Architects Registration Board (ARB) UK is the body by section 1 of the Architects Act 1997 in the United Kingdom which has the statutory responsibility in the UK for prescribing the qualifications and experience required for the purposes of entering the UK Register, for maintaining the Register in the UK and disciplining all architects in the UK.

Visit their website for more information on the MRA.

The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) is an independent, self-funded, Not-For-Profit organization set up by the statutory State and Territory Architect Registration Boards in the 1970s. AACA supports nationally consistent high-quality qualifications and registration of architects in Australia.

Registered applicants

Australia to UK registered applicants will require an AACA certificate confirming eligibility. The AACA certificate will include evidence such as an accredited qualification in architecture from a school of architecture in Australia, together with the Australian Architectural Practice Exam or Experienced Practitioner Assessment outcome, and also current registration by one or more Australian State and Territory Registration Boards.

Australia to UK architects will also need to pass ARB’s UK Adaptation Assessment before being admitted to the UK Register.

An applicant is also an eligible Australia to UK architect if they have:

• secured ARB UK-prescribed qualifications issued by schools of architecture in the United Kingdom at Part 1 and Part 2 level, and
• are currently registered by one or more Australian State and Registration Territory Boards (through Australian Architectural Practice Exam or Experienced Practitioner Assessment),
• and have passed ARB’s UK Adaptation Assessment.

UK to Australia registered applicants will need to have secured ARB prescribed qualifications at Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 level and be registered and in good standing with ARB, which will be confirmed by ARB on a certificate of eligibility. UK architects will then need to meet additional requirements set by the AACA, following which AACA will then issue an AACA Statement pursuant to the MRA to issue to state and territory registration boards in Australia to facilitate registration.

An architect is also an eligible UK to Australia architect if they have:

• secured accredited Australian or New Zealand qualifications issued by Schools of Architecture in Australia or New Zealand, and have secured equivalence at UK Part 1 and Part 2 level having undertaken assessment by ARB (such as the Prescribed Examination)
• and secured an ARB-prescribed qualification issued by a school of architecture in the United Kingdom at Part 3 level
• and successfully completed any additional requirements of the AACA, and obtained an AACA Statement.

Qualified graduates

Australia to UK – The MRA provides for the ‘freestanding’ recognition of accredited masters-level qualifications issued in Australia. AACA will be able to issue an AACA UK MRA Australian Graduate Statement to confirm that accredited qualifications are within the scope of the agreement. These will enable ARB UK to confirm the accepted qualifications.

There is no provision for the ‘freestanding’ recognition of only undergraduate degree qualifications issued in Australia under the MRA.

There is also no provision for the ‘freestanding’ recognition of accredited masters-level qualifications issued in Hong Kong or Singapore.

UK to Australia – The MRA provides for the ‘freestanding’ recognition of the combination of ARB prescribed Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications issued in the UK. ARB will be able to issue certificates or statement to confirm that accredited qualifications are within scope of the agreement, which will enable AACA and NZRAB to confirm the accepted qualifications.

To begin the process of certification with AACA is to confirm that you qualify to make use of the MRA. AACA will issue a certificate to qualifying applicants and this will also be transmitted to ARB UK.

Applicants will then need to submit an application to ARB UK. 

You will need get in touch with ARB UK to begin the process of certification confirming that you qualify to make use of the MRA.

ARB UK will issue a certificate to qualifying applicants and this will also be transmitted to AACA.  

Applicants will then need to submit an application to AACA and complete the Australian domain-specific assessment. 

No. If your qualification is from outside Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, you will not be covered by this MRA.

The MRA also does not accommodate Australian registered architects who have registered with another Mutual Recognition Agreement (such as APEC, Canada, USA, Singapore, or Japan).

No. The inaugural version of this Mutual Recognition Agreement will also NOT recognise alternate pathways gained through the:

• National Program of Assessment (NPrA),
• NSW Portfolio Program of Assessment (NSW PPA),
• Overseas Qualification Assessment (other than UK qualifications),
• Experienced Practitioner Assessment (other than UK qualifications)

AACA have negotiated for the MRA to be reviewed no later than three years after the date of signing the agreement and to include consideration as to what additional qualifications could be included within the scope of future revisions to the agreement.

Yes, Refer to the Qualified graduate section.

However, you will still need to register through the normal pathway in either country.

Yes. Refer to the Qualified graduate section.

However, you will still need to register through the normal pathway in either country.

AACA can provide successful UK applicants with an Australian Skilled Migration Assessment for the occupation ‘Architect’, ANZSCO code 232111.

The Skilled Migration Assessment can be used to support Australian visa applications in the relevant categories. Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for further details.