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Proposed building reforms affecting architects


The NSW Government intends to deliver legislative reforms to restore confidence to the NSW construction sector.

The NSW Government intends to deliver legislative reforms to restore confidence to the NSW construction sector.

As part of these proposed reforms, the Government is considering repealing the Architects Act 2003 and integrating the legislation into a Building Bill and supporting legislation including a Building Compliance and Enforcement Bill (BCE Bill) and a Building Insurance Bill.

Government intends to introduce the three Bills to Parliament in 2025. Further work is required to develop the supporting Regulations and instruments.

The draft Bills have been shared with the NSW Architects Registration Board on a confidential basis to seek feedback, refine drafting and ensure accuracy.

In early August 2024, Building Commission NSW circulated the draft Bills and consultation papers to targeted industry stakeholders, including the Australian Institute of Architects and Association of Consulting Architects, who were invited to provide feedback on behalf of architects across NSW.

The Australian Institute of Architects is inviting feedback from its members on the proposed reforms to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and has published the draft Bills and consultation papers on its website here: https://www.architecture.com.au/archives/news_media_articles/nsw-draft-building-bill-architects-act-to-be-repealed

Communication from Building Commission NSW on the proposed building reforms and how they affect architects is available here.

You can watch a short webinar about the proposed reforms presented by the Registrar Dr Kirsten Orr. 

The slides referred to in the webinar can be downloaded separately here.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the reforms, please contact the Registrar, Dr Kirsten Orr at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0403 617 760.

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