The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to allow The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA) to continue to collectively negotiate terms of engagement of members who provide translator and interpreter services, primarily to Government departments as independent contractors, and to advise them in relation to what constitutes fair rates of pay and other terms of contracts for service. Re-authorisation is proposed for a further ten years.
The ACCC initially authorised these arrangements in 2014, for a five-year term.
The ACCC considers there are public benefits from allowing APESMA to continue the arrangements, including transaction cost savings and improved access to information — which may enable more effective and efficient negotiation, and greater development and retention of qualified practitioners in the industry. Public detriments are likely to be limited.
As APESMA’s existing authorisation expires on 26 June 2019, the ACCC has also decided to grant interim authorisation to allow APESMA to continue collective negotiations while the ACCC is continuing to consider the application for re-authorisation.
The ACCC invites submissions in relation to this draft determination before making its final decision. Further information about the ACCC’s draft determination and APESMA’s application for re-authorisation is available on the public registers at: The Association of Professional Engineers Scientists Managers Australia (APESMA).