The AACA Overseas Qualifications Assessment (OQA) program – determines whether an overseas academic qualification is comparable to a current Australian accredited qualification in architecture.
Skilled Migration Assessment – There is NO requirement to complete an Overseas Qualifications Assessment (OQA) if an individual has obtained an accredited Master of Architecture program from Australia, New Zealand or Hong Kong. A Skilled Migration Assessment may be obtained by applying for a Verification of Australian Qualification. View the list of the accredited architecture qualifications.
AACA only assesses architectural qualifications obtained by coursework that is eligible for a graduate to proceed to registration as an architect in the home country of the awarding institution.
Purpose
Architect Registration
Once an Applicant’s qualification has been deemed comparable to an Australian qualification, they are eligible to apply for the Architectural Practice Examination (APE), subject to eligibility criteria (including practical experience logbook), successful completion of which is required before applying for registration as an Architect with an Australian state or territory Architect Registration Board. Additional costs apply.
Alternative pathways to registration (if eligible) include the National Program of Assessment (NPrA) and the Experienced Practitioner Assessment (EPA) – or via existing Mutual Recognition agreements.
Skilled Migration Assessment
Applicants who obtain a Suitable (successful) Outcome of an OQA application are also provided with a Skilled Migration Assessment to support an application for the purpose of immigration to Australia under the Australian Government Skilled Migration Program for the occupation ‘Architect’, OSCA Code 241131 (previously ANZSCO code 232111).
From March 2022, Skilled Migration Assessments can ONLY be issued to Applicants who have successfully completed both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Overseas Qualifications Assessment (OQA) program.
Timeframe
From time of lodgement, applications are generally finalised assessed within 7 weeks from time of lodgement.
Exceptions:
- Documentation required at time of lodgement is incomplete: Applications are generally assessed within 12 weeks from lodgement.
- Excludes scheduling of the Competency Assessment Interview.
- • Timeframes may be extended during peak periods and holiday shutdowns.
Priority Processing – No longer available from 18 March 2024
The AACA does not offer a prioritised processing service for an additional charge. However, AACA may expedite applications at no additional cost in cases where extenuating circumstances are presented and documented by an applicant.
Application Fees
- Overseas Qualifications Assessment – New applicants: AUD $4,900
- Overseas Qualifications Assessment – Stage 2 only*: AUD $3,000
- Application for 2nd Competency Assessment Interview: AUD $1,200
- Renewal of OQA Skilled Migration Assessment: AUD $420
A card transaction surcharge applies to all payments (1.49% for Australian cards and 2.9% for international cards).
*Available to previous applicants who have a Successful OQA-Stage 1 Outcome issued prior to 1 March 2022.
Expiry Date
There is no time limit for Suitable (successful) OQA – Stage 2 or New Applicants who wish to apply for the Australian Architectural Practice Examination (APE), excepting the required practical experience logbook criteria.
A Skilled Migration Assessment for immigration purposes is valid for a period of 3 (three) years from the date of issue. This also applies to the discontinued provisional Skilled Migration Assessment (Overseas Qualifications Assessment – Stage 1 program).
Renewing a Skilled Migration Assessment
Applicants who have previously received a successful Outcome for OQA Stage 1 + 2 combined may renew their Skilled Migration Assessment via the OQA Application Portal. A Skilled Migration Assessment renewal will be issued by email with a revised date, within approximately 10 working days.
If you have only previously completed Stage 1 of the OQA Assessment, you must apply for OQA – Stage 2 and obtain a Suitable Outcome in order to obtain a new Skilled Migration Assessment.
FAQs
The AACA considers applications on a case-by-case basis. The AACA cannot provide advice on the eligibility of a qualification until a complete application, together with supporting documentation (and payment of the fee) has been received and an assessment has been completed. Refer to the new applicant page for information on the AACA Overseas Qualification Assessment process, guides and application forms.
No. Applications must be complete when submitted, with all supporting documents in the required format.
Refer to the OQA Applicants Guide.
For an OQA Assessment, a standard English proficiency test (refer OQA Applicants Guide) is required if the qualification obtained was not undertaken in English, or a letter from an architectural employer in Australia certifying that English language proficiency is adequate.
You do not have to provide the Bachelor degree documents if your Master’s qualification is listed as an Accredited Australian Architecture Qualification. You should apply for a Verification of your Australian qualification in order to obtain a Skilled Migration Assessment.
We can only accept up to 4 projects.
We recommend inclusion of one student (academic) project (for example, the final design project) as the basis for a discussion during the Competency Assessment Interview, however, it’s also acceptable to include post-graduate professional projects only.
After a review of all the submitted documents, an applicant may receive feedback from AACA including a request for further information or revisions. The next step is an invitation for the Competency Assessment Interview. If successful in the interview an applicant will receive a Suitable Outcome letter from AACA (and a Skilled Migration Assessment if requested for immigration purposes). Suitable applicants are then eligible to apply for the three-part Architectural Practice Examination (APE), with the relevant architect registration board, to register as architect in Australia, subject to eligibility criteria (including a practical experience logbook). The APE is offered twice per year, please be aware of the application deadlines.
