CPD exemptions

You may be eligible for an exemption from continuing professional development (CPD) if the reasons are considered to constitute extenuating circumstances. An officer of CPA Australia has the discretion to grant such exemptions.

An exemption from your CPD obligations can only be granted at the time of your CPD audit. You can not be granted a reduction in CPD hours in advance.

A total or partial exemption may be granted and will remain until the extenuating circumstances cease to exist.

Examples include:

• leave from professional duties – you do not need to accumulate CPD whilst out of the workforce for an extended period of time
• external factors which prevent you from engaging in CPD activities for a period, or if the officer of CPA Australia decides it would be unreasonable to require you to accumulate CPD over the period

An FCPA or CPA who cannot provide evidence of sufficient CPD commitment may be reverted to Associate status. An Associate may be suspended and referred to a one person tribunal, ultimately leading to the possible forfeiture of membership.

CPD hours cannot be carried forward and each triennium will start afresh with a minimum of 20 hours required per year accumulating to 120 hours over the triennium.