ARB CPD Webinars

CPD bookings will be managed via Zoom, and listed on this page. Some events may require a free Zoom account, link here for more information.

The following program will be updated regularly with dates and availability:

Systemic Risks in the Australian Architecture Sector
1 Hour Formal CPD
Tuesday 17 October 2023, 5.00 - 6.00pm. Register here.
Friday 16 February 2024, 1.00 - 2.00pm. Register here.
Tuesday 21 May 2024, 5.00 - 6.00pm. Register here.

Download the CPD Question Sheet for this Webinar  Self-assessment questions_Systemic risks in the Australian architecture sector.pdf or Self-assessment questions_Systemic risks in the Australian architecture sector.docx 

In 2022, the NSW Architects Registration Board (NSW ARB) partnered with the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) to identify current and future systemic compliance issues and associated risks affecting regulation of the architecture profession in Australia.

The project was initiated in light of:

• recent developments affecting the profession
• high-profile cases here and abroad alleging negligence of architects
• reviews of the Australian construction sector that have raised questions about the role of architects in sectoral outcomes, and 
• various emerging disruptive forces that may impact the provision of architectural services by architects.

The final report, Research Project on Systemic Risks in the Australian Architecture Sector, is available to download from the publications page of our website here.

This webinar presents the research findings and is designed to provide some guidance on the proactive steps that architects can take to mitigate their exposure to risks and liability.

About the Presenter:

Dr Kirsten Orr is Registrar of the NSW Architects Registration Board, a Director of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia and a NSW registered architect.

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.

Continuing Professional Development Requirements for NSW Architects
1 Hour Formal CPD
Friday 24 November 2023, 1.00 - 2.00pm. Register here.
Wednesday 21 February 2024, 5.00 - 6.00pm. Register here.
Friday 31 May 2024, 1.00 - 2.00pm. Register here.

Download the CPD Question Sheet for this Webinar  Self-assessment questions_CPD requirements for NSW architects.pdf or Self-assessment questions_CPD requirements for NSW architects.docx

It is recommended that participants familiarise themselves with the Factsheet on Continuing Professional Development before joining the session.

From 1 July 2022 the NSW Architects Registration Board is introducing changes to Continuing Professional Development requirements for NSW architects. This includes new mandatory content requirements for Formal CPD, changes to when and how often CPD reporting is required, and how CPD is to be recorded. This webinar is designed to answer your questions about the changes.

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.

Introduction to the 2021 National Standard of Competency for Architects
1 Hour Formal CPD
Friday 1 December 2023, 1.00 – 2.00pm. Register here.
Tuesday 5 March 2024, 5.00 - 6.00pm. Register here.
Friday 14 June 2024, 1.00 - 2.00pm. Register here.

Download the CPD Question Sheet for this Webinar Self-assessment questions_Introduction to 2021 NSCA.pdf or Self-assessment questions_Introduction to 2021 NSCA.docx

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.  Kirsten is currently a Director of the AACA and a Member of the AACA Accreditation Management Committee. 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.

How architects are regulated in NSW
1 Hour Formal CPD
Tuesday 31 October 2023, 5.00 - 6.00pm. Register here.
Friday 19 April 2024, 1.00 - 2.00pm. Register here.

Download the CPD Question Sheet for this Webinar [Self-assessment questions_How architects are regulated in NSW.pdf] or [Self-assessment questions_How architects are regulated in NSW.docx]

This session will explore intersections between the:

• Architects Act 2003 and NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct 2017;
• Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 and Design and Building Practitioners Regulation 2021; and
• Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 and State Environmental Planning Policy No 65 2002.

Some of the regulatory implications for Architects and Nominated Architects who work on class 2 buildings will be considered, together with examples of breaches of the Architects Act.

About the Presenter:

Dr Kirsten Orr is Registrar of the NSW Architects Registration Board, a Director of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia, and a NSW registered architect. Previously she was Professor of Architecture and Dean of the School of Technology, Environments & Design at the University of Tasmania (2016-18); and Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (1999-2015). She has made leadership contributions to all the major Australian government and professional bodies regulating the practice of architecture, education of architecture students and accreditation of Australian architecture programs. Read more here

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.

What you need to know about being an architect in NSW
1 Hour Formal CPD
Tuesday 6 February 2024, 5.00 - 6.00pm. Register here.
Friday 16 August 2024, 1.00 - 2.00pm. Register here.

Download the CPD Question Sheet for this Webinar Self-assessment questionnaire or Self-assessment questionnaire

This session provides a comprehensive primer on the regulations, professional context, and compliance requirements for registered architects in NSW. It is particularly recommended for recently registered architects (<5 years), or those returning to practice after a break. Topics covered include:

• Compliance with the Architects Act 2003 and NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct 2017
• Overview of changing legislative requirements and a brief history of regulatory reform affecting architects in NSW.

About the Presenter

Dr Kirsten Orr is Registrar of the NSW Architects Registration Board, a Director of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia and a NSW registered architect.  She was previously Professor of Architecture and Dean of the School of Technology, Environments & Design at the University of Tasmania (2016-18) and Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (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.

Nominating a Responsible Architect
1 Hour Formal CPD
Tuesday 14 November 2023, 5.00 - 6.00pm. Register here.
Friday 17 May 2024, 1.00 - 2.00pm. Register here.

Download the CPD Question Sheet for this Webinar Self-assessment questions_Nominating a Responsible Architect.pdf or Self-assessment questions_Nominating a Responsible Architect.docx

This session will cover the NSW requirements for architect corporations and firms to nominate a responsible architect, with direct reference to key provisions of the Architects Act 2003 – sections 10, 11, 27, 29, 82 and 83 – and the NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct – clauses 17 and 18.

In particular,

• What is a nominated architect?
• When is a practice required to have one? and What is the process involved in nominating a responsible architect?
• What is the nominated architect responsible for?
• Implications of other legislation regulating class 2 buildings on the requirement for architect corporations or firms to have a nominated architect
• Requirements for the name and registration number of the nominated architect to be prominently displayed.

About the Presenter:

Dr Kirsten Orr is Registrar of the NSW Architects Registration Board and a Director of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.  She is a registered architect (NSW ARB #6236).  In 2021-2022 she led an audit of all NSW Practising Architects to encourage their greater compliance with requirements for architect corporations and firms to nominate a responsible architect and to be appropriately listed on the NSW List of Architect Corporations and Firms.

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 2021 NSCA as it relates to understanding and incorporating relevant disciplinary knowledge and standards within the practice of architecture and the provision of architectural services.

Working with your Client - How to avoid complaints 
1 Hour Formal CPD
Wednesday 29 November 2023, 5.00 - 6.00pm. Register here.
Friday 5 April 2024, 1.00 - 2.00pm. Register here.

Download the questionnaire for this webinar : Self-assessment questions_Working with your client_How to avoid complaints.pdf or Self-assessment questions_Working with your client_How to avoid complaints.docx

A Webinar that presents the regulatory principles that protect consumers, and how architects can work to fulfil them. This Webinar discusses the significance of the Code, the complaints process, the Architect Client Agreement, and communication. Recommended for all architects.

 This session will cover:

• Context of architect-client relationship
• Consumer protection
• NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct
• Complaints process
• Client-architect contracts

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.

Pathways to Registration
1 Hour Formal CPD
Friday 1 March 2024, 1.00 - 2.00pm. Register here.
Tuesday 23 July 2024, 5.00 - 6.00pm. Register here.

Download the CPD Question Sheet for this Webinar: Self-assessment questions_Pathways to Registration.pdf; Self-assessment questions_Pathways to Registration.docx

There has never been a more important time to consider becoming a registered architect in NSW.  The current context of endemic building failures (think Lacrosse, Opal, Mascot Towers, etc) raises the need for greater regulatory controls across the construction industry. 

Architects are trained, accredited and registered professional who can provide a higher level of service than other building designers.  They operate within a well-regulated professional system that sets the bar for other building professionals. 

But to be able to call yourself an Architect you need to get registered first!  This CPD presentation will tell you everything need to know about the various pathways to registration as an Architect in Australia.  Join the webinar and find out which pathway is best for you.

At the end of the presentation participants will be able to 

• Understand the purpose of architectural registration
• Recognise the function and objectives of the Architects Act (NSW) 2003 and the NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct 2017
• Identify appropriate pathways to registration as an Architect in Australia based on their personal professional background.

About the Presenter

Dr Kirsten Orr is Registrar of the NSW Architects Registration Board, a Director of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia and a NSW registered architect.  She was previously Professor of Architecture and Dean of the School of Technology, Environments & Design at the University of Tasmania (2016-18) and Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (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 disciplinary knowledge and standards within the practice of architecture and the provision of architectural services.

If you have any queries about these Webinars, please get in touch at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.