Review of the RAE/RGE complete. Applications now open for revised process. What does the architectural professional look like in Australia? Check out the latest industry research by AACA. How do requirements for registration in Australia compare with those in New Zealand, USA, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore? New Combined Stage 1 & 2 Assessment Process for residents in Australia with overseas qualification in architecture who would like to move towards registration.
Overseas Qualifications Assessment Stage 2 – Final Assessment process for applicants with overseas qualifications wanting to progress to APE for registration as an architect in Australia replaces the RAE/RGE processes. Stage 2 Final Assessment replaces the RAE and RGE with one process which allows applicants to provide academic and/or professional evidence to meet the required competencies. AACA will no longer accept RAE/RGE applications. The new Stage 2 Final Assessment still requires applicants to complete a Stage 1 Provisional Assessment prior to undertaking the Stage 2 Final Assessment. Revised eligibility requirements apply. Please see here for full details about Overseas Qualifications Assessments.
AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS COMPARED WITH NEW ZEALAND, USA, CANADA, HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE Australia’s requirements for architectural education and registration compare well with a number of key economies in the APEC group, according to a study published by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA). “Our requirements for five years of accredited full time university study (or equivalent), at least two years of professional experience and sitting of a professional exam compare closely with requirements in New Zealand, the United States of America, Canada, Singapore and Hong Kong,” said AACA CEO Kate Doyle. “Consumers can be confident Australia’s 12,000 registered architects have been through a comprehensive nationally consistent process to ensure they have the full range of design, technical and professional skills needed to deliver quality services to the public.” At the same time, the AACA study found there are some differences in approach among the six countries studied, for example in the format of the professional exam between jurisdictions. Most countries including Australia have a written and oral exam, but New Zealand just has an oral exam, while the USA is the only country with an online exam that can be taken anytime at approved testing centres. The AACA comparative study also highlighted areas where enhancements to Australia’s registration regime might be possible. “Australia is unusual in not having a process to assess the bona fides of experienced architects moving here from other countries,” said Ms Doyle. “With the agreement of the Architects Registration Boards around Australia we are investigating the potential of developing a process to recognise appropriately qualified and experienced overseas architects.” “Another key point of difference is that we don’t have the same kind of structured internship following graduation that a number of countries offer.” “This is also an area that could be investigated by the AACA in discussion with State and Territory Architect Registration Boards and industry stakeholders as we continue to improve services to the architectural sector,” said Ms Doyle. The AACA study provides a detailed benchmarking comparison of requirements in each jurisdiction, viewable through a customisable online matrix on the website: http://comparison.aaca.org.au/ A new profile of the Australian architectural sector is also downloadable as a companion document to the study. This project was made possible with funding support from the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. For media comment: Kate Doyle, CEO 0400 564 936 The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) is a not for profit company owned by the State and Territory architect registration boards. It is the national organisation responsible for coordinating and facilitating national standards for the registration of architects in Australia.
The AACA has recently conducted reviews of the Review of Academic Equivalence (RAE), Review of Graduate Equivalence (RGE) and the National Program of Assessment (NPrA). These programmes have been refined to improve programme clarity of purpose and streamline requirements to assist Applicants in their transition to registration in Australia. The RAE/RGE will be replaced by Stage 2: Final Overseas Qualification Assessment, with applications opening on 22 June 2015 and; NPrA 21 in 2015 will be open for applications at the end of July.
In Australia, the eight states and territories regulate the architecture profession. Each jurisdiction has its own Architects Act and Architect Regulations. The AACA has commissioned a report that provides an overview and comparison of the differences and similarities of each. See here for the full report.
The Architectural Practice Exam is held twice a year by the State and Territory Architect Registration Boards. The next session of the National Examination Paper (NEP) will be held on Tuesday, 25 August 2015. Please refer to your State or Territory Architects Board Website for further information regarding to APE Applications and Logbook lodgement dates.
The AACA has introduced two new forms, Form PA and Form V. These forms replace the previous Form M and Form R. Please ensure you are using the current forms as any Form M and Form R received by AACA on or after 29 April 2015, with the exception of a verification of a recognised architecture qualification, will be required to complete and submit the cover letter, matrix and syllabus. Please see the Forms & Fees page to download the new forms.
The AACA aims to become a leading innovator in commissioning and leveraging research at the intersection of architectural education and practice that connects and informs government, industry and the education sector. See here for details of the Strategy approved by the AACA Board in April 2015.
A new trilateral agreement between Australia, New Zealand and Canada means that achieving such recognition just got a lot simpler. The agreement – signed by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) on 18 February 2015, at Parliament House in Wellington, New Zealand – enables the mutual recognition of experienced registered architects in all three countries. Richard Thorp, President of the AACA, comments: “We are very pleased to have implemented an agreement under APEC with our New Zealand and Canadian colleagues that will facilitate mobility of architects across our respective economies. We anticipate great interest from architects in all three countries as the trilateral agreement offers significant opportunities for architects and benefits for our respective economies.” The AACA encourages Australian architects to explore the potential of the agreement, noting that Canada has a much lower proportion of architects per capita than Australia. The agreement also provides a base for further collaboration between Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The AACA is now working with the registration boards of New Zealand and Canada to identify further opportunities – for example, to facilitate the movement of architectural students and graduates between the three nations. This new agreement follows similar arrangements already established with Japan and Singapore. These agreements are all developed within the broader framework of the APEC Architect, a register that facilitates the access of registered APEC Architects to independent practice within the Asia-Pacific region. There are currently 27 architects on the Australian APEC Architects Register, and the AACA encourages all Australian architects to investigate the opportunities and to consider becoming an APEC architect. Find out about requirements for APEC architects (http://www.aaca.org.au/apec-architect-international-issues/apec-architect/)
Richard Thorp AM, President of AACA and President of the NSW Architects Registration Board has been recognised in the 2015 Australia day Awards for his significant service to architecture particularly through the development of major buildings and professional organisations. http://www.architects.nsw.gov.au/news/280-ric-thorp-recognised-in-australia-day-honours