Caravan Industry Salesperson Accreditation Program

The Caravan Industry Salesperson Accreditation Program (CISAP) has been established to allow consumers to identify industry leaders in sales and service and recognise their professionalism and knowledge of Australian Consumer Law (ACL) requirements, as well as best practice customer service and ethical sales behaviours.

This program has been designed to give consumers better outcomes by setting a standard for the knowledge, professionalism and ethical behaviours of salespeople within the Australian recreational vehicle (RV) industry.

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 through increased knowledge (particularly of Australian Consumer Law requirements), professionalism and ethical behaviours of RV salespeople;
  • To better de-risk industry businesses from future consumer action stemming from the sales process and statements made by RV salespeople;
  • To protect “brand caravan.”

Why become accredited?

  • Differentiate yourself and your business in the market through a higher level of sales knowledge and professionalism, helping consumers make better informed choices;
  • Gain a marketing advantage through an industry accreditation program and key branding, helping to increase brand recognition and credibility;
  • Increased consumer confidence in dealing with an informed, professional, and ethical sales professional.

Each accredited salesperson will be recognised by an identification badge visible to the consumer. The badge includes a unique accreditation number, the name of the salesperson, a photo of the salesperson and an accreditation expiry date (valid for one year).

How the program works

CISAP requires RV salespeople applying for accreditation to have a high level of understanding of a range of criteria areas. To ensure all accredited salespeople meet this standard, applicants must successfully complete an online quiz.

The quiz includes elements from the following criteria areas:

  • General sales, ethics and customer service
  • Australian Consumer Law
  • Workplace health and safety
  • Industry information
  • Product knowledge

CISAP does not replace the need for a licence where a specific state requires one to sell an RV.

Requirements

On an annual basis, CISAP requires individuals to:

  • Complete an online registration;
  • Declare they are eligible to be accredited;
  • Declare they are not an undischarged bankrupt, have not been convicted of an indictable offence of dishonesty, or have not been convicted of a summary offence of dishonesty in the last ten years;
  • Confirm they are not currently disqualified or suspended from carrying on an occupation, business or trade under a law of any state or the Commonwealth;
  • Participate in a mandated personal development program where required;
  • Make payment of an annual accreditation fee;
  • Successfully complete an online accreditation quiz (annually);
  • Continually meet professional standards and ethical behaviour outlined in the CISAP Code (below).

Validity of accreditation status is for one (1) year.

After successfully passing the annual assessment and paying the annual fee, accredited salespeople will be issued a new certificate and badge with an updated accreditation expiry date.

A police check may be requested by Caravan Industry Association of Australia at any time during the individual’s accreditation. It is the individual’s responsibility to organise the police check at their own cost.

CISAP Code

To uphold the high standards of salespeople in the Caravan Industry Salesperson Accreditation Program (CISAP), accredited individuals must adhere to professional standards and ethical behaviours outlined in the CISAP Code.

The CISAP Code requires each individual to:

  • Maintain a good working knowledge of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) with respect to dealing with consumers in the RV industry and ensuring that the law is followed;
  • Ensure that any promise made to a consumer can be satisfied;
  • Treat consumers in a fair and equitable manner free of discrimination;
  • Acknowledge and respond promptly and courteously to consumer concerns;
  • Guarantee that any practice, behaviour or sales tactic that may deliberately undermine a competitor and breach the ACL does not occur;
  • Ensure that all activities are in keeping with all federal and state regulations;
  • Conduct business in a dignified and honourable manner, with a view to maintaining the highest ideals of the industry.

Costs

The cost of accreditation is $165.00 per year per individual (incl GST), which is non-refundable. If the individual is not successful completing the accreditation online quiz three times, there will be an additional fee of $55 (including GST) for the individual to re-sit the questionnaire.

From 2025, RVMAP businesses and accredited dealerships who book and pay for their staff to become accredited will qualify for a discounted rate of $82.50 per year per individual (incl GST). If you are an RVMAP business or accredited dealership, please email your interest to [email protected].

Sustainability of the program is of a key concern. Therefore, an ongoing assessment of all running costs will be completed, with an annual review of fees based on these costs. Administration and assessment costs mean all fees paid are non-refundable should the individual be unsuccessful in obtaining accreditation or subsequently lose their accreditation status.

Complaints and dispute resolution

All accredited RV salespeople must adhere to the professional standards and ethical behaviour outlined in the CISAP Code (above). Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the program.

Should you suspect an accredited salesperson is in breach of the code, the CISAP complaint process is set out below.  The process is in place to ensure both confidence to the consumer and the integrity of the program.

CISAP complaint process

  • Individuals will be allocated demerit points for breaches of the CISAP criteria.
  • If an individual receives two (2) penalty demerit points within a two-year period, their accreditation will be withdrawn.
  • There are deemed to be both *low graded and **high graded criteria breaches.
  • Low graded criteria breaches incur one (1) demerit point for each instance, with high graded criteria breeches resulting in the individual’s accreditation being withdrawn immediately.
  • A panel represented by Caravan Industry Association of Australia, the state association from where the salesperson has their principal place of residence, and a third person agreed upon between these two parties who will investigate any complaint received and determine the appropriate outcome. Outcomes may include the issuing of a warning, or the allocation of penalty demerit points against accreditation.  The decision of the panel is final.

Use of the logo

Granting of CISAP accreditation gives the individual the right to display the accreditation certificate and badge, along with the use of the CISAP Accreditation Key logo. The following requirements are in place for those wishing to use the logo:

  • CISAP Accreditation Key logos are for use only in accordance with the guidelines provided by Caravan Industry Association of Australia and only when accreditation is current;
  • The CISAP Accreditation Key logo may be displayed on the individual’s business card or email signature. Use of the logo is not permitted on goods or saleable products.  The CISAP Accreditation Key logo is not an indication that goods or a product has been approved but is an indication that an individual has met the criteria of the program;
  • CISAP Accreditation Key logos, however displayed, remain the property of the issuing authority (Caravan Industry Association of Australia), who retain the right to recover use of the logos from the individual. If an individual has their CISAP accreditation withdrawn, or chooses not to renew, it is the individual’s responsibility to return any certificates, badges, and / or logos to Caravan Industry Association of Australia immediately.

The logo is trademarked to protect its use and the integrity of the accreditation program.

Accredited individuals will be presented with a copy of the CISAP Accreditation Key logo. This symbol signifies your commitment to quality and professionalism in sales and customer service.