The FW FP Auditor Appointment Programme
AsureQuality manages the appointment programme in partnership with councils. We are committed to ensuring a great experience for all applicants and our team will guide you through each step of the process.
The appointment process for auditors includes the following steps:
Step 1. Application
There are two pathways to become an FWFP auditor:
Pathway 1: Membership of a professional Auditing Body
The applicant must be a member of a professional audit body and demonstrate an understanding of the competencies for auditors as set out in Schedule 2 Part 1 of the Regulations.
Audit bodies
Accredited by JAS-ANZ or IANZ, or
Operating a quality management system that covers:
professional standards and the management of impartiality, and
roles and responsibilities, and
document control, and
internal audit process, and complaint handling and corrective actions.
Pathway 2: Auditor Experience
The applicant must have a minimum of three years of relevant auditing experience. This means demonstrating skills and competencies in all the following areas:
holding technical and working knowledge of primary industry, farm systems, environmental management
knowledge of the RMA Section 9A, NES-F and Freshwater Farm Plan regulations
knowledge of audit principles, practices and techniques, including risk management, sampling, and evidence gathering
audit management skills, including scheduling, planning, and executing the audit
effective communication and questioning techniques
acting in an impartial, ethical and professional manner
completed a course provided by a recognised audit body in audit techniques.
A reference from a suitable referee detailing the applicant's experience is required for applicants following the Auditor Experience pathway, and is encouraged for applicants following the Membership pathway.
Step 2. National Training & Step 3. Regional Training
You will need to complete both national and regional training to become appointed as an FWFP auditor.
National training for auditors involves two steps:
Reading the national training modules 1 – 7 for certifiers (no assessment)
Completing the auditor training modules with assessment
Module 8: Role of the auditor
Module 9: Freshwater Farm Plan Audit Process
Module 9A: Gathering and Assessing Evidence for Audits
Regional training is managed by the regional council in the area/s where you are applying. Information will be made available from the council once you have completed the national training. Auditor applicants should ensure they can demonstrate an understanding of the competencies for auditors. If you are applying in more than one region you will need to complete training in each region. There is no practical assessment for auditors.
Step 4. Recommendation to Council
Once the appointment process is completed AsureQuality will review all the relevant information and submit a formal recommendation for appointment to the regional council advising them that you have successfully completed the appointment process.
The regional council will make the final appointment decision and they will inform you directly of your appointment status. If you are successfully appointed as a freshwater farm plan auditor a member of the AsureQuality appointment process team will confirm your Auditor Identification Number and your details will appear in the national register of freshwater farm plan auditors.
If you have applied to be an auditor across multiple regions, you must await confirmation of your appointment from each region before you can begin to audit farm plans within that region.
Step 5. Appointment
Following your appointment your details will need to be displayed on the published national register of appointed FWFP certifiers and auditors. The details that will be displayed are:
your Name*: your full name (as it appears on your application)
organisation/company
contact details
regions you are appointed within*
farm types you specialise in
a short professional bio
photo of yourself
your certifier / auditor appointment number* (assigned by AsureQuality).
If you are applying on behalf of a company and/or do not wish to be contactable by farm operators once you are appointed, you can opt to have only the minimum mandatory details (*) displayed when you submit your application.