When “voluntary” guides shape investigations: what real compliance looks like in the outdoors

Policy shifts, climbing access, and real-world standards collide in a fast-moving update for outdoor leaders across NSW and the ACT. We kick off with the new NSW Climbing Advisory Council formation—inviting leading associations—to coordinate advocacy and work through the Mount Alexandra closure. From there, we unpack our push for ACT recognition as a peak body, why that status unlocks impact, and how adding outdoor leadership qualifications to CIT can build a local talent pipeline that keeps guides and instructors close to home.

We get practical on compliance and workforce, outlining the NSW portable long service scheme for community recreation providers, including mandatory registration, quarterly returns, and the 1.7% levy. We flag upcoming e-micromobility law changes and a webinar to clarify what operators need to change for e-bikes and devices. If you hire or train staff, the outdoor qualifications review needs your voice—workshops across NSW, the ACT, and online make it easy to contribute. We also spotlight funding and learning: AED grants still available in targeted postcodes, on-demand access to the Outdoor Risk and Resilience Symposium, and full Outdoor Summit recordings for those who missed key sessions.

At the core sits the Australian Adventure Activity Standard (AAAS). It’s called “voluntary,” yet it often frames what’s reasonably practicable in WHS investigations when legislation and codes are silent. We break down must vs should, how to document variations, and why meticulous records matter. Accreditation can validate business systems, but it doesn’t replace AAAS-aligned field practice—insurers and investigators are increasingly reading your website and social posts for safety culture cues. We close with upcoming AAAS review catch-ups and a 2026 release timeline, inviting more practitioners to shape standards that honour safety, environment, and culture.

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Chapters

• 0:03 Welcome & Acknowledgement of Country
• 1:14 New Climbing Advisory Council Formed
• 2:16 Mount Alexandra Access Closure
• 3:12 ACT Peak Body Recognition Push
• 4:34 Outdoor Leadership on ACT Training Scope
• 5:42 NSW Portable Long Service Scheme
• 7:34 eMicromobility Laws Webinar
• 8:56 Outdoor Qualifications Draft Review
• 10:20 AED Grant Reminder & Limits
• 11:17 Risk & Resilience Symposium Access
• 12:19 Western Sydney Moving Symposium
• 13:06 Annual Report & AGM Preview
• 14:05 AAAS Purpose, Scope, and Use
• 16:10 “Voluntary” vs WHS Investigations
• 18:10 Must vs Should, Variations & Records
• 20:08 Accreditation vs AAAS Compliance
• 21:45 Promoting Monthly AAAS Catch-ups
• 22:35 Marketing Images and Compliance
• 24:04 Q&A and Closing