What's Happening

REVIEW OF THE AACA REVIEW OF ACADEMIC EQUIVALENCE (RAE) PROCESS

  

The review of the AACA assessment process known as the Review of Academic Equivalence (RAE) is now well underway.

 

Initially the workgroup wrote to key stakeholders and invited submissions based on the review's terms of reference.

 

Generally first round submissions dealt with two main issues - RAE procedures and what appeared to the workgroup a need to introduce an alternative pathway for the assessment of overseas qualifications. The latter issue falls outside the terms of reference of the review; however it is noteworthy that AACA is currently developing an alternative pathway independent of this review.

 

In reviewing responses relating to the current RAE process the workgroup has observed considerable comment on fairness and equity issues. A number of respondents have also expressed concern about matters relating to authorship of documentation presented by candidates. Additionally, it would appear to the workgroup that there is limited knowledge about

  

.           the role of the National Competency Standards in Architecture in the RAE assessment process

.           the type of evidence to be provided by candidates

.           the appeal process for disgruntled RAE candidates.

  

These and other issues have subsequently been further explored and researched by the workgroup resulting in the production of a second round consultation paper, a copy of which may be accessed by clicking here.

 

You are invited to comment on the issues contained in the paper. Your response should be received by the 20th July, 2009. Responses should be forwarded to:

 

The Registrar
AACA
PO Box 236
CIVIC SQUARE ACT 2608

 Or by email to: registrar@aaca.org.au

 

 

REVIEW OF THE AACA NATIONAL COMPETENCY STANDARDS IN ARCHITECTURE

The National Competency Standards in Architecture (NCSA) is the document setting out the benchmark standards of competency against which an applicant for registration in Australia and New Zealand is measured.

The NCSA are reviewed at regular intervals. The 2008 edition is now available at the Publications page and may be accessed by clicking here.

The layout of this edition has been rearranged for legibility and clarity and to emphasise the inter-relationships between the Performance Criteria (PC) with their relevant Context and Element.  Some PCs have been split into discreet topics where multiple measures within a single PC may have been implied in previous editions. This has resulted in the total number of PCs increasing from 142 to 149.

The NCSA/GC (Guide for Candidates) document has been updated as a result of the review of the NCSA. Intending candidates for the Architectural Practice Examination (APE), the Review of Academic Equivalence (RAE), or the National Program of Assessment (NPrA) are advised to read this document. It may be downloaded by clicking here.

The NCSA/LB (Log Book of Practical Experience) has also been updated. Candidates who already have a Log Book are not required to purchase the new edition. In the revised edition, the numerical references to Elements 2.2.2 and 2.2.4 have become Elements 2.1.2 and 2.1.4 respectively. Because some of the Performance Criteria (PC) throughout the NCSA have been split into discreet topics their numeric identifiers have changed. PCs referenced in the Log Book's Mandatory Experience Categories will therefore have had their numeric identifier amended.  In many of these PCs the language has been modified to add clarity to the statement.

The April 2009 APE session will be conducted against the September 2003 version of the National Competency Standards in Architecture.  

 

 

THE AACA ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE EXAMINATION

Before being eligible to apply for registration as an architect with a State or Territory Architects Registration Authority, it is necessary that Candidates pass the AACA Architectural Practice Examination (APE).

Candidates intending to apply for admission to an APE should contact the Architects Registration Authority in the State or Territory in which they reside.

  

From 2009 the Part 2 of the APE (National Examination Paper) will be conducted on the first Tuesday of April and September.

  

The April 2009 APE session will be conducted against the September 2003 version of the National Competency Standards in Architecture.