Background

Following a lengthy consultation process with members, the Statistical Society of Australia instituted a scheme for accrediting statisticians in 1996. The necessary changes to the Rules and Regulations were endorsed at the 1996 Annual General Meeting of the SSA.

 The prime objective of the Accredited Statistician (AStat) scheme is to indicate to the non-statistical community that the holder has achieved an acceptable level of professional competence in the understanding and application of statistical methods and is bound by the Code of Conduct of the SSA. It is important to the reputation of the statistical profession that only those persons who satisfy the specified criteria are accredited, otherwise the reputation of our profession is at risk. A member with the qualification of Accredited Statistician may use the abbreviation AStat. The SSA recognises that there will be relatively inexperienced but qualified statisticians who want some recognition to support their professional world. For this reason, we have introduced a Graduate Statistician (GStat) scheme. The GStat qualification is intended primarily to indicate that the holder has recently completed a course of study equivalent to a degree course with a Major in Statistics, including Graduate Diplomas. To be able to apply for Accreditation, applicants must be members of the SSA.

Evaluation of Applications

An Accreditation Committee has been established to make recommendations to Council about applications for accreditation. The Committee comprises six members chosen to represent the Branches and interests of the Society, the statistical profession and various areas of statistical expertise. Except for the initial Committee, Committee members will serve for three years, with two members retiring each year. The Accreditation Committee (or a sub-committee of it) will assess all applications on the basis of information provided, and reports by referees. The Committee reserves the right to seek additional material if it is felt desirable. The recommendations of the Committee are sent to Council for approval. Explanations for non-acceptance will be made and are provided to applicants when notified in writing of the outcome.

Find out more about the application process here.

Recognition of Professional Accreditation by other Societies

Financial members of the SSA who have been awarded Professional Statistician (P.Stat) status by the American Statistical Association (ASA) or Chartered Statistician (C.Stat) status by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) and whose professional accreditation is current, and members who have been awarded P.Stat status by the Statistical Society of Canada (SSC) within the past five years are automatically eligible to become an Accredited Statistician with the SSA.

Moreover the ASA and the SSC also recognise our A.Stat award as equivalent to P.Stat. For further information and to apply to the ASA click here or to apply to SSC here. 

In addition, SSA and the Federation of European National Statistical Societies (FENStatS) have come to an agreement regarding reciprocal accreditation. Based on the agreement, FENStatS accredited professionals are automatically eligible for AStat accreditation through the SSA. Likewise, SSA AStat accredited members are eligible for FENStatS accreditation.

When applying with FENStatS, our members will have to provide ID, a “summary of application”, a copy of their AStat certificate, a copy of their CV and proof that they are a current member of SSA.

Click here for more information and to access FENSTATS application portal.   

Maintenance of Accredited Qualification

Accredited qualification is rescinded on cessation of membership of the Society but restored on resumption of membership of the Society within five years of membership cessation. An accredited member may choose to terminate accreditation. Accreditation may be reinstated at the discretion of the Committee and Council, subject to the maintenance requirement below. Accredited Statisticians shall provide to the Accreditation Committee every five years, including any years of cessation of membership of the Society or accredited membership a summary of their activities in those five years, to demonstrate at least continuing contact/involvement with statistics and the practice of statistics appropriate to them, plus the name of one referee to be contacted if the Committee so desires. The Committee will take into account temporary interruptions to employment including those for parental leave. Please click here to download the Reaccreditation Application Form.

Appeals

An appeal against an unsuccessful application for accreditation may only be made on the basis of procedural error. An applicant has four weeks from the date of receipt of notification of the unsuccessful application to lodge an appeal with the Society Secretary. The appeals will be considered by the Executive of the Society. Their decision will be final.

Code of Conduct

Accredited Statisticians are required to comply with the SSA’s Code of Conduct. Those who do not in the opinion of the Accreditation Committee, comply with the Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action.

Confidentiality

Applications and maintenance reports may be accessed by the Committee during considerations but are stored confidentially. Part or any of their contents may be released only with the consent of the member concerned. In the case of an appeal, Executive of the Society may also access the papers relevant to the appeal.

Disciplinary Issues

Accreditation may be revoked by Council, on the recommendation of the Accreditation Committee if, in the opinion of the Accreditation Committee, an Accredited Statistician:

• has refused or neglected to comply with the provisions of the SSA’s Rules,
• has willfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the SSA or the statistical profession, including non-compliance with the Code of Conduct, or
• has supplied incorrect information in an application for accreditation or maintenance.