United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Under the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, eligible applicants can apply for mutual recognition either as a registered architect or a qualified graduate. Please refer to eligibility criteria and application types below.

Application Categories

There are five categories of applications available under the MRA:

FAQs

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 Australian registered architects who have registered with AACA recognized 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.

Key Documents

Estimated timeframes will be published when the program opens on 25 May 2023.

Applications open 25 May 2023

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria in the following areas: Citizenship and Residency Status, Qualifications and Registration (if applicable).

Applicants must be:

  • an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia having applied for and been granted a permanent visa that allows them to remain in Australia indefinitely, or
  • a New Zealand Citizen or hold a permanent New Zealand Resident’s Visa, or
  • a UK Citizen or permanent resident in the UK with indefinite leave to remain.

Applicants must hold the following qualifications:

  • Architects Registration Board UK (ARB UK) prescribed qualifications at Part 1 and Part 2, or
  • an Australian accredited qualification* supported by AACA (on behalf of Architect Registration Boards in Australia), or
  • a New Zealand accredited qualification supported by the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB).

*Please note only accredited qualifications completed in Australia qualify for the UK/AUS Mutual Recognition Agreement. Accredited qualifications from Hong Kong and Singapore are not included.

Registered applicants must hold the above qualifications, in addition to registration in good standing through one of the following pathways:

New Zealand registered applicants who wish to practice in Australia are encouraged to utilise the longstanding bilateral agreement and apply directly to the Architect Registration Boards in Australia.

UK to Australia applicants will need to have secured from UK ARB a Certificate of Eligibility that attests the applicant has:

  • ARB prescribed qualifications at Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 (or Australian/New Zealand equivalence, see FAQs below), and
  • is registered and in good standing with ARB .

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.

Applicants can also request from AACA an Australian Migration Skills Assessment for the occupation ‘Architect’, ANZSCO code 232111.

Applicants who have completed Part 1 and Part 2 level in the UK will need to apply for an UK ARB Certificate of Eligibility.

Once this certificate has been submitted to AACA, approved applicants can undertake the Architectural Practice Examination in Australia.

Applicants can also request from AACA an Australian Migration Skills Assessment for the occupation ‘Architect’, ANZSCO code 232111.

Australia to UK applicants will need to apply for an Australia to UK Certificate of Eligibility from AACA that attests the applicant has:

  • an Australian accredited qualification* , and
  • registration through the Architectural Practice Exam (APE) or the Experienced Practitioner Assessment (EPA), and
  • is registered and in good standing by one or more Australian State and Architect Territory Registration Boards.

Applicants need to subsequently pass ARB’s UK Adaptation Assessment, and apply to be admitted to the UK Register.

*Please note only accredited qualifications completed in Australia qualify for the UK/AUS Mutual Recognition Agreement. Accredited qualifications from Hong Kong and Singapore are not included.

New Zealand registered applicants and New Zealand qualified graduates should contact the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) to initiate their recognition for UK.

Applicants who have completed an accredited architecture qualification* in Australia will need to apply for an AACA Certificate of Eligibility. Once this certificate has been approved by ARB UK, applicants can undertake Part 3 level in the UK.

*Please note only accredited qualifications completed in Australia qualify for the UK/AUS Mutual Recognition Agreement. Accredited qualifications from Hong Kong and Singapore are not included.

New Zealand registered applicants and New Zealand qualified graduates should contact the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) to initiate their recognition for UK.

Application Process

All applicants must submit two separate applications to complete the mutual recognition process.

  1. Home Country: Applicants must apply to the relevant authority (ARB UK or AACA) in their home country and obtain a Certificate of Eligibility.
  2. Destination Country: Applicants must submit a subsequent application to notify the destination country of their intent for mutual recognition:
    • Registered applicants will need to complete either an UK Adaptation Assessment or an Australian assessment application and interview. Upon successful completion of the assessment, applicants can apply for registration in the destination country (additional fees and lodgements may apply).
    • Qualified graduates will need to have their Certificate of Eligibility, along with other documentation, reviewed and approved by the relevant authority (ARB UK or AACA) to finalise the application.

Application Fees – Australia only

  • UK Registration Recognition $4,900
  • UK Qualifications Recognition $900
  • Australian Registration Recognition for UK $1,200
  • Australian Qualification Recognition for UK $450

1.6% surcharge applies to all online payments. Application fees for ARB UK are not included in the figures above.

The UK and Australia Mutual Recognition Agreement is due to be concluded in 2023

In June 2021, The AACA has welcomed the announcement of a new free trade agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom.

AACA CEO Kathlyn Loseby said a deepening of the ties with one of Australia’s closest allies and trading partners is one of mutual benefit and paves the way for a range of further measures that will capitalise on the benefits for professionals in both nations.

“We congratulate both the Australian and UK governments on reaching this important agreement and thank Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for the inclusive and constructive role they have facilitated for us as part of this process,” Ms Loseby said.

“In addition to the substantial benefits trade liberalisation will deliver for both producers and consumers, the agreement also opens up critical opportunities for a range of professionals, including architects.

“Under the terms of the agreement, professionals will benefit from provisions to support mutual recognition of qualifications and greater certainty for skilled professionals entering each of our respective labour markets.

“This new arrangement enhances the global exchange of skills, expertise, collaboration and employment opportunities – something we have not had with the UK for decades.

“The AACA, with DFAT’s authorisation, is in the final stages of negotiating a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) that will ‘recognise the professional credentials of architects registered in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand’ and ‘ support their mobility by creating the opportunity to practise beyond their borders’.”

The MRA will ‘facilitate the registration of an architect registered in the United Kingdom as an Australian architect or New Zealand architect; and the registration of an Australian architect or New Zealand architect as an architect in the United Kingdom.’

Instigated under the leadership of former AACA CEO Kate Doyle, the MRA is the culmination of years of engagement work with the New Zealand and United Kingdom Architects Registration Boards.

“While COVID-19 has put a halt temporarily to international travel and migration, we are forging ahead with this MRA so that when Australia’s borders re-open both our architects and our communities here will be poised to benefit from a much more straightforward skills recognition process,” Ms Loseby said.

“Architects are among the most highly qualified professionals alongside the legal and medical fraternities. Architecture is also one of the professions that benefits most from collaboration. “Recognising architects’ credentials globally will literally open up a whole new world of tremendous opportunities to transform the lived experience of our built environment.”

The agreement is expected to be finalised in 2023.

Statement and Factsheet 

The UK, Australia and New Zealand are global leaders in architecture and our architects collaborate on a substantial scale.

Our registers of architects exist so that anyone using the services of an architect can be confident that they are suitably qualified and are fit to practise. We want this registration process to be as simple as possible, while still ensuring new registrants have what is necessary for safe and effective practice. We have started developing a mutual recognition agreement so that architects with eligible qualifications could benefit from a more straightforward process to register across the three countries.

This mutual agreement could be transformational in helping architects to share their skills, knowledge and innovative insights across the globe, whilst protecting the public by supporting and upholding professional standards in each country.

Discussions are at an advanced stage but changes to UK legislation are needed before ARB is able to enter into an agreement. We are pleased that this legislation is progressing and we hope it is implemented quickly.

We will provide further updates as these discussions develop.

Background

Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, the Professional Qualifications Bill, which was introduced to Parliament in May 2021, would give ARB the ability to pursue opportunities for UK architects to register more easily internationally.

Both the AACA and the NZRAB are ready to sign the recognition agreement, pursuant to the UK legislation being passed.

When it is in place the ARB, AACA and NZRAB will be able to recognise certain qualifications from other countries so that architects with those qualifications can join their respective Registers.

Our aim is to support and uphold standards, including by increasing our understanding of each other’s regulatory systems, while also facilitating and supporting the architectural profession’s ability to trade and work internationally.

 

FAQ

What has changed?

The process through which architects can apply to join the registers has not yet changed. At this stage, we’re sharing an update on this work.

When would an agreement and new registration process be in place?

ARB requires new legislation to be in place before this can happen. This will be in several parts: the Professional Qualifications Bill and the secondary legislation that follows it.

Whilst the passage of legislation through the UK Parliament is outside of our control, ARB, AACA and NZRAB have begun discussions in anticipation of the UK Bill successfully becoming an Act of Parliament.

If I want to register now, what should I do?

Individuals wishing to apply for registration in each country can find further information here:

Who would be eligible to benefit from a recognition agreement?

These details are part of our ongoing discussions but we expect eligibility to be based on an individual’s qualification. This would mean that an agreement would apply to an architect with specific Australian, New Zealand or UK qualifications, which will be referred to in the agreement. We do not expect architects to have an automatic right to registration in one country solely on the basis of their registration status in another.

How would this agreement be affected by free trade agreements between the UK, Australian and New Zealand governments?

The UK and Australian Governments, and the UK and NZ Governments, have signed Free Trade Agreements in December 2021 and February 2022 respectively. These FTAs set out a series of measures that will provide opportunities for a range of professions and services – including architecture. Those opportunities include the exchange of skills, expertise, collaboration and employment opportunities between the respective countries.

The signing of mutual recognition agreement between ARB, AACA and NZRAB is not dependent on these free trade agreements.

What would this mean for existing arrangements for architects between Australia and New Zealand?

Australian and New Zealand registered architects are already entitled to registration and to practise in those respective countries, under the NZ-Australia Closer Economic Relations agreement and the associated Trade in Services Protocol and the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement. The MRA under development with the United Kingdom would support recognition and registration of architects between Australia and New Zealand and the United Kingdom (and vice versa).

Contact

If you would like further information, contact details for each regulator are below:

 

AACA logo white

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

Phone: +61 (2) 8042 8930
Email: [email protected]

Information

Useful Links

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.

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