ARBV Update

Edition 12, March 2023

Media release: Architects and providers of architectural services must be registered with the ARBV

The ARBV has filed charges with the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria against an individual for alleged offences under the Architects Act 1991 (the Act) relating to representing themself as an architect and providing architectural services without holding registration. The matter has been set down for a hearing in the coming months.

You can read the media release relating to this matter on the latest news page of the ARBV website. 

AACA free online NCC resources

As part of educating candidates for the Architectural Practice Exam (APE) 2024, the AACA has created a range of free video resources, including:

• Video 1 +2: 2021 National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA), and Architectural Practice Exam (APE) Part 1+2+3 explained.
• Video 3: Understanding the National Construction Code (NCC)
• Video 4: Understanding Fire Safety in the National Construction Code (NCC)
• Video 5: Understanding and using energy provisions in the National Construction Code (NCC)

The AACA encourages registered architects to watch these videos to gain an understanding of the NCC as relevant to the architectural profession. Formal CPD is available.

For more information or to watch these videos head to the AACA website.

VBA Practitioner Education Series

The Victorian Building Authority regularly holds webinars for practitioners that you may find informative. The practitioner’s education series for 2023 topics were:

• Research insights: water damage and the risk of mould in buildings
• Common roof drainage faults & enquiries – box gutters
• Waterproofing of Wet Areas

Visit the VBA's Practitioner Education Series webpage for more information.

The Architect Act 1991 has recently been amended

The recent amendments to the Act are primarily to make changes for the purposes of facilitating the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme in Victoria for architects. These changes include definitions relevant to this scheme and a requirement that architects under the scheme provide proof of insurance in line with the requirements of architects registered in Victoria. The new legislation allows the ARBV to issue certificates of registration for architects, companies and partnerships.

The amendments also include provisions on publishing disciplinary actions and removing individuals from the Register of Architects. Further details can be read here: https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/bills/601003exi1.pdf.

You can view the amended Act and previous versions online.

If further amendments are made to the Act we will provide another update. 

Australia signs Mutual Recognition Agreement with United Kingdom

The Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand was signed on 15 March 2023, after six years of collaborations between the nations.

This highly anticipated arrangement enhances the global exchange of skills, expertise, collaboration and employment opportunities.

AACA CEO Kathlyn Loseby welcomes the benefits this agreement will provide to practitioners and consumers, “Architecture is one of the professions that benefits most from collaboration. Recognising architects’ credentials globally will literally open up a whole new world of tremendous opportunities to transform the lived experience of our built environment.”

From 25 May 2023, eligible applicants can apply for mutual recognition either as a registered architect or a qualified graduate. UK applicants can also receive official certificates for skilled migration to Australia upon successful completion of their mutual recognition application.

The annual fees to renew your registration as an architect (practising) are due before 1 July 2023. Registrants will receive a renewal notice in May when the renewal period begins.

Reminder: When you apply for registration with the ARBV or renew or change your registration, you must provide professional indemnity insurance documentation along with your application.

To renew your registration, you will need to log in to the ARBV Portal and go to your 'Dashboard' and click on the 'Pay renewal' button.  

If you have any queries or are having difficulty paying your annual fees, please call us on 03 9417 4444.

Company and partnership approval

With renewal fast approaching please be aware that architectural companies and partnerships need approval from the ARBV to provide architectural services. This includes companies operating as a corporate trustee, or set up for the purposes of contracting.

Sole traders are considered individual architects for registration purposes, and do not need to gain approval as a company.

For companies to gain approval, you must:

• have at least one director who is registered as an architect (practising) with the ARBV
• have a constitution that states your company’s purpose is to provide architectural services
• pay the required fees (in addition to the fees you pay to register as an individual architect).

For partnerships to gain approval, you must:

• have at least one partner who is registered as an architect (practising) with the ARBV
• pay the required fees (in addition to the fees you pay to register as an individual architect).