Continuing professional development
Demonstrate your commitment to HR excellence through continuing professional development (CPD) and contribute to advancing the HR profession.
Maintain your CPD points to elevate your HR career
Capability
and skills
Impact
your organisation
Connection
professional network
Currency
the latest HR insights
60 hours
over 3 years
Required for AHRI professional member grades:
- Professional—MAHRI
- Certified—CPHR
- Fellow Certified —FCPHR
Member CPD requirements:
- As an AHRI member (except members excluded in by-law 4) you must complete the minimum required hours of CPD every three years to maintain your membership level.
- The three-year period is a rolling period, which means when a membership CPD audit is conducted you must have completed the CPD points within the previous three-year period.
- It’s important to keep a record of your CPD activities to ensure you are meeting the requirements of your membership.
- As an AHRI member you can record your CPD in your member portal.
- We recommend keeping evidence of your CPD, including copies of your qualifications, attendance certificates, copies of articles you have written or presentations given.
- Your CPD activities, undertaken through AHRI, will automatically be applied to your membership.
Types of CPD
1
Formal Education
2
Learning Activities
This area covers recognised and structured training that is not part of a formal award or accreditation process and generally does not involve structured assessment.
Learning activities can include:
- Non-assessed courses offered by education and learning institutions, professional bodies and employers (delivered face-to-face, distance and online)
- Attendance at professional HR events such as AHRI network forum presentations
- Non-assessed professional training organised through the employer
Examples:
3
Conferences
You can claim conference attendance as CPD provided the content relates to your professional development.
CPD points are generally calculated on the basis of the number of hours spent attending formal presentations and exclude meal breaks, social events and travelling.
Examples:
- AHRI National Convention & Exhibition
- AHRI State Conferences
- Conferences focused on HR/Business acumen or leadership
4
Presentation of Papers/Contribution to intellectual capital
You can claim CPD points for preparation and presentation at conferences, symposia, seminars, articles, blogs etc. which are conducted beyond normal employment.
For this to be considered CPD, it must extend knowledge in your area of HR practice and contribute to your capabilities as a HR professional.
CPD points are generally calculated on the basis of the number of hours required in preparing, researching and presenting.
Examples:
- Presenting at an AHRI network forum, webinar or event
- Presentations in academic contexts such as university conferences or symposia
- Writing a HR blog
5
Industry Involvement
HR professionals employed in academic positions are expected to foster links with industry for the benefit of HR education, research and practice in Australia.
This requirement also ensures that academics are exposed to development in HR practices outside their University or TAFE Institution.
Industry involvement can include:
- Consulting services
- Industry partnership/supervision in research
- Sabbaticals to industry and return to industry
- Industry committees for course development
CPD hours are calculated based on the number of hours of involvement.
6
Service to the HR Profession
Service to the profession is a valid form of CPD particularly where it extends the development of the person making the contribution.
For AHRI members, service to the HR profession may include:
- Standing as an AHRI council member
- Volunteering as an AHRI network convenor and committee member
- Judging for the AHRI Awards programs
- Contribution to AHRI committees and panels
- Participating in an AHRI Mentoring Program as a mentor
- Writing articles for HR or business magazines or journals
- Participation in AHRI research
CPD hours are calculated based on the number of hours of actual involvement.
7
Informal Learning
There is considerable scope for informal learning away from the work environment. Discussion groups, webinars, books, journals, newspapers, television, and radio programs provide a wealth of professional development material.
Examples:
- Reading HR relevant magazines and journals, including those published by AHRI
- Contribute to advancing the HR profession by sharing your HR knowledge and expertise within AHRI’s LinkedIn Member Lounge.
CPD points are calculated based on the number of hours of actual involvement.
CPD audit
Each year AHRI conducts a CPD audit for professional members required to record CPD activity.
Members will be contacted throughout the audit if AHRI seeks further clarification on their CPD activities. Please contact the member services should you have any questions.
Upcoming CPD opportunities at AHRI
Access leading insights from respected thought-leaders and networking opportunities at AHRI events
Enhance your leadership and business skills by enrolling in one of AHRI’s 50+ short courses on offer.
Are you a Professional—MAHRI member? Take the next step in your HR career by becoming a CPHR.
FAQs
How do I update my CPD points?
- Login to your profile
- Select My CPD under the My Account menu option
- Your CPD snapshot will appear. Scroll down the page to the section ‘Create CPD points’.
- Enter the required fields:
a. Date Completed
b. Points (1 point = 1 hour)
c. Type
d. Provider
e. Description of CPD Activity - Select the Submit button to apply new record
How often should I update my CPD record?
AHRI recommends that you update your CPD record via your member dashboard on a monthly basis OR as you complete CPD. You may choose to update your record more or less regularly but setting a monthly reminder for the first of the month can be a great habit to implement.
I’ve attended an AHRI event or short course. How long will it take for my CPD points to be applied to my member record?
Please allow up to eight weeks for your CPD points to appear on your CPD record. If you wish to discuss this with a member of our team, please contact AHRI’s Member Engagement team.
I’m participating in the AHRI Mentoring Program. When will AHRI update my CPD record?
Participating Mentees and Mentors receive 32 CPD points for completing AHRI’s Mentoring Program. Your CPD points will automatically be applied to your CPD record at the completion of the program.
I am located outside of Australia or in a remote location and cannot attend AHRI events. How do I complete the required number of CPD hours?
AHRI offers a range of digital options for PD which you may like to consider when planning your professional development:
- Recorded webinars
- HRM news and magazine
- Short courses by virtual workshop
- HR Certification Micro-credentials offered in a self-led distance mode.
You may also like to consider attending HR related conferences, events, seminars or short courses near you (which do not need to be formally recognised by AHRI).





