ARBV Update

Edition 11, December 2022

Annual Report 2021-2022 

The ARBV Annual Report 2021-2022 was tabled in Parliament on the 20th of December and will be available on the website in early January 2023.

The last financial year marked a period of consolidation and establishing a new strategic direction. In response to the Statement of Expectations issued by the former Minister for Planning, the Hon Richard Wynne MP, in July 2021, the Board and ARBV staff embarked on a new biennial cycle of activities:

• The ARBV worked closely with management in developing the ARBV Service Charter, which sets out the standard of service that Victorians can expect from the ARBV
• The ARBV worked closely with other regulators and both State and Commonwealth Government agencies to develop systems and processes for sharing information, including a new public-facing Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme for architects that commenced in Victoria in January 2022
• A new four-year Strategic Plan (see below) was developed, setting a framework of direction under a new vision and mission, and a detailed plan of objectives that will guide the ARBV until 2026
• Welcoming five new members to the ARBV Board
• Continued monitoring and providing accreditation for Schools of Architecture in Victorian universities
• Assessing and responding to complaints for alleged unprofessional conduct and its associated decision-making for referrals for inquiry
• Proactive regulatory activities and educational initiatives that complement the regulatory functions prescribed by legislation
• Provide an essential role in national leadership as a member of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.

• To support architects in the delivery of professional services for the benefit of the community and advancement of the industry
• To build community understanding of the role of architects and the ARBV
• To demonstrate ARBV’s value as a trusted regulator, supporting the delivery of a high- quality built environment
• To drive positive outcomes for consumers by promoting a professional culture of accountability among architects.

ARBV Strategic Plan 2022-2026

New report: Systemic Risks in the Australian Architecture Sector 

Systemic Risks in the Australian Architecture Sector is the product of a research project undertaken jointly by the ARBV and NSW ARB 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 a range of recent developments affecting the profession, including 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 have an impact upon the provision of architectural services by architects.

A key message emerging from the report is the critical importance of regulation in delivering positive outcomes for the sector.

Preparation of the report was facilitated by Dr Dariel De Sousa, Director of Dart Legal & Consulting. Dariel will present findings and discussion points from the report at our next Webinar on Wednesday 15 February, 12-1pm. Stay tuned for further details!

Systemic Risks in the Australian Architecture Sector

ACCC investigation

The Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) is aware of the civil proceedings filed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) against Ashton Raggatt McDougall (ARM Architecture) and its former managing director, Anthony John Allen in the Victorian Registry of the Federal Court of Australia on 30 September 2022.

As the regulator of the architecture profession in Victoria, the ARBV is concerned by the allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and supports the ACCC's enforcement of anti-cartel laws.

The ARBV will be following the ACCC proceedings closely and the outcome reached by the Federal Court. In addition, the ARBV will gather information to assess whether there has been any non-compliance by architects involved in this matter.

Full statement: ARBV concerned by allegations of anti-competitive behaviour | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au)

'I have been involved in the building industry for the last 35 years in various roles including co-director of a boutique residential construction company that built early works of several notable Melbourne architects and a contracts administrator in Western Australia working on projects including the refurbishment of the Newman Hospital, construction of a tank farm at Mount Newman and provision of sub contractor’s facilities at the BHP HBI site.'

Sally also served as a co-opted member of the Building Practitioners Board as a panel member for practitioner disciplinary inquiries and now serves as a member of the Building Appeals Board.

Passionate about promoting sustainable and affordable housing for the changing climate and shifting demographics, Sally also values the extensive team effort required to build even the smallest structure and actively supports collaborative and positive interactions between all disciplines involved in the built environment.

New CPD Webinar series

The first in our new CPD Webinar series, How to manage client budgets and project costs was held on 30 November. Thank you to our speaker, ARBV Architectural Practice Examination convenor Emma Templeton for her wonderful professional insights into a very popular and timely topic.

We apologise to those registrants who couldn’t attend due to technical problems on the day and will be making a recording and CPD self-assessment available to those who couldn’t join us shortly.

2022 ARBV Professional Practice Award

Pictured: Ayden Fiore and Dr Giorgio Marfella

After two years of online and hybrid celebrations, graduating students, staff and guests were welcomed back on campus on Thursday 17 November for the opening of MADA Now, Monash Art, Design and Architecture’s end-of-year show. 

Master of Architecture graduate Ayden Fiore was presented with the 2022 $1000 ARBV Professional Practice Award by ARBV Chairperson, Dr Giorgio Marfella. Ayden’s project Climate Contradiction ‘’highlights the inconsistencies of recent industry trajectory through a speculative future, describing the implications of affording an afterlife for fossil fuels.’’

Deakin University visit

Pictured: Dr Glenice Fox, Fiona Gjoni, Professor Sarah McGann, Jayne Whitford and Kathlyn Loseby

An objective in the ARBV Strategic Plan 2022-26 is to support knowledge, capability and excellence and our strategic initiatives include engaging with Victorian universities about preparing graduates to meet requirements for practical experience and becoming registered and to support, recognise and monitor high standards of architectural education in Victorian universities.  

To further these initiatives, ARBV CEO/Registrar Dr Glenice Fox and Fiona Gjoni, Manager Registration recently visited Deakin University’s School of Architecture & Built Environment, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Built Environment, with Kathlyn Loseby, CEO, and Jayne Whitford, Accreditation Manager, from the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA).

The ARBV and AACA met with Professor Sarah McGann (Head of School), Dr Yolanda Estaban (Senior Lecturer) and Michael Sharman (Lecturer in Digital Architecture).

The ARBV were shown around the space and viewed an exhibition of student work. The visit was very valuable, with Deakin University having an opportunity to explain the changing landscape for universities and discuss practical strategies for managing accreditation.

Architectural Practice Examination (APE)

The Architectural Practice Examination (APE) is the most common pathway to registration. If you currently employ or supervise an architectural graduate, you and the project you are working on may be used for that individual’s part 1 submission.

ARBV routinely check the ‘project architect’ listed by APE candidates to confirm their registration.

Not only is it an offence to work unregistered, but it could also impact on a graduate’s ability to become registered if they are relying on an unregistered practitioner as the ‘project architect’. For details about the APE and on becoming registered please refer to the links below.

For details on registering: Registering as an architect, company or partnership | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au)

For details on the APE: Architectural Practice Examination | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au)

The long-standing culture of a public entity with one hundred years of history rests on understanding the architectural profession and its current standards of professional conduct, transparency and procedural fairness, and governance practice tailored to the functions set out in the legislative framework of the Victorian Architects Act 1991 (the Act) and the Architects Regulations 2015.

Stay tuned in 2023 for further announcements celebrating our centenary and vision for a well-designed, liveable and safe built environment for Victorians.