The National Program of Assessment provides access to the Architectural Practice Examination for practitioners who have not completed an accredited architectural qualification. The National Program of Assessment is recognised by all Australian registration authorities as an alternate entry to the Architectural Practice Examination, successful completion of which is required prior to applying to a State or Territory registration board to become registered as an architect.
The National Program of Assessment 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. See here for information about the Program, including assessors and past applicant talking about the Program.
Timetable for the program is here. Application close for Stage 1 Eligibility on 24 May 2019.
The most common pathway to registration is completion of an accredited Australian architecture qualification followed by the Architectural Practice Examination.
In consultation with the State and Territory Architect Registration Boards AACA has developed a number of alternative pathways.
Local and overseas experienced practitioners may be eligible to complete the fast-track assessment before applying to the local Architect Registration Board.
Do you have something to say about the way practitioners can be involved in architectural education? The AACA is looking for a mix of architects to take part in focus groups nationwide.
After the excellent response to the AACA’s Survey of the Profession on Architectural Education, the research team will be running focus groups with current practitioners to explore issues that arose in the survey, such as ways architecture firms can be more involved in the practice elements of architectural education.
The currently scheduled focus groups are as follows:
Melbourne
9–10.30am Tuesday
26 February
Architects Registration Board of Victoria
Perth
9.30–11am Wednesday
13 March
Architects Board of Western Australia
Brisbane
1.30–3pm Thursday
14 March
Australian Institute of Architects’ Brisbane Office
Sydney
9–10.30am Thursday
21 March
AACA Office
The AACA is looking for a mix of architects from small, medium and large practices to take part in each focus group, as well as a number of recent graduates (not yet registered). If you are interested in taking part, please send an email to the AACA by 18 February, stating your firm (or sole practice) name, firm size (S/M/L) and your position.
Want more information on the AACA National Program of Assessment (NPrA)? Hear from the NPrA Management Team and successful candidate and registered architect, Nuala Collins
A critical component of the Architectural Education and the Profession in Australia and New Zealand led by the AACA with the support of all architectural stakeholder organisations is a survey of practitioners (whether registered as architects or not).
The brief anonymous survey of practitioners working across all levels in the profession is open until 14 December. Interviews and focus groups teasing out findings of the survey will follow early in 2019, so it is important that all practitioners across the profession participate in the survey.
So, please make sure you complete the survey and encourage your colleagues to do likewise – regardless of their role and experience in practice. We want to hear all voices!
Literature Review
The Research Team is currently working on the literature review – an important component to provide context for the research.
Academic survey
The Academic survey has been issued to all ongoing and sessional architecture academics via Schools of Architecture for administrative ease. Information is not linked to particular Schools – the responses are anonymous and will be aggregated across Australia and New Zealand. The survey is open until 30 November 2018. If you are an ongoing or sessional academic Semester 2 2018 and you haven’t seen the survey – ask your Head of School so you can have your say.
The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia is leading a major study of Architectural Education and the Profession in Australia and New Zealand with the support of all architectural stakeholder organisations in Australia and New Zealand. The Study includes a literature review, collection of data from a range of sources, surveys of the opinions of architecture academics and practitioners, interviews with key stakeholders such as Architect Registration Boards and architectural representative bodies, and focus groups with architecture academics, students, graduates, practitioners and employers.
