In response to demand we have published the on-line Briefing Sessions on the EPA and the OQA conducted by experienced AACA program staff in May 2020. See here for the link to the Briefing Session on the EPA and here for the Session on the OQA.
Looking at alternative paths to registration as an architect? In these unsettling times due to COVID-19 we are looking at a range of strategies to support applicants by:
If you want to find out more about Overseas Qualifications Assessment Stage 2 / Overseas Qualifications Assessment Stage 1 & Stage 2 Combined Assessment or Experienced Practitioner Assessment after reading the Guide for Applicants please contact us at [email protected].
If you want to attend the free interactive session on:
please send us an email at [email protected].
AACA, in consultation with the Architect Registration Boards, is monitoring the COVID-19 situation. We continue to follow the guidance of the Commonwealth and State Health Departments in relation to gatherings of people; and advice on the examination from our expert consultants.
As per the advice issued to successful candidates by Architect Registration Boards, candidates who were scheduled to sit the National Examination Paper on 21 April have been enrolled in the National Examination Paper to be held at Cliftons Venues on 18 August 2020. Exam details and/or alternative arrangements will be issued through your local Architect Registration Board closer to the date.
Candidates who intend applying for Session 2 of the 2020 APE, should submit their Logbook and Statement of Practical Experience to their local Architect Registration Board as per the published timetable on the AACA website. Successful Part 1 candidates will be enrolled in the National Examination Paper to be held at Cliftons Venues on 18 August 2020. Exam details and/or alternative arrangements will be issued through your local Architect Registration Board closer to the date.
Since the first general update on the Review published in January 2020 (see here) the following tasks have been completed:
Stage 2 of the Review is currently underway:
A further update is planned once the Issues Paper is released, anticipated by late May.
We are responding to the COVID 19 situation in response to Government directions with the aim of keeping applicants, assessors and staff safe while providing minimal disruptions to our normal course of business. The AACA office is closed until the advice from Government regarding the COVID 10 situation is amended. All staff are working from home and will answer your emails as soon as possible.
Stage 1 Overseas Qualifications Assessment (OQA)
No change to assessment procedure or period of time for assessment of applications. Outcome letters for the purpose of applying for a skills assessment dated after 31 March 2020 will be issued as a secure on-line document.
Combined Stage 1 and 2 Overseas Qualifications Assessment (OQA)
No change to submission requirements. There have been some initial delays in finalising applications while we move towards the conduct of the required interviews in video format.
Experienced Practitioner Practitioner Assessment (EPA)
No change to submission requirements. There has been some in initial delay in finalising applications while we move towards the conduct of the assessment interviews in video format.
National Program of Assessment (NPrA)
No change to the components of the submission, however all candidates working towards completion of their final design will be advised of minor changes for submission of the on-line submission of the final response. AACA is also providing additional time for candidates to submit their final proposal.
Architectural Practice Examination (APE)
Session 1 of the National Examination was postponed due to the Government restrictions on the gathering of people. Currently, the timeframe for 2020 Session 2 of the APE stands. The AACA is working with the Architect Registration Boards to minimise the disruption to the 2020 APE and will provide updates when the situation changes.
Please contact us on [email protected] if you have any questions or require advice about our programs.
The AACA is continuing to monitor the Coronavirus COVID-19 situation. We are following the guidance of the Commonwealth and State Health Departments on appropriate steps. Given the evolving Coronavirus situation in Australia, the AACA has determined that the APE National Examination Paper currently scheduled for the 21 April will be postponed until 18 August.
The decision to postpone the NEP was made by the AACA after considering advice from AACA consultants, current Government advice on restrictions on gatherings of people – currently of 500 persons but likely to be tightened further – and projections of the spread of the virus over the next 6 weeks.
Candidates will be automatically enrolled in the National Examination Paper on 18 August. All Candidates will be advised of this postponement in the notice of outcome letter for APE Stage 1 issued by the Architect Registration Boards.
For further information see FAQs or contact your local Architect Registration Board.
The AACA is continuing to monitor the Coronavirus COVID-19 situation. We are following the guidance of the Commonwealth and State Health Departments on appropriate steps.
Currently, it is business as usual across all our activities.
AACA advises that as the situation is evolving it will continue to act on the advice of the Commonwealth and State Health Authorities and will update this news item when necessary.
The following official website provides helpful advice and information: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources
The NPrA provides an alternative entry to the Architectural Practice Examination for experienced design practitioners who have not completed an architectural qualification.
The AACA’s National Program of Assessment is recognised by all Australian Architect Registration Boards as an alternate entry to the Architectural Practice Examination, successful completion of which is required prior to applying for registration as an architect.
The NPrA is a design exercise that tests candidates’ competency in architecture on the basis of their acquired knowledge and experience. The focus of the design exercise is to design a complex building in response to a hypothetical design brief. Applications for Stage 1 Eligibility close on 16 March 2020.
During 2020 the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) is coordinating a review of the National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA). The NSCA is the assessment benchmark for all programs on the path to registration as an architect in Australia. The review will be guided by an Expert Reference Group comprising nominees from stakeholder bodies in the profession.
You can read more about the NSCA here. You can read more about the 2020 Review of the NSCA here.
The first stage of the review involves a survey to seek feedback on the extent to which the NSCA broadly reflects the role of an architect across the diversity of modes of practice. The results of this survey will inform the next steps of the review. All responses are anonymous. The survey should take between 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
The survey will remain open until the 27th February.
Have your say – Review of the National Standard of Competency for Architects
All further opportunities for input or comment will be advised via project updates, published to the News section of the AACA Home Page and noted on the Review webpage. If you wish to be informed when project updates are published, please send an email to [email protected].
During 2020 the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) is coordinating a review of the National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA). The NSCA is the assessment benchmark for all programs on the path to registration as an architect in Australia. The review will be guided by an Expert Reference Group comprising nominees from stakeholder bodies in the profession.
You can read more about the NSCA here. You can read more about the 2020 Review of the NSCA here.
The first stage of the review involves a survey to seek feedback on the extent to which the NSCA broadly reflects the role of an architect across the diversity of modes of practice. The results of this survey will inform the next steps of the review. All responses are anonymous. The survey should take between 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
The survey will remain open until the 27th February.
Have your say – Review of the National Standard of Competency for Architects
All further opportunities for input or comment will be advised via project updates, published to the News section of the AACA Home Page and noted on the Review webpage. If you wish to be informed when project updates are published, please send an email to [email protected].