Architects Act and Regulations

The current Act and Regulations can be viewed Online Act & Regulation

Amendments to Architects Act and draft new Regulations

The Architects Amendment Act 2020 received Royal Assent on 17 November 2020 and commence on 1 November 2023.

The main changes contained in the amendment Bill included the introduction of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) and allowing the Board to create Classes for registration with different practicing requirements.

The initial Classes will be:

  • Practising Architect – required to be covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance, and comply with the Board’s CPD requirements
  • Non-practising Architect    – no PII requirements and comply with the Board’s CPD requirements (retired architects can apply for an exemption)
  • AMR Practising Architect – AMR legislation complying interstate architect
  • Architectural Firm – required to have at least one Practicing architect nominated as a responsible architect

The Department of Justice has now developed the new Architects Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) to replace the existing Architects Regulations 2018. The Department are now seeking community input into the proposed regulations.

The Regulations make a number of changes, including changes necessary to facilitate amendments made by the Architects Amendment Act 2020, which have not yet commenced.

Key changes within the Regulations include:

  • providing the Board of Architects (the Board) with the ability to set approved architectural qualifications for eligibility to be registered;
  • for the Board to issue or approve a Code of Practice for architects; and
  • for the Board to suspend registration of an architect for insufficient insurance.