Registered Architects
The use of the title "architect" is strictly regulated. It is reserved by law throughout Australia (and in a great many countries overseas). Under s. 9 of the NSW Architects Act 2003, a person may use the title "architect" only if he or she is an architect as defined under s. 4 – a person registered as an architect under the Act. Architects are listed on the Register of Architects maintained by the NSW Architects Registration Board.
Listed architect corporations or firms
Under s. 10 of the Architects Act, only firms which nominate at least one registered architect to the Board may hold themselves out as an architect firm. The "nominated" architect is ultimately responsible for the architectural services provided by that firm. Firms who nominate at least one registered architect are included on the List of Architect Corporations and Firms maintained by the Board.
Representing as an architect
The Act prohibits individuals or corporations from representing themselves or others as an architect when they are not entitled to do so; that is, when they are not on the NSW Register of Architects or the List of Architect Corporations and Firms.
To represent as an architect means, under s. 15, to "claim and hold out as an architect". Under s. 13, an unregistered individual or unlisted firm may be considered to be representing itself or another as an architect by using the titles architect or registered architect or architect firm. Under that section, representing inaccurately as an architect also includes using other descriptions that indicate, or can be understood to indicate, or are calculated to lead a person to infer, that the person is an architect. This would include terms such as graduate architect, architectural design or architectural services.
Under s. 9 and 10 of the Act, penalties may be imposed on individuals or firms who represent themselves as an architect when they are not on the Register or List.
The maximum penalty is $11,000 for an individual and $22,000 for a firm. See Disciplinary Actions and Penalties.
Exceptions
There are some exceptions to the above restrictions under s. 14 of the Act:
• an employee of an architect may use the title architectural assistant, architectural technician, or architectural drafter or draftsman
• no restrictions are placed upon a person using the title landscape architect, naval architect or computer systems architect
• a person who holds an architectural qualification may describe him/herself as holding that qualification
• nothing prohibits a person from using the word "architectural" to describe the business of supplying goods in connection with architecture
• persons who are registered in another State or Territory, or in New Zealand, may use the title "architect" if they indicate the jurisdiction in which they are registered, and notify the Board of their intention to use the title.
Register of Architects or List of Architect Corporations and Firms
To view the Register and the List, see the NSW Register of Architectsand the List of NSW Architect Corporations and Firms.
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