The Social Impact Assessment Certification

The CEnvP Scheme’s award-winning Social Impact Assessment Specialist (CEnvP-SIA) certification provides assurance of professional expertise in planning, managing and assessing to improve social outcomes.

Launched in 2022, this certification is the first of its kind globally and sets the standard for identifying and managing social issues within project development. As a result, the CEnvP Scheme was awarded the International Association of Impact Assessment’s (IAIA) Institutional Award in 2024.

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‘‘The CEnvP Scheme has played a pivotal role in supporting the first Social Impact Assessment (SIA) certification of its kind worldwide. This initiative has provided a scheme that elevates the standards of SIA practice, acknowledges the critical skillset and experience required to undertake effective SIA, and which links professionals to a growing community of practice. I believe having a SIA certification is a groundbreaking achievement on a global scale.’

Dr. Sheridan Coakes, SIA-SEAC Chair and National Social Practice Lead, Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants

Key Requirements

Educational Qualifications

A degree in social science, an environmental related field, or a degree paired with a postgraduate qualification in a social related discipline. For those that do not have a social science related degree, social science related subjects are desirable.

Referee Statements

Written references from three experienced social or environmental professionals. Each must have known you for at least two years in roles such as supervisor, educator, senior peer or client.

Work Experience

Ten (10) years of full-time equivalent experience in the functional areas of Social Practice gained in the last seventeen (17) years, with minimum of five (5) years in the functional areas of Social Impact Assessment.
 

Experience in lieu of education

Fifteen (15) years of full-time equivalent experience in the functional areas of social practice including five (5) years of SIA, or ten (10) years in the functional areas of Social Impact Assessment.

Why become a CEnvP Social Impact Assessment Specialist?

Meet the industry demands of Social Impact Assessment

Social Impact Assessment’s critical role in identifying, assessing and managing social impacts requires transparent and comprehensive processes that ensure ethical project development and management. Ensure your expertise is formally recognised and position yourself as an SIA professional capable of meeting the highest industry standards.

Gain recognition and unlock career opportunities

The Certified Environmental Practitioner Scheme (CEnvP) is a recognised benchmark of excellence, able to provide you with independent validation of your expertise in assessing and managing social impact and practice. Endorsed by industry leaders and regulators, this credential establishes your credibility as a trusted professional capable of meeting the highest standards of rigour and reliability.

Certified practitioners gain access to sought-after roles across consulting, corporate sustainability, and government, positioning them to lead in social impact assessment, regulatory compliance, and strategic decision-making. Enhance your professional standing and expand your career opportunities in a rapidly growing field.

“Certification is an important achievement for me. It reflects the view among your peers that you are suitably qualified and experienced to practise competently and ethically. I am incredibly humbled to receive this certification, especially knowing there are many great SIA practitioners who are at least equally well qualified and/or experienced. I look forward to being one among many certified SIA practitioners, all dedicated to achieving equitable and sustainable social and cultural outcomes through collaborative practice.”

– Dr. Richard Parsons, CEnvP SIA #001 and Principal Social Consultant, Umwelt Environmental & Social Consultants

Be part of a trusted network of Social Impact Assessment professionals

The CEnvP Social Impact Assessment Specialist certification connects you with a distinguished community of professionals who uphold the highest standards in social practice. This network plays a vital role in advancing best practices, informing regulatory developments, and supporting organisations in meeting mandatory reporting requirements. As a CEnvP-SIA, you’ll be part of a trusted collective that not only enhances professional standards but also shapes the policies and frameworks critical to achieving global sustainability goals.

Steered by leaders in your field  

All CEnvP specialisations are steered by a committee of experts to maintain the certification’s rigour, impartiality, and alignment with current and emerging requirements. The Specialist Environmental Advisory Committee (SIA-SEAC) is comprised of experts from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and Europe, including academics and senior executives from the Australian National University (ANU), the New Zealand Transport Agency and Community Insights Group.

Because this certification is aligned with the expertise of this esteemed committee, you gain a credential that is widely trusted by regulators, industry, and organisations. This ensures your professional expertise is recognised as the benchmark of reliability and integrity in practice, positioning you to confidently assert your knowledge of social practice.

Creating the Social Impact Assessment Specialist Certification

In August 2021, the CEnvP Scheme began developing a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) specialist certification. By November 2022, this global-first certification was launched with the guidance of a Specialist Environmental Advisory Committee (SIA-SEAC).

The Scheme’s commitment to ensuring talented, skilled, and ethical environmental and social professionals are given due recognition through a robust and impartial certification process remained steadfast the development of the SIA specialist certification.

The SIA specialist certification serves to bolster the recognition of SIA/social practitioners across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand as valued and effective experts in development, planning and decision-making processes.

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