It has certainly been a hectic seven months, but I’m incredibly proud of what has been achieved across the AIOH this year. Behind the scenes, Council, our committees, sub-committees, boards and the AIOH office have been working hard to modernise the Institute; reviewing our governance framework, strengthening policies and procedures, improving office operations, advocating on behalf of the profession, and expanding the events and services we provide to members. It really is a team effort, and I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed their time, expertise and enthusiasm.
Beyond 45 – A New Chapter Our Beyond 45 project to revitalise the AIOH committee structure is now well and truly bedding down. It’s been wonderful to see our new committees and sub-committees taking shape and getting on with the important work of supporting the profession. As with any significant organisational change, there will always be opportunities to refine and improve the way we operate. If you have any feedback on the new structure, what’s working well or where we could do better, I’d genuinely love to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to send me an email with your thoughts at president@aioh.org.au. The AIOH Annual Members Survey is also still open; members’ feedback is vital in helping us continue to build our institute.
Governance Project Update The Executive has continued working closely with Mills Oakley on one of the most significant governance projects currently underway: the development of a new AIOH Constitution and By-Laws. We aim to have draft documents ready for distribution to members before the end of the year. We also intend to hold an online Town Hall meeting, providing members with an opportunity to learn more about the proposed changes, ask questions, and provide feedback before any decisions are made. This work is an important step in ensuring the AIOH has a modern governance framework that will support our profession well into the future.
I Can’t Believe It’s Almost Conference Time! Where has the year gone? There are now only three and a half months until AIOH26, and planning is well advanced. The Conference Committee and our events team, led by Kelly Phypers, have been working incredibly hard to develop what promises to be another outstanding scientific and professional program, and I’m really looking forward to welcoming everyone to Brisbane. If you haven’t registered yet, don’t forget that Early Bird registrations are still available, so now is a great time to secure your place.
Policy Updates Council continues to review and strengthen the professional framework that underpins our Institute. A comprehensive review of our:
is nearing completion. These documents have been reviewed extensively by Council, the Governance, Risk, and Strategy Advisory Committee and the Professional Conduct and Ethics Sub-Committee. They will be published on our website for members to access as they are approved by Council. These updated documents will help ensure our professional standards remain contemporary, transparent and reflective of the values expected of AIOH members.
Membership Updates Our Membership Manager, Alicia Gorman, has also been leading several exciting membership initiatives. A new Logo and Post-nominal Policy and Guide have been developed and are also expected to be released following next week’s Council meeting. One change members will soon notice is the introduction of a prefix to membership badge numbers:
These prefixes may also be included in your professional email signature in accordance with the new guide. I’d also like to remind members that the AIOH name and logo should not be displayed on company websites or promotional material without prior approval from AIOH Council.
Finally, we’re excited to soon launch our new AIOH Partners Program. If your organisation is interested in learning more, please contact Alicia membership@aioh.org.au to be added to the mailing list for future announcements.
Public Policy and Advocacy One of the AIOH’s core roles is advocating on behalf of the occupational hygiene profession, and it has been a busy few months. The Institute has recently lodged several submissions, including our response to Safe Work Australia’s public consultation on Welding. I’m also delighted to share some fantastic news from our Public Policy Sub-Committee. Thanks to the Committee’s persistence and continued advocacy, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has, for the first time, included “Occupational Hygienist” as a standalone occupation within the draft Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA). This follows our formal submission to the ABS in April this year, building on advocacy undertaken over several years. It is an important milestone for our profession and one that will improve recognition of occupational hygienists across Australia. Public consultation on the draft OSCA remains open until 18 September, and the AIOH will be responding to formally acknowledge and welcome this important change.
Other Projects Underway Our committees continue to make great progress on several important projects that will benefit both our members and the wider community. The Technical Advisory Sub-Committee is hard at work on several projects, including revamping the shift adjustment tool and undertaking important updates to both the AIOH Silica Hub and the Breathe Freely Australia websites. These are some of the Institute’s flagship resources, providing practical, evidence-based information for occupational hygienists, employers, workers and the broader public. We look forward to sharing the refreshed content with members in the coming months. The Professional Development Sub-Committee, working in partnership with the Professional Conduct and Ethics Sub-Committee, is also developing a new self-paced, online, case-study-based Professional Ethics learning program. Built around our updated Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct and Professional Conduct, Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures, the program will provide members with practical guidance on applying ethical principles to real-world occupational hygiene scenarios. We are aiming to launch the program before the end of the year. The Research and Innovation Sub-Committee is working on a research project on indoor air quality, which includes the development of an indoor air quality survey for AIOH members.
Inaugural AIOH Young Leaders Academy Preparation for the inaugural AIOH Young Leaders Academy (AYLA) workshop is well underway, with the core team responsible for delivering and supporting the program now in place. Claire, from our events team, will coordinate the workshop and serve as the primary contact for all administrative matters. We have been delighted by both the high number and exceptional quality of applications received. Our team is now carefully reviewing each application to select the final group of participants.
Celebrate Excellence – AIOH Awards A reminder that nominations are now open for this year’s AIOH Awards. I encourage everyone to consider either applying themselves or nominating a deserving colleague for one of our awards, including:
Our awards are a fantastic opportunity for members to be recognised for their contributions and to advance their careers.
Vale – Paul Ludowyk It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Paul Ludowyk a few weeks ago. Paul was well known and respected by many long-standing members of the Institute and made a significant contribution to occupational hygiene over many years. On behalf of the AIOH, I extend our sincere condolences to Paul’s family, friends and colleagues.
ARPAB Representative Opportunity Expressions of Interest are currently open for an AIOH representative on the Australian Radiation Protection Accreditation Board (ARPAB). to express your interest, please fill out the EOI located on the members portal. ARPAB plays an important role in the certification of Radiation Safety Advisors and Radiation Safety Experts, and this is an excellent opportunity for a member with an interest in radiation protection to contribute nationally.
I would also like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Dean Crouch, who has represented the AIOH on ARPAB for many years. Dean has played an instrumental role in helping shape and guide the Board, and we are extremely grateful for his outstanding contribution.
Upcoming Events There are plenty of opportunities over the coming weeks to connect with fellow members and continue your professional development.
On 27 August, we have an exciting webinar: The Agentic AI Revolution in H&S: Moving from Reactive Firefighting to Predictive Prevention, presented by Muriel Demarcus, CEO of Marsham Edge, a Singapore-based technology company specialising in predictive AI and anomaly detection for major projects.
Also on 27 August, our South Australian Chapter will host a technical meeting exploring an innovative Australian technology designed to reduce diesel engine emissions and improve workplace health outcomes, followed by networking with local members. Our next Basic Principles of Occupational Hygiene Course will be held in Brisbane from 7–11 September 2026 at the Courtyard by Marriott Brisbane South Bank. As always, I encourage you to keep an eye on the AIOH website for our full calendar of webinars, technical meetings, networking opportunities and professional development events.
Thank You Thank you for your continued support of the AIOH and for everything you do to protect the health of Australian workers. It is an exciting time for our profession, and I look forward to continuing to work with all of you as we build an even stronger Institute for the future. I hope to see many of you online or at one of our upcoming events and, before we know it, in Brisbane for AIOH26.
Dr Kelly Johnstone President 2026
