CIBSE recently completed a highly successful visit to Australia, bringing together members, industry leaders and academic partners across Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. The trip provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen international collaboration, share knowledge, and inspire the next generation of building services engineers.
Building connections and driving impact in Sydney
In Sydney, CIBSE CEO Ruth Carter, 2025/26 President Vince Arnold, and Director of Membership Richard Goldsbrough met with the CIBSE New South Wales Committee for a productive lunch at the newly opened Sydney Fish Market - a project shaped by the expertise of several CIBSE members. The discussion celebrated the impact of CIBSE’s community on regional developments, highlighted membership growth across the ANZ region, and addressed challenges around state and national registration to support professional mobility.
The delegation also met with Engineers Australia’s CEO Romilly Madew and Head of Registration Denis Slade. The conversation focused on progress towards mutual recognition with the UK Engineering Council and explored the potential of AI in membership and assessment activities, marking a valuable step in strengthening international professional collaboration.
Strengthening sustainability efforts, Ruth and CIBSE ANZ Committee member Steve Hennessy met with the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) to discuss verification of embodied carbon in products and ways to improve transparency and consistency across the industry. Similarly, discussions with International Code Council (ICC) and NABERS representatives focused on collaboration in developing guidance and accelerating the adoption of proven energy performance standards globally.
The delegation also hosted a Heads of Industry Breakfast, bringing together over 50 leaders from consultancies and building services organisations. Key topics included data centres, grid electrification, AI in engineering, and the importance of professional registration in maintaining high standards.
Finally, CIBSE engaged with the Young Engineers Network (YEN) and academic partners at the University of Technology Sydney, inspiring early- and mid-career professionals and exploring ways to support future talent pipelines through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and professional networks.
Melbourne: Fostering talent and industry engagement
In Melbourne, the delegation met with RMIT University (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology), discussing opportunities to support students, graduates, and early-career engineers. Conversations highlighted CIBSE’s role as a “global passport” for engineers, enabling international mobility, recognition, and potential course accreditation.
CIBSE also hosted a Heads of Industry Breakfast, providing a platform for networking and discussion on global trends, competence, and the importance of “paying it forward” to support future generations of engineers. Meetings with AIRAH (Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating) and University of Melbourne academics further reinforced collaboration in professional development, training, and student engagement, strengthening the talent pipeline for the built environment.
Addressing skills and workforce challenges in Adelaide
The delegation concluded its visit in Adelaide with a successful Heads of Industry Breakfast, attended by over 40 local leaders. Discussions focused on industry trends, professional standards, and strategies to address skills shortages in South Australia’s engineering workforce. The event also celebrated the contributions of David Robinson and David Brown as they stepped down from the CIBSE SA Committee.
CIBSE also met with the Institute of Healthcare Engineering Australia (IHEA) to explore the global connections of its membership through the International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE).
Media engagement
During the trip, Ruth Carter provided insights in interviews with The Fifth Estate and Climate Control News, highlighting CIBSE’s international collaborations and the growing importance of sustainable, high-performing buildings globally.