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We’re excited to announce some important changes to our professional development program that will come into effect on 15 October 2025.
From that date, we are replacing our Director Professional Development (DPD) program with a new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program. Instead of earning ‘units’ by attending events and educational courses, members will instead accrue ‘points’.
But it’s more than just a name change.
CPD is a term used by many professional bodies and membership organisations in Australia and internationally. It emphasises the importance of continual learning for professionals.
It’s a way of ensuring that our members remain at the forefront of contemporary governance and is integral to our purpose statement of benefiting society through world class governance.
What’s changing?
The new program will make it simpler for AICD members to track their points as they will be tallied annually instead of over three years.
Until now, members with professional development requirements have needed to earn 60 units over three years, but in future they’ll need to earn 20 points per year.
There are many ways to earn points including:
Live and/or recorded, our webinars are an efficient way to fuel your knowledge on current governance issues.
Our calendar of flagship courses, short courses and programs covers various areas of governance and stages of directorship.
Events are a great way to earn CPD points while gaining unrivalled insights, making new connections and nurturing existing ones.
Australia's leading magazine for directors, with all the news and features on the legal, economic and strategic issues affecting your board.
Whether you're a seasoned director or starting your governance career, these podcasts will give you valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of the modern boardroom and economy.
Another helpful change is that attending the Company Directors Course, which previously gave 50 DPD points spread over two years, will now be worth 60 points over three years.
Why the change?
Feedback from members about the DPD program indicated widespread confusion about how units are accrued over a rolling three-year term.
Many of our members suggested it would be easier to track if we switched to the more common procedure of annual totals instead - with very few members advocating for retaining the three-year tally.
Transition period
To help with the move to CPD points, there will be a transition period until 31 October 2026.
That means, at their next renewal, members can either have earned:
- 60 units over their current three-year period, or
- 20 points in their current membership year (from their last renewal to their next renewal).
After that date, the requirement will be 20 points per membership year.
After 15 October 2025, members may notice that their CPD total is less than their previous DPD total because only those units or points earned since their last renewal will be shown. However, at their next renewal, the AICD will still accept every unit or point accrued in their current three-year period.
To calculate their tally over the last three-year rolling period, members can look in the CPD History tab in their CPD Dashboard and add up the points from their renewal date two years ago to now.
Member transition points example
The member below is due to renew on 30 June 2026.
Her current three-year DPD period is from 1/07/2023 – 30/06/2026.
- She has met the 60 DPD unit requirement over her rolling three-year period with a total of 80 DPD units.
- On 15 October her CPD dashboard will show as 0 CPD points, but that’s OK.
- She does not need to meet the new 20 CPD points in her current membership year of 1/07/2025 – 30/06/2026, because she meets her current three-year DPD requirement.
Find out more
For any questions or concerns, please contact Member Support, by calling 1300 739 119 (+61 2 8248 8440 from overseas) or email us at membership@aicd.com.au.
You can also contact your Membership Relationship Partner.
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