Introduction to the 2021 National Standard of Competency for Architects

1 Hour Formal CPD

Tuesday 20 May 2025 5:00 - 6:00 pm

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This session will introduce participants to the 2021 National Standard of Competency for Architects and will cover:

• Brief history of when and why competency standards were developed for Australian architects and the evolution of the application of the standards over time
• Features of the 2021 NSCA, including new structure, new content and explanatory notes
• How the 2021 NSCA applies to various assessment pathways leading to registration as an architect
• Changes to NSW CPD requirements from 1 July 2022 to address 2021 NSCA.

About the presenter:

Dr Kirsten Orr is Registrar of the NSW Architects Registration Board and a NSW registered architect.  She has served on two National Panels to review the National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA) in 2006-08 and 2020-21. In 2015 she led the development of the Australian Architectural Education and Competency Framework that made nationally significant policy recommendations on the interpretation and implementation of the NSCA for the accreditation of architecture programs.  This was a joint initiative of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), Australian Institute of Architects, Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia, and Australian Deans of the Built Environment & Design.  Previously she was Professor of Architecture and Dean of the School of Technology, Environments & Design at the University of Tasmania (2016-18); and Assoc Professor at UTS (1999-2015).

Learning outcomes:

This session delivers learning outcomes related to the following Performance Criterion from the 2021 National Standard of Competency for Architects:

PC 1 Comply with the regulatory requirements and obligations pertaining to practice as an architect, including legislation, professional codes of conduct, obligations for continuing professional development and professional indemnity insurance.

Content cuts across the “Professionalism” Professional Capability in the Standard as it relates to understanding and incorporating relevant legislation and statutory building requirements, regulations, standards and codes in all aspects of the provision of architectural services.