Mistakes? We've seen a few

As the actuarial profession in North America moves towards recognition of university studies for the purpose of professional qualification, it is timely to consider what may be learned from the Australian experience. Professional bodies have been accrediting Australian university actuarial programs since 1969. This paper examines the Australian actuarial qualification process from the perspective of what makes a good education system, and notes that there are a number of constraints imposed by the profession that impair the quality of students' learning outcomes. The paper goes on to suggest how these pitfalls might be avoided in the interests of providing future actuaries with an opportunity to develop the attributes they will need for their professional careers.