Caravan Holiday Parks Accreditation Program

The Caravan Holiday Parks Accreditation Program is about leadership and professionalism. The program identifies industry leaders and recognises their professionalism in achieving benchmark performance levels in customer service, risk management and business planning.

It provides a framework for good business practice and encourages continuous review and improvement. It also provides an assurance to consumers and the industry that operators possess a commitment to quality and good customer service.

Why we do it

  • To provide an industry “cradle to grave” philosophy, giving consumers confidence in the industry by identifying an accreditation key throughout their RV journey;
  • To give consumers greater confidence and better outcomes by ensuring the caravan holiday parks they stay in have better business practices;
  • To better de-risk industry businesses by identifying business process gaps;
  • To provide guidance on risk mitigation.

Why become accredited?

  • Develop a useful, comprehensive business plan for your park;
  • Learn how to gain and maintain more happy customers;
  • Improve productivity and profitability through best practice management strategies for staff, park facilities, environment and customer interactions;
  • Gain competitive advantages through selected marketing campaigns and recognition by the industry as a reliable, and professional operation.

The program may also assist your business in securing business loans and insurance, as accredited operators can demonstrate astute, productive management.

How the program works

The Caravan Holiday Park Accreditation Program has the following characteristics:

  • A single-level program, based on self-assessment and supplemented by an onsite assessment from an independent assessor within the accreditation period;
  • Subject to an annual renewal;
  • Self-funded by the caravan industry;
  • Managed by the industry at national level, (or under sub-licence through a relevant state caravanning association);
  • At an absolute minimum, each member of the program incorporates and adheres to the national standards established by Caravan Industry Association of Australia, which issues the Accreditation Key logo;
  • Consistent with the principle of continuous improvement, the national program will be reviewed regularly.

Requirements

The Caravan Holiday Park Accreditation Program requires businesses to:

1.Register

Initially complete an online registration making declarations as to suitability to be accredited and agreeing that they meet set criteria.

2. Evidence

Provide evidence that the business meets the minimum requirements of the accreditation program relating to the program’s criteria.

3. Independent Assessment

Do a self-declaration, which is supplemented by an onsite assessment by an independent assessor within each three-year period.

4. Ongoing Development

Commit to participate in any agreed future personal development course as requested (on an annual basis and before renewal).

5. Payment

Pay an annual accreditation fee.

Assessment of applications

Caravan Industry Association of Australia assesses applications from caravan holiday park operators. If all criteria are met and accreditation is approved, the applicant is presented with Certificates of Accreditation on behalf of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia.

Renewal and on-going assessments

Accreditation is renewed on an annual basis. The renewal process requires each accredited park to sign a declaration that all documents and compliance are still current, and that implementation of plans is occurring. A renewal fee must also be paid.

An on-site assessment by an independent assessor will be conducted from time-to-time to verify statements made in your application.

Appeals

A procedure for appeals allows operators a right of appeal against decisions relating to the non-approval or removal of accreditation. Appeals are to be made by the operator to Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s Accreditation Programs Manager.

The basis for appeals is to be limited to a refusal to grant accreditation or a removal of accreditation. Criticism of the accreditation program content is not a valid basis for appeal.

Loss of Accreditation

You can lose accreditation if:

  • You fail to maintain compliance with the requirements or fail to pay the required annual fee;
  • There are substantiated complaints about your business reflecting a serious breakdown in a standard required;
  • There are regular, substantiated reports of failure to maintain the defined requirements;
  • If Caravan Industry Association of Australia becomes aware of any of the above situations and advises the operator that it has a maximum of three months to rectify the situation before Caravan Industry Association of Australia acts to remove accreditation.

Licensing agreement and use of logo

Approval of the application for accreditation will give the caravan holiday park operator the right to display the Certificate of Accreditation, the Accreditation Key logo and Code of Conduct. They must be prominently displayed and only used when accreditation is current. The logo may be displayed on any social media pages for your park, your website, brochures, literature or signage.

The accreditation logo remains the property of the issuing authority, Caravan Industry Association of Australia, of whom retains the right to recover use of the logo directly from the individual business. If a caravan holiday park operator has accreditation withdrawn, or chooses not to renew, they are responsible for returning all certificates, signs and logos to Caravan Industry Association of Australia immediately.

Promotion of your accreditation

Promotion of accredited holiday caravan parks will be supported by Caravan Industry Association of Australia from surplus funds derived from this accreditation program.

The onus is on each accredited park to promote the meaning of the logo and the advantages to your customers. Each park is also responsible for meeting customer expectations about accreditation, for maintaining their high standards and for continually seeking to improve their management practices and customer service.

Upon becoming accredited, Caravan Industry Association of Australia will provide each park with:

  • The Accreditation Key logo to display and use in promotional materials;
  • An Accreditation Certificate and Code of Conduct certificate to display;
  • Opportunities to be included in accreditation specific promotions.

Code of Conduct

Each accredited caravan holiday park is obligated to commit to the program’s Code of Conduct – VIEW HERE.

Failure to meet the professional standards and ethical behaviours outlined in the Code of Conduct may result in expulsion from the program.

Cost

The annual fee for the Caravan Holiday Park Accreditation Program is $600 + GST.

All current accredited caravan holiday parks will have their current pricing grandfathered until their renewal in 2027.

Accredited caravan holiday parks will be presented with an Accreditation Key logo that can be displayed with pride. This symbol signifies your commitment to quality business management and customer service.

Check out the Caravan Holiday Parks Accreditation Program flyer: