APEC Architect Criteria
An APEC Architect is a registered or licensed architect in a participating economy, whose name is enrolled on a section of the APEC Architect Register maintained by that economy. The criteria for admission to an APEC Architect Register has been agreed between the member economies.
Host economies may choose to adopt special requirements for the recognition of APEC Architects for practice in their economies, but any such requirements must be fully transparent.
Eligibility
To be an Australian APEC Architect, applicants must:
- be registered in their home economy (i.e. in a State/Territory of Australia)
- have completed a minimum period of seven years professional practice after initial registration as an architect in any participating economy.
- have undertaken at least three years of the seven year period as an architect:
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- with sole professional responsibility for the design,documentation and contract administration of buildings of moderate complexity; and/or
- in collaboration with other architects, as an architect in charge of and professionally responsible for a significant aspect of the design, documentation and/or contract administration of complex buildings.
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- provide two written references, one of which must be from an architect registered in Australia. Referees must be familiar with your work over the last seven years, either as a supervisor, an associate or a client
Architects deemed by the Monitoring Committee in a particular economy (in Australia this is the Board of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia) to have fulfilled these requirements are eligible for registration as an APEC Architect.
To retain their registration, APEC Architects must comply with obligations imposed by their home economies for maintaining professional competence and observing codes of professional conduct.
Application Process
Once submitted, applications will be considered by the Australian APEC Architect Monitoring Committee and applicants will be advised of the result in writing.
Applications are generally finalised within 10 weeks.
Timeframes are dependent upon the submission of all required documents and the interview schedule.
Where a second interview is required, applicants will be charged a fee to cover interview & assessor costs.
Supplementary Assessment for APEC Architects from other economies
Australia requires that APEC Architects from other economies, where Australia has a recognition agreement under the APEC Architecture Agreement (Japan, Singapore & Canada), wishing to practice in Australia must undertake an AACA interview. Successful completion of the interview is required before applying for registration as an architect with the State or Territory Architects Registration Board where they intend to practice. Please refer to the APEC Supplementary Assessment Guide for more information.
Key Documents
Australian Candidates
Candidates from Other Economies
Lodgement
Please follow the link below and create an account to begin your application.
Application Fees
- Australian APEC Architect – Initial Registration: AUD $1,600
- Australian APEC Architect – Annual Renewal Fee: AUD $385
- APEC Architect from Other Economies: AUD $4,300
A card transaction surcharge applies to all payments (1.49% for Australian cards and 2.9% for international cards).
Results & Appeals
Suitable Assessment Outcome
After successfully completing an assessment application and interview with AACA, applicants will receive an AACA Statement of Recognition. This statement can be submitted to State and Territory Architect Registration Boards in Australia to facilitate registration (additional fees and lodgements apply).
Applicants can also request from AACA an Australian Migration Skills Assessment for the occupation ‘Architect’, OSCA Code 241131 (previously ANZSCO code 232111.)
Not Suitable Assessment Outcome
Not Suitable (Unsuccessful) applicants will be advised of the NSCA Performance Criteria where they did not demonstrate the required competency and will be informed of the pathways available for registration.
Unsuccessful applicants offered a second interview should note that a fee applies to cover the interview and associated assessor costs. Please refer to our website for detailed fee information.
Application for 2nd Competency Assessment Interview
Not Suitable (Unsuccessful) candidates may apply for a 2nd Competency Assessment Interview. Costs apply.
A 2nd Competency Assessment Interview will be scheduled with the same two Assessors, using the documents originally submitted by the candidate.
Appeal
Refer to the AACA Appeals Policy – AACA website Homepage: AACA-Policies.
A candidate can only appeal the outcome of an AACA program on the ground that procedural fairness was denied to the candidate. Procedural fairness requires the decision maker to comply with established assessment procedures, and to act fairly, impartially and without bias in the making of a decision.
Appeals will not be accepted on any other grounds. Disagreement with an assessor’s judgment or general dissatisfaction with an outcome alone is not a ground for appeal. Causes or issues external to the assessment process (such as personal circumstances or comparisons to other candidates’ results) are not valid grounds for appeal.
Internal Review – Appeal
The AACA Assessment Manager reviews all Not Suitable Outcomes within 2 days, prior to issue of notification to applicants.
If an applicant subsequently wishes to APPEAL, the following is required within 28 days of the Not Suitable Outcome letter: Refer to the AACA Appeals Policy – AACA website Homepage: AACA-Policies.
The CEO will review the Grounds for Appeal within 28 days.
External Review – Appeal
If an APPEAL is upheld: Refer to the AACA Appeals Policy – AACA website Homepage: AACA-Policies.
