In order to be registered as an architect in New South Wales as person must:
• hold a prescribed academic qualification in architecture, or other qualification that the Board deems equivalent. This may also include an approved overseas qualification. Individuals without an academic qualification in architecture must pass a rigorous assessment of relevant experience in order to be considered eligible for registration.
• gain at least two years' approved practical experience
• pass the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) set by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) and conducted by the Board; and
• complete an application for registration for approval by the NSW Architects Registration Board. Registration is renewable annually and subject to payment of a registration fee.
Upon renewal, an architectis issued with a card that includes the registration number and confirms the registration status as an architect in NSW.
Prescribed Qualifications
1. Academic Qualifications
"An individual is entitled to be registered as an architect if: (a) the Board is satisfied that the individual is of good fame and character. (b) the individual has the necessary qualifications for registration as an architect." (S 17 of the Architects Act 2003)
The prescribed qualifications are:
• the Degree of Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Sydney
• the Degree of Bachelor of Architecture from the University of New South Wales
• the Degree of Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Newcastle, or
• the Degree of Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Technology, Sydney
For the purposes of meeting this aspect of the registration requirements, there are provisions for assessing and recognising the equivalence of qualifications gained overseas, and the experience of persons without formal qualifications.
Those registered in other States and Territories of Australia are automatically eligible for registration in NSW.
2. Practical experience
"An individual is entitled to be registered as an architect if: (c) the Board is satisfied that the individual has acquired such practical experience required by the Board as a prerequisite for entry to the examination referred to in paragraph (d)." (S17 of the Architects Act 2003)
Candidates for registration require a minimum aggregate of two years' practical experience recorded in the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia Log Book. Eighteen months of this period of practical experience must be under the supervision of a registered architect, and one year must have been undertaken in Australia after attaining the academic qualification. Practical experience must include work undertaken at varying levels in seven mandatory competencies in the practice of architecture identified in the AACA Log Book. This experience must be recorded in the Log Book and verified by the architect supervisor.
3. Architectural Practice Examination
"An individual is entitled to be registered as an architect if: (d) the individual has, to the satisfaction of the Board, passed an examination in architectural practice arranged or approved by the Board." (S17 of the Architects Act 2003)
The final requirement for registration as an architect in New South Wales is the successful completion of the Architectural Practice Examination(APE).
The APE is set and administered by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia, and conducted on a national basis by the State and Territory Registration Boards. In New South Wales it is conducted by the NSW Architects Registration Board three times each year.
The APE consists of four parts:
Part 1: Eligibility – Examination of Log Book and Statement of Practical Experience.
Part 2: The National Examination Paper (NEP), — to test knowledge and application of the National Competency Standards in Architecture. This one-hour multiple-choice examination is conducted simultaneously by all the State Registration Boards three times per year, and is a prerequisite for admission to Part 3 of the examination.
Part 3: Examination by interview to assess demonstrated knowledge and experience of the Competency Standards in Architecture.
The applicable APE fees are: Parts 1 and 2 —$350; Part 3 — $300
For more information see Circular of Information No 3 — The AACA Architectural Practice Examination.
Architects registered in other States and Territories
Architects who are registered in other States and Territories of Australia are eligible to be registered as an architect in NSW under the Mutual Recognition Act. Registration in NSW requires completion of the prescribed application to the Board together with evidence of current registration, and payment of registration fees. For more information see Circular of Information No 1 - Registration as an Architect in NSW.
Architects qualified overseas
New Zealand and Singapore
Under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTMRA), as referred to in S17 of the Architects Act, architects registered in New Zealand are automatically eligible to apply for registration in NSW.
The Master of Architecture from the National University of Singapore obtained from July 1999 onwards is recognised by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) as equivalent to an approved architectural qualification obtained in Australia. Architecture qualifications from approved institutions in Singapore will also be considered as equivalent to an approved Australian qualification.
Other countries
All qualifications in architecture obtained outside Australia must be accredited by the AACA .
A provisional assessment of equivalence may be obtained by intending migrants before their entry to Australia. While not sufficient for registration, the provisional assessment is a pre-requisite for the Review of Academic Equivalence (RAE) conducted by the AACA in Australia. This is the final assessment of academic qualifications for the purposes of registration. It involves an interview process using competency-based assessment of the National Competency Standards in Architecture.
If a qualification gained overseas is found to be equivalent for the purposes of registration, the applicant will need to fulfil a minimum of two years' approved practical experience in architecture, one of which must be undertaken in an architect's office in Australia. This experience must be recorded in the AACA Log Book. The AACA Architectural Practice Examination (APE) must be successfully completed in order to be eligible for registration.
If the qualification is deemed not equivalent after the RAE, the applicant is notified and advised to undertake additional study of outstanding subjects in a recognised course at an Australian university.
For more information see the AACA website www.aaca.org.au for recognition of overseas qualifications in architecture.
Without formal qualifications
National Program of Assessment (NPrA)
Those who do not have an academic qualification in architecture, or who have a qualification obtained overseas deemed not equivalent, may undertake the National Program of Assessment established by the AACA. The NPrA is based on the National Competency Standards in Architecture. For the purposes of registration, successful completion of the NPRA is equivalent to a prescribed academic qualification in architecture. The NPrA is conducted annually by the AACA.
Those who successfully complete the NPrA must sit the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) in order to be eligible for registration. Candidates will be eligible to apply for the APE after one year of successful completion of the NPrA. The applicant will be required to record the practical experience in the AACA Log Book.
For more information on the NPrA see the AACA website www.aaca.org.au.
Built Work Program of Assessment (BWPrA)
Candidates who do not possess a prescribed architecture qualification may also qualify through the Built Work Program of Assessment established by the NSW Architects Registration Board. Candidates must have design and construction experience gained in Australia over a minimum of ten years and must have authored the design of two built projects – a complex building and a building of moderate complexity.
Those who successfully complete the BWPrA must sit the AACA Architectural Practice Examination (APE) in order to eligible for registration. Candidates may apply for the APE immediately upon successful completion of the BWPrA but will also need to record a minimum of two years' approved practical experience in the AACA Log Book.
Temporary registration of overseas architects
"The Board may register an individual as an architect for a limited period". (S18 of the Architects Act)
The Board must be satisfied that the individual has architectural qualifications and practical experience in another country that demonstrates that they would be capable of practising architecture in NSW with the same competence and skill expected of architects with full registration. The individual must also be of good fame and character. The temporary registration is for a limited period only. It does not apply to those seeking recognition of their overseas qualifications as part of their assessment for immigration to Australia.
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