ARBV Update

Edition 24, December 2025

As the end of 2025 is upon us, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the festive season and a Happy New Year. 

It has been a busy year at the ARBV as reflected in this Update. There will be a number of changes as we head into 2026, including the sunsetting of the Architects Regulations 2015 and changes to the renewal process (outlined in our August Update). To read our media release about the amendments to the Architects Act, click here

In addition, further changes to the ARBV have recently been proposed by government in response to the Independent Review of the Victorian Public Service by Helen Silver. This review made recommendations for changes to various entities and advisory boards, including the ARBV.  While the government is not adopting all the recommendations made in the Silver Review, it is proposing to create a new Business and Professions Regulator, by expanding the role of the Business Licensing Authority to cover architects, surveyors and veterinarians. For this proposal to take effect, it is likely that legislative change will be required. The ARBV will continue to operate in the usual way pending the implementation of changes being progressed by government.

Consultation on Architects Regulations commencing soon

The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is set to shortly release a consultation paper on the proposed changes to the Architects Regulations 2015. The Regulations are due to be replaced in April 2026.

The changes are expected to include:

• Prescribing CPD obligations
• Revisions to the Code of Professional Conduct
• Clarifying what information is published on the publicly available Register of Architects
• Introduction of new fees – late fees and reinstatement fees

The consultation paper will be available on the government's online engagement platform, Engage Victoria. This consultation opportunity will allow architects to share their ideas and have their say on the proposed changes. We understand the consultation will open very soon, we suggest you keep checking the website to participate in the consultation.

In 2024-25 an extremely successful program of CPD webinars were designed and delivered by the ARBV to approximately 9,800 attendees.  The ARBV also completed a third major research project – Strengthening Compliance Culture in the Architecture Sector. The report completed in June 2025, highlights the critical role of compliance culture within the architecture profession, explaining why it matters, what it looks like in practice, and how it can be strengthened.

For more information about the ARBV’s initiatives and performance you can read the full report through the link below.

Update on PII proof of coverage

Recently we communicated that the ARBV would require all registrants to provide proof of 12 months of insurance that would cover the registration period (to 30 June each year) to align with requirements set out in the Architects Act 1991.

Following the issue of those communications, we received feedback that there may be consequences for the cost of insurance premiums if they are all required to be finalised and submitted by a set date. 

The ARBV has considered the concerns raised and will implement the following proof of insurance requirements for the next two-year period:

1. if a registrant’s 12-month proof of insurance does not cover the same period as the registration year (i.e. 1 July to 30 June) they will be required to make a declaration at renewal that they will not allow their insurance cover to lapse and will provide the ARBV with updated proof before the coverage expires.
2. expiry of coverage must not occur in the months of July, August or September.

To assist architects to transition to the new arrangements, proof of insurance for a period of less than 12 months may be accepted subject to conditions imposed by the ARBV.  A review of proof of insurance requirements is planned at the end of the 2027 registration year.  At that time, we will advise if there will be any changes or alterations to the arrangements.

Not only is the requirement to maintain professional indemnity insurance coverage as set out in the Architects Act 1991 critical for consumer protection but also mitigates risk and provides business protection for architects.

While the ARBV has the power to immediately suspend registrants if they do not provide proof of insurance, we would rather that architects meet their professional indemnity insurance obligations than to have to exercise this power. If the power to immediately suspend is exercised, this will involve referring the matter for inquiry to the Architects Tribunal for unprofessional conduct and the architect may be subject to sanctions imposed by the Tribunal.

Professional conduct case study

In October 2025, the ARBV immediately suspended the registration of four architects for failing to provide proof of professional indemnity insurance. An inquiry will be held in into their professional conduct by the Architects Tribunal in the new year. 

Architects registered in the Practising class are required to provide written proof of professional indemnity insurance to the ARBV before 1 July. The policy must comply with the requirements of the Architects Insurance Ministerial Order and must provide cover until 30 June the following year (unless the ARBV has approved a lesser period which may be subject to conditions). See the information above about changes to the PII process and the Professional Indemnity Insurance page on our website for more information.

The four architects were investigated after failing to provide proof of professional indemnity insurance and following repeated failures to respond to the ARBV’s reminders and requests for this information.

Professional indemnity insurance provides an important protection for architects, consumers of architectural services and members of the public. It covers architects in the event of any claim that they were negligent or breached their professional duty of care. It provides a financial safety net for consumers and others suffering financial loss resulting from an architect’s negligence, error, or omission in their advice or work as an architect.

The four architects who persistently failed to provide proof to the ARBV that they were covered by the required professional indemnity insurance were assessed as posing a significant, ongoing and unacceptable risk of harm to consumers and members of the public, and to the reputation of the profession. Given this risk, the ARBV exercised a newly available legislative power to immediately suspend the registration of each architect. In line with the requirements of the Architects Act 1991, an inquiry will be held by the Architects Tribunal without delay. 

An architect whose registration has been immediately suspended is taken not to be registered under the Architects Act 1991 (other than for the purposes of disciplinary proceedings). This means that they cannot use the title of architect, represent that they provide the services of an architect or otherwise represent themselves to be an architect. If the registration of an architect who is the sole architect partner or sole architect director of an approved partnership or company is immediately suspended, the ARBV may suspend or cancel the approved partnership or company’s approval. An unapproved partnership or company cannot represent itself as an architect or provide the services of an architect.

It is an architect’s responsibility to ensure that they have the required insurance and that they provide written proof of this to the ARBV. Further, it is incumbent on architects to ensure that they monitor for email correspondence from the ARBV, update their contact information via the ARBV portal should this change and apply to the ARBV if they want to change to the Non-Practising class of registration.

Prohibited conduct case study

The ARBV frequently receives complaints about businesses that provide services similar to those provided by an architect where the business uses the term ‘architecture’ or a derivative in its name. While use of the terms ‘architecture’ and ‘architectural’ by non-architects is no longer expressly prohibited under the Architects Act 1991, the ARBV has the power to take action where use of those terms amounts to a representation that the person or business is an architect or provides the services of an architect.

In recent action taken by the ARBV, a building design company that used the term ‘architecture’ in its business name changed the company name and removed the term ‘architectural’ which was used several times on its website. This was because, in the context within they were used, the terms amounted to a representation that the building design business was an architect or provided the services of an architect. This was despite a disclaimer at the foot of the website stating that the business was a building design company. The disclaimer was assessed as being ineffective to undo the overall impression that the company provided the services of an architect that was created by the business name and use of the term ‘architectural’ on the website.

In another recent engagement, the ARBV was successful in having fascia signage spanning a business’ shop front changed from “Architectural Designers” to ‘Building Design”.

While the ARBV will continue to engage with non-architects to address conduct prohibited under the Architects Act 1991, architects and those managing architecture practices must also exercise caution when describing or representing unregistered members of staff (for example, on the practice’s website, professional networking and social media sites). Additionally, care must be taken to ensure that clients or prospective clients are not under any misapprehension about the status of unregistered staff who may be working on their project.

The ARBV has published guidance on a range of circumstances to avoid prohibited conduct. See links to the fact sheets below. 

Resources from the ‘Demystifying country centred design’ Webinar

At our recent webinar “Demystifying Country centred Design” our presenter Jefa Greenaway provided a range of resources to assist architects in respecting Country in practice.

Please see the resources below for more information. Our webinar can be viewed on the ARBV website.

First nations resources available through the Australian Institute of Architects and the First Nations Advisory Committee:

• First Nations Terminology
• Terms, Concept and Shared Understandings
• Cultural Safety
• Protecting Cultural knowledge and Intellectual Property in Built Environments

The Government Architect NSW has developed a framework to assist architect in caring for Country when designing in the built environment. This includes a framework to assist in informing planning, design and delivery of built projects.

Connecting with Country Framework

Upcoming ARBV Webinars

Our CPD Webinar program is attracting increasing numbers of attendees, and we are on track to deliver 10 formal CPD webinars this financial year! We have a number of webinars planned for the first half of 2026 in February, March, April, May and June. 

Look out for our invitation to these webinars for more details on the topics planned!

Melbourne Big Build Expo

The ARBV attended the Melbourne Big Build Expo held at MCEC on 22 and 23 October 2025.

The Melbourne Big Build was held over 2 consecutive days and had over 12,000 attendees. This was a great opportunity for the ARBV to reach out to the thousands of people who passed through the doors of the Expo to highlight the importance of registration and bring attention to the role of architects in Victoria’s built environment.

ARBV staff met with members of the general public, students and even a few familiar architects throughout the weekend. Staff highlighted the ARBV’s role and the resources available to consumers to ensure architectural services are provided by registered and approved entities. Staff also provided information for consumers about working with an architect and information about pathways to registration for those interested in pursuing a career in the industry. 

We look forward to being present at the Expo again next year!