ARBV Update

Edition 26, September 2026

Welcome to the September ARBV Update.

We are pleased to advise that most registrants completed renewal by 30 June 2026. While we are still conducting checks of information provided and declarations made during renewal, there appears to have been a high level of compliance with registration and approval requirements.

In addition to renewal of registration and approvals, we have been busy with a host of other activities in recent months as outlined in this issue.

Thank you, Jim

One architect who has moved into the non-practising class of registration is James (Jim) Sadler who, after 61 years, has decided to retire from carrying out work as an architect. Jim completed a Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Melbourne in 1963 and was registered as an architect in 1965. He became an associate of the RAIA in1966 and was elected to a Fellowship in 1974.

Jim became an examiner with the ARBV in the middle of the 1990s and has been an examiner for approximately 30 years, ending this year in 2026. Keeping up the family tradition, Jim's daughter Jacinda is a current examiner with the ARBV.

During Jim's time as an examiner, he has also been a member on a number of Accreditation Review Panels assessing architecture courses at the University of Melbourne, RMIT University and Deakin University. In recent years he has also acted as a Technical Advisor to the Board. 

The ARBV has been privileged to have Jim's longstanding support, and we are going to miss his expertise and professionalism. The ARBV team have always found Jim a pleasure to work with.

We wish Jim all the best in his retirement and take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank him for his services to the ARBV.

Guide to the Code

As highlighted in previous communications, the ARBV has been developing a guide to the Victorian Architects Code of Professional Conduct (the Code). We are pleased to advise that the Guide has now been published on our website.

Architects and architectural firms can use the Guide as a reference to help them understand and comply with the Code. However, it is important to note that it does not replace the Code and is illustrative only. Users should always consult the Code in the first instance when assessing compliance with their obligations. Further, when in doubt about compliance with the Code, architects and firms should seek independent legal advice. Reliance on the Guide is not a substitute for legal advice.

Since the Code changes came into effect in April 2026, the majority of questions we have received relate to clause 6 – Use clear and unambiguous client agreements. As a result, the guidance we have provided about clause 6 has been further developed and updated. The latest guidance about clause 6 is included in the Guide.

Failure to comply with registration obligations – 2025-2026 case data

The vast majority of architects comply with their registration obligations under the Architects Act 1991. Those registered in the practising class ensure they are covered at all times by professional indemnity insurance (PII) and complete their annual continuing professional development (CPD) requirements. Those in the non-practising class ensure they do not carry out work as an architect. The majority of architects provide true and accurate information to the ARBV about themselves and their practice when applying to renew their registration or when requested by the ARBV.

In the 2025-26 registration period, however, we engaged with 29 architects about non-compliance with registration obligations. The non-compliance was detected via audits and during investigation of complaints by the ARBV's Registration and Complaints and Investigation teams.

PII non-compliance

Given the importance of PII as a consumer protection, it is concerning to report that 12 architects were identified as having failed to provide proof of a new or renewed PII policy upon the expiry of their existing policy. Six of these architects produced proof of PII after being notified that they were under investigation and were facing immediate suspension of their registration followed by an inquiry by the Architects Tribunal. Two moved to the non-practising class of registration. One was issued with written advice on compliance under regulation 8 of the Architects Regulations 2015 for unprofessional conduct after it was established that they had allowed their PII to lapse.

After repeatedly failing to engage with the ARBV and provide proof of the required cover, the registrations of four architects were immediately suspended to mitigate the risk of harm to clients and the public from uninsured architects and to protect the reputation of the profession. An inquiry by the Architects Tribunal will soon be held into each of those matters.

CPD non-compliance

Eleven architects identified during an audit were investigated for failing to provide adequate proof of compliance with CPD requirements. Each architect was required to complete their outstanding CPD points and provide proof of their completion to the ARBV to avoid immediate suspension of their registration and referral for inquiry to the Architects Tribunal. The investigations were closed without referral for inquiry or other action being taken after 10 of the architects completed their outstanding CPD as required by the ARBV. The remaining architect was no longer practising and moved to the non-practising class of registration.

Practising when in the non-practising class

The ARBV also investigated two architects who had been practising as architects when registered in the non-practising class. The evidence showed that one of the architects had knowingly and deliberately done so, and they were issued with written advice on compliance under regulation 8 of the Architects Regulations 2015 for unprofessional conduct.

Providing false information to the ARBV

Four architects were believed to have provided false information to us when completing their registration renewal. Three were referred for inquiry to the Architects Tribunal. One of the matters referred for inquiry involved the provision of false information about the architect’s criminal history. The Architects Tribunal suspended the architect's registration for 3 months and they were reprimanded, cautioned and ordered to pay $12,000 in costs. The two other matters referred for inquiry are expected to be held before the end of the calendar year. The remaining investigation involved a failure by the architect to disclose disciplinary action in another jurisdiction. They were issued with written advice on compliance under regulation 8 of the Architects Regulations 2015 for unprofessional conduct.

'Holding out’ offences – 2025-2026 case data

During 2025-26, we engaged with 55 businesses who we believed were falsely representing that they were an architect or provided the services of an architect. Most of these representations were made on the businesses' websites, on social media and in online directories. While some cases involved the use of the title ‘architect’ and/or the prohibited terms ‘architectural services’, ‘architectural design’ or ‘architectural design services’, most used expressions that included the words ‘architectural’ and ‘architecture’, including in the business name. While these terms are not specifically prohibited by the Architects Act 1991, we were of the view that their use (taking account of the context and other information provided about the business) constituted a representation that they were an architect or provided the services of an architect.   

Voluntary compliance was achieved in all 55 cases following our intervention and engagement with the businesses. This generally involved the amendment or deleting of online wording. In two cases, the business changed their business name and, in one case, the business completely removed fascia signage from a shopfront.

Upcoming CPD webinars

As part of the ARBV’s proactive education program webinars on the following topics are planned in the coming months, so look out for emails from us prior to the events:

• 23 September 2026 – Waterproofing in design
• 23 October 2026 – NCC changes
• November 2026 – Building Regulation reforms
• December 2026 – Common building defects

Questions from past webinar - 12 August 2026

Our CPD webinar on 12 August 2026: Building trust in client-architect relationships was well attended with many questions put to our presenters Antoinette Trimble and Allison Tsao from CPD for Architects. Due to time constraints, they were not able to respond to all questions on the day, but by way of follow-up Antoinette and Allison have produced a video addressing 4 key questions around trust that emerged during the session.

The Q&A video is now available on the ARBV’s website, follow the link or click on the image above to view!

If you haven’t already done so, you may also like to take a look at the 8-part video series the ARBV produced in partnership with Antoinette Trimble and Allison Tsao: Why Communication matters. The topics include Proactively Building the Relationship, Educating the Client, Setting Clear Expectations, Record Keeping, Managing Scope Creep, Communicating Bad News Early, Navigating Conflict with Clients, and Promoting Your Value as an Architect.

How to maintain your CPD activities record

Practising architects are required to maintain an accurate and current record of their CPD activities at all times and retain these records for at least 5 years. Regular CPD audits are conducted by the ARBV, and practising architects may be asked to provide us with a record of their CPD activities, including written proof of formal CPD activities completed. This means you must keep any documents which support your claimed CPD points, including certificates issued by CPD providers and booking records for presentations or seminars. 

Your record of activities should contain the following information:

1. Date of the activity
2. Name of the activity
3. Organisation providing the activity
4. Category of learning – formal or informal
5. Hours you claimed against the CPD requirements
6. How the activity relates to specific performance criteria/units of competency in the National Standard of Competency for Architects.

To assist you in categorising your CPD activities the ARBV website provides examples of formal and informal activities and the maximum hours you can claim per activity each year. We have also created a CPD Activities record template which is available to download from the ARBV’s website. While you may choose to maintain records by an alternative method to using our template (e.g. Excel spreadsheet, written diary record), you must ensure that you can provide adequate proof to the ARBV when we request you to do so.

Complying with prescribed CPD requirements is an eligibility requirement for registration and architects must confirm compliance by way of declaration at renewal and provide proof of compliance when requested by the ARBV. Please be aware that the consequences of CPD non-compliance are serious and may include immediate suspension and referral to the Architects Tribunal.

Participation in public events

The ARBV has been busy participating in a range of public events over recent months and is preparing for another event in November 2026. These events include:

ARBV hosted Open House Melbourne Walking Tour 

The ARBV collaborated with Dan Blake of Conservation Studio to deliver The Architecture that Shaped Melbourne Shopping, a guided walking tour along Bourke Street to visit Melbourne’s iconic shopping precinct and department stores, shops and buildings that once defined Melbourne’s retail landscape, as well as those that remain today.

Two 90-minute tours were held on Saturday 25 July 2026 and were well received and fully booked despite the winter weather! Our tours are incredibly popular each year, with participants particularly enjoying the opportunity to see the city differently. Feedback included “gaining new insights into the CBD” and “learning things about Melbourne and architecture that I did not know”. Melbourne always has more stories to reveal, and this tour brought that home.

One participant captured the spirit of the experience beautifully:

“I just love the way this event opens doors to the history and culture of the place where I grew up. Over the 13 years I have attended, I’ve been so amazed by the hidden gems of Melbourne and beyond, and its historic culture—both good and bad. It's always a gem.”

Executive Director and Chief Curator at OHM, Tania Davidge, shared:

“It’s this sense of history and discovery—of seeing familiar places with fresh eyes—that makes the ARBV tours such a wonderful part of the Open House Melbourne festival program.”

Melbourne Home Show

The ARBV again hosted a stand at the Melbourne Home Show at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. As in previous years, the Home Show was well supported by the public and ARBV staff were present from 21 through to 23 August 2026 to provide information and answer questions. A wide range of questions were answered including about the architect’s role in construction, registration and the protections available to consumers engaging architects.

Upcoming Big Build Expo

The ARBV will again be attending the Melbourne Big Build, which is being held on 25 and 26 November 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. We will have information and resources available to attendees and ARBV staff will be on hand to explain what architects do and why it is important to engage a registered architect. The ARBV will be at stand GV3, come and say hello to the team!