Privacy Policy & Terms

Privacy Policy & Terms

1. Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) collects, uses, holds and discloses personal information and sensitive information within the meaning of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). We may update this Privacy Policy and, if we do, we will publish any updated policy on our website.

1. Types of information we collect and hold

Personal and sensitive information
The AACA collects personal information in the course of delivering its programs and services, including:

  • accrediting tertiary level courses and maintaining standards in relation to the qualifications and assessment of architects;
  • facilitating mutual recognition agreements in relation to registration as an architect in Australia by the various State and Territory registration boards who comprise the membership of AACA (the AACA Member Boards);
  • undertaking skills assessments as an assessing authority empowered under the Migration Regulations1994 (Cth) and related instruments; and
  • responding to enquiries about the architecture profession in Australia.

The AACA also collects personal information for the purposes of assessing overseas qualifications for architects seeking to register as an architect in Australia. The types of personal information we collect include a person’s:

  • name;
  • gender;
  • occupation;
  • educational qualifications;
  • contact details (including email address, phone number, residential address);
  • date of birth;
  • associations with other organisations such as employers or tertiary institutions and academic and professional history, as relevant; and
  • proof of identity and proof of residency documents (including but not limited to passports, drivers’ licenses, and citizenship certificates) for Overseas Qualifications, Experienced Practitioner Assessments, Mutual Recognition Assessments, Verifications and the National Program of Assessment.

We will normally collect this personal information directly from the person, but it may be collected from a third party such as an overseas registration board who is a signatory to a mutual recognition agreement with us where it is impractical to obtain it directly from the person. We will take reasonable steps to ensure a person is informed of AACA’s collection of personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act.

We do not generally collect sensitive information unless it is relevant to the accreditation process or a service we provide, and either the person has provided their consent for the collection or the AACA is authorised by law to collect sensitive information.

Web information
We also collect metadata relating to website usage, including by using cookies, for statistical and administrative purposes. The types of information collected include a person’s server address, domain name or IP address, the date, time and duration of the visit, the pages accessed, and documents downloaded, and other information.

We use Google Analytics and Salesforce on our website to collect information regarding how people use our site. Google Analytics and Salesforce uses both first person and third-party cookies to record standard internet traffic information and the information is used by us to understand how people use our website. We do not combine this information with other data in a manner which would identify your personal information.

If a person does not wish to receive any cookies they may set their browser to refuse cookies. However, this may impact on website functionality and the services provided to them.

2. Use and disclosure of information

The AACA will use and disclose the personal information it collects for the purposes for which it was collected, including delivery of the AACA’s programs and services.

The AACA will not use or disclose personal information or sensitive information for any secondary purpose, unless the following applies:

  • the person would reasonably expect the AACA to use or disclose the personal information for the secondary purpose and the secondary purpose is related (or directly related, in the case of sensitive information) to the primary purpose;
  • the person consents to the use or disclosure;
  • the use or disclosure is authorised or required by law; or
  • another exception under the Privacy Act applies.

For example, we may collect personal information in relation to an enquiry you have made about our overseas qualifications assessment process or registration with an overseas registration board. We might use and disclose this information to a third party, such as an AACA Member Board or overseas registration board, so that we can respond to your enquiry.

We may use or disclose this information for the purposes of delivering our programs and services and in the ordinary course of our business, including for the purpose of planning, research, marketing, or assessing the efficacy or impact of our programs or services.

3. Overseas disclosure

We may disclose personal information to overseas registration boards who are a signatory to a mutual recognition agreement with the AACA for the purposes of facilitating those mutual recognition agreements. The AACA has mutual recognition agreements with Canada, Japan, Singapore, the United States and the United Kingdom. If we disclose a person’s personal information overseas, we will take reasonable steps to ensure the overseas recipient does not breach the Privacy Act.

4. Storage and security of information

The AACA will take reasonable steps to ensure that all personal information or sensitive information we collect is held in a secure format and protected from loss and misuse, as well as unauthorised access, modification, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. The information may be held either in hard copy or electronically.

We will hold the information we collect on systems managed and maintained by us and/or our third-party cloud storage service provider who may create a backup of our data and store that backup overseas. Any such backups of the data may be held in the United States of America, Canada, Singapore, the UK or within the European Economic Area. Otherwise, we do not, generally, disclose personal information to recipients outside of Australia otherwise than as described above.

5. Retention and destruction of personal and sensitive information

The AACA will destroy or de-identify personal and sensitive information as soon as practicable once it is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was collected. We will take reasonable steps and use appropriate techniques and processes in destroying information.

6. Access

People have a right to request access to personal or sensitive information held about them, and to request its correction. Requests for access to personal information or sensitive information held by the AACA may be made by contacting the address below. If it is information that a person is entitled to access, we will endeavour to provide it to them in a suitable way (e.g. by email or mail). We may charge a fee to cover our administrative costs in providing the information.

Requests may also be made that we update or amend information we hold about a person; we will either amend the information, or make a record of the request, as appropriate.

7. Questions and feedback

Questions or feedback about this policy should be directed to:
CEO
02 8042 8930
[email protected]

We commit to respond in a timely manner.

If the feedback is a complaint about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles, we will advise what (if any) action we consider appropriate to take in response or if we do not agree, we will provide reasons. If the complaint is not handled to the satisfaction of the person making the complaint, they can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (www.oaic.com.au).

2. Privacy Statement

The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (ABN 83 465 163 655) is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information which we collect and with complying with applicable obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Privacy Collection Notice: Online

This collection notice relates to personal information collected by us in connection with our website. 

Who is collecting the information?

Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (ABN 83 465 163 655). Our contact details are as follows: Phone: 02 8042 8930  Email: [email protected]

How is the information collected?

Personal information

Personal information is collected in accordance with our privacy policy.

Personal information will be collected where you send us an email, or make an enquiry via the ‘contact us’ part of our website, or by otherwise entering information on one of our online forms, including to lodge and application, subscribe to information from us or to sign up to events.

Our online forms ask for a limited amount of personal information for contact purposes, such as an email address or telephone number. You have the choice of whether or not to provide additional personal information.

Our application forms ask for personal information including education history, academic documents, proof of identity, proof of residency, CV, project portfolio and professional references.

Web information

We also collect metadata relating to website usage, including by using cookies, for statistical and administrative purposes. The types of information collected include your server address, domain name or IP address, the date, time and duration of the visit, the pages accessed, and documents downloaded, and other information.

We use Google Analytics and Salesforce on our website to collect information regarding how people use our site, including the types of web information described above. Google Analytics and Salesforce uses both first person and third-party cookies to record standard internet traffic information and the information is used by us to understand how people use our website. We do not combine this information with other data in a manner which would identify your personal information.

If you do not wish to receive any cookies you may set your browser to refuse cookies. However, this may impact on website functionality and the services provided to you.

Is the collection required under a law or Court order?

No.

What are the purposes of collection?

Information provided to us either directly or indirectly through these forms will be used for the purposes of assessing your application, answering your enquiry or adding you to the relevant mailing list selected by you. The information may be used for other purposes as set out in our privacy policy.

Where you have made an enquiry about an AACA Member Board (as defined in our privacy policy), or an overseas registration board we will use that personal information for the purposes of responding to your enquiry.

What happens if we don’t collect this information?

If we do not collect this information, we may not be able to deliver the requested services to you.

Can you be anonymous?

You can request to be anonymous by contacting our privacy officer on [email protected].  In certain circumstances, this may impact on whether we can provide the requested service to you.

To whom do we share this information?

We may share this information with our service providers, such as information technology service providers (who provide marketing, data processing or storage services).

We may also share this information with AACA Member Boards and overseas registration boards as relevant.

Do we share the information overseas?

We may disclose personal information overseas to AACA Member Boards and overseas registration boards as relevant. On occasion we contract with service providers overseas and backups of data stored on our cloud servers may be replicated on other servers hosted overseas. It is not practicable to list every country to which we may provide personal information as this will vary depending on the circumstances.

How can I access and seek correction of this information?

Information about how to access and seek correction of personal information we hold about you is contained in our privacy policy.

How can I complain?

Information about how to complain is contained in our privacy policy. You may also direct complaints to the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au.

3. Payment Terms

We only accept online payment via Visa and Mastercard. All prices are in Australian dollars (AUD). Applications are exclusive of Goods & Services Tax (GST).

Your payment details are protected during transmission using 256-bit SSL encryption via Westpac Payway. We do not store any part of your credit card number, expiry date or CCV number on our server.

i. Refunds Policy

Please read all the information very carefully before you submit any online application. AACA does not provide refunds once an application has been submitted, this includes if you simply change your mind or make an incorrect selection during an online application process.

4. Feedback

AACA strives to provide high quality service to the public. Our staff is committed to answering enquiries clearly and respectfully.

Details about our assessment programs and pathways to registration are available on our website, however if you have further queries our staff is available to answer your questions. Email and phone enquiries are acknowledged or/and replied to generally within two business days. 

Applications for our assessment programs are processed within the timeframe specified in the Guide for Applicants for each program.  Any delays due to the need to seek further information or unforeseen circumstances will be communicated to the applicant.

AACA welcomes your feedback about how we can improve our services. Your feedback can be emailed to: [email protected]. Improvements in our processes are ongoing and our forms and guidelines are reviewed regularly and updated when required.

i. Complaints

If you have a complaint about our services, or the way in which our services have been provided, you may submit your complaint in writing to [email protected]. All complaints are logged and a response to the complaint is provided to the complainant within 7 working days. Depending upon the nature of the complaint the response will be provided by a programs officer or the CEO.

If you are unhappy about the result of an assessment undertaken by the AACA, you may lodge an Appeal to the AACA to have the decision reviewed.  Please refer to the appeals process detailed in the Guide for Applicants for each program, or as outlined in your Outcome Letter.

AACA does not deal with complaints against an architect, or against a person inaccurately representing, or representing another, as an architect. AACA does not deal with complaints made against an architect relating to unsatisfactory conduct or misconduct in the course of professional practice.  Such complaints are dealt with by Australian State and Territory Architect Registration Boards.

5. Disclaimer

The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia makes this material available on the understanding that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. Before relying on the material in any important matter users should carefully evaluate the accuracy completeness and relevance of the information for their purposes and should obtain appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances. The material at this site may include views or recommendations of third parties which do not necessarily reflect the views of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia or indicate its commitment to a particular course of action. Links to other web sites are inserted for convenience and do not constitute endorsement of material at those sites or any associated organisation product or service. These external information sources are outside our control. It is the responsibility of users to make their own decisions about the accuracy currency reliability and correctness of the information at those sites. By accessing information at or through this site each user waives and releases the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia to the full extent permitted by law from any and all claims relating to the usage of the material made available through the website. In no event shall the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia be liable for any incident or consequential damages resulting from use of the material.

AACA logo white

Architects Accreditation Council of Australia
Gadigal Country
Suite 3, Level 5, 75 Castlereagh Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

Located on Gadigal Country, the AACA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.