The National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA)

The National Standard of Competency for Architects establishes the Standard for architectural education and assessment of professional competency prior to registration as an Architect in Australia. The Standard identifies the primary activities that are fundamental to the practice of architecture and in relation to which an architect is expected to demonstrate competence in the delivery of professional services.

Accredited Architecture Qualifications

List of Accredited Architecture Qualifications for the purpose of registration as an architect.

Architecture Program Accreditation Procedure in Australia and New Zealand – Full document set

This download contains the main procedural document and all supporting guidance documents in a single PDF.

Alternatively, individual procedural documents are available below

Architecture Program Accreditation Procedure

Accreditation Management Committee Terms of Reference

Code of Conduct

Guidance – Operation of the Accreditation Standing Panel

Guidance – Administrative support required of the Program Provider during an Accreditation Site Visit

Guidance – New Programs

Guidance – Planning Timeframes for Accreditation Review Panels

Guidance – Provider Annual Reporting

Guidance – Standard Agenda for the Accreditation Site Visit

Guidance – Provider Accreditation Submission

Guidance – Operation of the Accreditation Review Panel

Guidance – Exhibition of Student Work

Summary of procedural changes and clarifications since commencement January 2018

Accreditation Procedure Clarifications, Sep 2018

Summary of Amendments, May 2018

Transition Guidance for the Architecture Program Accreditation Procedure 2018

The Accreditation Standing Panel

Accreditation Standing Panel (As at July 2018)

Nomination Form for the Accreditation Standing Panel

See also the Guidance – Operation of the Accreditation Standing Panel

Accreditation Review Panel report templates

Accreditation Review Panel Report Template

Accreditation Review Panel Report Part 7 PC Not Met Template

Provider Response to the Accreditation Review Panel Report Template

Provider Annual Report template and administrative guidance

Provider Annual Report Template 2019

Administrative Guidance for preparing Provider Annual Reports 2019

Note that the template and guidance will be updated in late 2019, to support Provider Annual Reports due for submission by 15 April 2020

Resources for panelists and providers

Quick Reference Guide for Accreditation Procedure Documents and Resources

Resource – Diagram: Key Provider and Panel Activities for an Accreditation Review Panel

Resource – Diagram: Accreditation Review Panel Report and Accreditation Decision

Resource – Diagram: Provider Annual Reporting Requirements

Resource – Quick reference for NSCA Performance Criteria

Resource – How to write an action item

Stakeholder Update Reports:

Stakeholder Update Report, June 2019

Stakeholder Update Report, December 2018

Stakeholder Update Report, June 2018

Stakeholder Update Report, March 2018

Accreditation Fee Schedule FY2018-19

An updated Fee Schedule for FY2019-20 should be published in Sep 2019

Administrative documents for panelists:

Administrative and Travel Policy for Accreditation Activities

Accreditation Activity Reimbursements Claim Form

Sample invoice for claiming payment of a Sitting Fee

Further reference documents and links:

Benchmarking Australia with other registration systems (June 2017) Comparison of Australia’s regulatory framework of registration of architects with New Zealand, the UK, the USA

Australian Architectural Education and Competency Framework Final Report (March 2016)

• National Standard of Competency for Architects/ Procedure for Candidates Booklet
• Logbook Guidance An overview of how to complete the Logbook.
• Log Sheets

Ensure macros are enabled. MAC users: If the ‘drop down’ tabs are not displaying when you select a field, go to ‘page layout’ from ‘view’ on the toolbar.

Revised NEP – Important Information for Candidates

The AACA has a policy of continuous improvement to all assessment programs.  This information outlines the main changes to the National Examination Paper which will be implemented in April 2018.

AACA Annual Report 2017-18

AACA Annual Report 2016-17

AACA Annual Report 2015-16

AACA Annual Report 2014-15