WIA Exam Charges to Increase from 2 February 2009

From 2 February 2009, the price of WIA examinations will increase to $67.00 (inc. GST).

However, the WIA Board is very pleased to announce that the price increases will not apply to candidates under the age of 18 on the day of assessment. The charge for these candidates will remain $35 (inc. GST), with the exception of practical assessments taken alone, which will increase from $25 to $35.

The price increases are the result of a number of factors.

The date of the increases (2 February 2009) is the anticipated date that the WIA will commence conducting examinations in accordance with proposed new contractual arrangements with ACMA. From that date, the WIA will be obliged to comply with the Commonwealth's Cost Recovery guidelines, with its charges requiring Commonwealth approval. These guidelines require the WIA to charge a price consistent with the full cost of providing the service. The WIA will subsidise the lower charge for candidates under 18.

The work necessary to establish and obtain approval of WIA assessment charges has demonstrated that the WIA is currently undercharging for examination services. A number of new costs have also been incurred. Inflation has added to existing costs. The WIA has taken out a new insurance policy covering the WIA and each individual Assessor against claims arising from alleged improper assessments. There are also additional costs arising from the provision of additional services under the proposed contractual arrangements (for example, the WIA will issue amateur certificates of proficiency to successful examination candidates under the proposed arrangements).

WIA costs and corresponding charges have been verified by the WIA's auditors and ACMA.

The WIA is a not-for-profit organisation established to promote amateur radio. The price increases are due entirely to increased costs, the adoption of full cost recovery and the provision of additional services. The larger part of the work associated with the conduct of assessments is still provided on a voluntary basis by people who believe that amateur radio is worth promoting and encouraging.

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