatively you may retain your record in hard-copy or electronic format or a combination of both. However, whenever you are required to submit an inspection renewal application you will be required to enter your CPD plan and record online.

If you wish to keep your records yourself, a template CPD plan and record is available from right column of this page under the heading downloads.

How long must I keep my CPD plan and record for?

You must maintain an acceptable CPD plan and record for each 12 month licensing period beginning from your licence renewal date between 26 November 2015 and 25 November 2016.

You must keep each annual CPD plan and record for three years.

If you choose to keep your record in your secure portal at IAA Online, these records will remain there for you to view.

Related documents

Immigration links

INZ Operational Manual(external link)
Internal advice to immigration staff(external link)
Policy Amendment Circulars(external link)
Internal Administration Circulars(external link)

Additional reading

Judicial decisions
Tribunal decisions
Adviser newsletters
Webinars

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