We're speaking with Michelle Toon from BSP Brisbane

Can you explain the structure of BSP? How do you manage operations with two offices?

Certainly! BSP Building Certifiers & Regulatory Consultants have two offices, one located in Melbourne and the other in Brisbane, and they each have highly qualified and experienced teams.  The Brisbane office was established by Stuart Andrews when certification was privatised in Queensland in 1998 and manages operations in Queensland. As an employee of the BSP Brisbane office for the past 17 years, I have witnessed numerous changes and advancements throughout my tenure. Our work primarily involves building regulatory consultancy and statutory building approvals, and we take pride in providing high-quality services to our clients.

Seventeen years is a long time to work with one company. How has your role changed over that time?

During my time with BSP, I have had several different roles. Initially, I was responsible for bookkeeping and office administration as an administrative assistant. However, in 2013, Stuart approached me and offered me the opportunity to train as an Energy Assessor, which BSP supported me through my accreditation. Eventually, I became the company's Energy Assessor. Although I enjoyed the job, I decided to take some long service leave in 2021, and I started my own side business in Energy Assessment. Ultimately, I chose to return to the company full-time at Stuart's request but in a more technical role. The passing of my sister was a motivating factor for me to pursue this new direction, and I found that I preferred technical work to energy assessment. As a result, I decided to engage in further training to become a Certifier, which would provide me with greater career prospects.

Can you clarify the term ‘Technical’? What did this new role involve?

When Stuart offered me the role of his technical assistant, he meant that I would be responsible for reviewing site classifications, plans, and assessments in compliance with the national construction code. This position is known as a Cadet Building Surveyor, which inspired me to undertake additional studies to become a certified building surveyor.

Is that the main reason you decided to study building surveying?

During this period, I faced the heartbreaking loss of my sister, who passed away after delivering her fourth child. It was an extremely difficult time for me since I lost them both. I was in a world of pain and grief, but studying, working full-time, and caring for my own family kept me busy and distracted. I still had my sister’s words in mind that she would ‘hunt me down’ if I didn’t take this opportunity. I honour her memory by continuing my academic pursuits and striving to better myself through this degree.

Are you still running the Energy Assessment business?

No, I made the decision to discontinue it when I started attending university because I simply did not have the time to devote to it.

What does Energy Assessment entail?

Energy Assessment is the process of utilising a software program to simulate the plans of a property, determining its energy efficiency rating. The rating is based on the number of stars assigned to the property. The thermal performance of the housing can also be evaluated by creating a 'deemed to satisfy' report, which outlines the insulation requirements for walls, roofs, etc. Typically, energy assessments are carried out during the property's construction, as the certifier needs the assessment to issue a building approval. However, energy regulations are evolving, and the rating system is being updated from a 6-star to a 7-star rating. In Queensland, these new regulations were initially scheduled to start in October 2023 but have been postponed until May 1, 2024.

How far along in your building surveying studies have you progressed?

I am currently studying towards an associate degree in Building Surveying at CQ University. Once completed, I will be qualified to be a Level 3 certifier. However, my passion for this field has driven me to pursue Bachelor's and Honours degrees in the future. I am currently taking two subjects per semester, and I anticipate finishing my associate degree by July 2025. Interestingly, while I was an average student in high school, I am now achieving High Distinctions in my studies. The hands-on experience and knowledge gained through working have been tremendously helpful in enhancing my academic performance.

What is the uptake of the course? Is it popular? Are there more males than females taking the course?

It can be difficult to determine the exact number of individuals taking the online course, as some may be enrolled in other courses, such as Architecture or Design, that have some crossover in subject matter. Therefore, a diverse mix of certifiers, designers, and building management professionals are taking the course. For example, I recently completed the Building Inspection module, which is exclusive to certifiers, and I was pleased to see a few other women enrolled in the same course. It's encouraging to see more women pursuing building surveying.

What do you think could be done to raise the profile of Building Surveying as a career choice?

Apparently, almost half of the currently licenced surveyors are above the age of 50, indicating that when they start to retire, we will have a shortfall of building surveyors in this country. I am a student member of AIBS, and they have initiated a campaign to promote and educate high school students about the prospects of Building Surveying as a profession. I believe the industry is very aware of the need to increase awareness of Building Certification as a career option.

What do you like about working in the building certification industry?

There are a few things that I really enjoy about working in the building certification industry. Firstly, it allows me to utilise my previous experience in accounts and my natural inclination towards being audit-focused. I find great satisfaction in ensuring that everything is compliant and in order, leaving no stone unturned. Visual Approvals provides a useful tool for me to do just that, with its 'Checklist' feature allowing me to mark items as ‘complete’ easily. It's a simple yet effective way for me to keep track of everything that needs to be done and gives me great peace of mind knowing that no detail has been overlooked.

Do you think the environment for women working in the building industry is changing, and if so, how?

Over the years, the building industry has been predominantly male-dominated, with few women working in mainly administrative roles. In my experience, progress in terms of the number of women surveyors has been slow. During my employment, we have had only one female certifier who eventually left to return to her home country. However, I am pleased to say that our current office environment has a good male-to-female ratio. I preferred coming into a male industry after working in a female dominant accounting firm. Despite the slow progress, the environment for women in the building industry is changing, and more opportunities are opening for women to excel, especially in building surveying.

Is technology introduced or mentioned at all during your coursework? Should it be?

Technology relating to building certification has not been introduced or discussed in my certification coursework thus far. However, I do believe that incorporating technology into the curriculum could be beneficial in enhancing the learning experience. For instance, during the module on Inspections, we did talk about Checklists, but we didn't delve into how they could be utilised in real-world situations, such as on a tablet device. Introducing technology into the coursework could provide more practical, hands-on experience and better prepare students for the workforce.

Where do you see this course and study taking you? What is your end goal?

Initially, my aim was to become a Level 3 Certifier and specialise in residential work. However, since enrolling in university, my aspirations have expanded towards commercial projects. I am particularly interested in contributing to school or community-oriented projects that give back to society. Although my daughter will likely have graduated by the time I complete my studies, I am drawn to the idea of working on projects that promote the safety and well-being of children and the community at large. As a mother, I approach every inspection with a keen eye for potential hazards, and I am committed to ensuring that the structures I certify are fully compliant and secure. The satisfaction of knowing that my work contributes to the safety and security of a community is my ultimate goal.

Lastly, would you be willing to share a few words about your experience with Visual Approvals?

When it comes to my experience with Visual Approvals, I must say that Gayle has been an absolute pleasure to work with. She is incredibly helpful and always goes above and beyond to assist us whenever we need it. Prior to using VA, we used a basic access database that served as a simple filing system. However, switching to VA has enabled us to access a wide range of features that have greatly improved our workflow. Although we are still transitioning to fully utilising all the benefits of VA, I am taking things one step at a time to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

Michelle, thank you for sharing your story with us.