Thinking of starting a career as an architect in Australia? You’ll need to become licensed first, and each state and territory has their own requirements for architect licensing. Let’s explore the different architect pathways around Oz and how to protect your new business with architect insurance.
How to get your architect license in the Australian Capital Territory
You must be licensed to work as an architect in the ACT. You will need to meet the following requirements to register:
- Complete an approved bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or other qualification in architecture.
- Pass the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) administered by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Provide one personal reference (who is not a family member) to show you are of good character.
- Provide one professional reference, preferably written by an architect.
ACT architect licenses are granted for one year and expire on 1 March. You must renew your license every year to maintain your registration.
What if I have a license from another state or territory or from overseas?
Architects with qualifications from other Australian states or territories and New Zealand can apply to have theirs recognised by the ACT Architects Board.
How to get your architect license in New South Wales
A license is required to work as an architect in NSW. To apply for full architect registration, you must:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or other qualification in architecture. The program must be accredited by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Complete a minimum amount of work experience in architecture (usually through an internship).
- Pass the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) administered by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Hold Professional Indemnity insurance.
NSW architect licenses are granted for one, three or five years. You will need to renew your license before it expires.
What if I have a license from another state or territory or from overseas?
If you are already registered as an architect elsewhere in Australia or in New Zealand, you can apply to have it recognised in NSW.
Those with other overseas architect registrations can apply for temporary registration. This allows you to work for a limited period of time.
How to get your architect license in the Northern Territory
You will need to meet specific architect requirements to work in the NT. These include:
- Completing a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or other qualification in architecture. The program must be accredited by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Passing the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) administered by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Obtaining a Police Name check.
NT architect licenses are good for one year and must be renewed every year to keep practising in the territory.
What if I have a license from another state or territory or from overseas?
The NT Architects Board recognises qualifications from other Australian states and territories and New Zealand. You can apply to work in the NT under a Mutual Recognition application.
How to get your architect license in Queensland
Aspiring architects in Queensland will need to meet the state’s architect licensing requirements:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or other qualification in architecture. The program must be accredited by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Complete a minimum of 2 years practical experience, with at least one year in Australia and the other post entitlement to complete your academic qualification.
- Pass the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) administered by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
QLD architect licenses are valid for one financial year. You must renew your license each financial year to continue to practise in the state.
What if I have a license from another state or territory or from overseas?
Practising architects from other areas of Australia and New Zealand can apply to have their license recognised by the Board of Architects of Queensland.
Other overseas architects may be able to apply for architect licensing in QLD by passing the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia’s Experienced Practitioner Assessment (Overseas).
How to get your architect license in South Australia
You must meet South Australia’s architect requirements to work in the state. These include:
- Complete a Master of architecture or other approved course from a recognised university.
- Pass the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) administered by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Request a current National Police Clearance.
- Hold Professional Indemnity insurance.
South Australia has four registration categories:
- Practising
- Non-practising – This includes architects who are not practising for a variety of reasons, including retirement, unemployment, or working outside of SA.
- Architectural business – Including a company or partnership.
- Limited – The Architectural Practise Board of SA may place limitations on a license if the applicant does not meet the state’s requirements.
Architect licenses in SA are valid for one financial year and must be renewed before 30 June each year.
What if I have a license from another state or territory or from overseas?
Architects from other Australian states or territories can apply to have their license recognised in South Australia.
Overseas architects can complete the Overseas Experienced Architects Assessment (OEA), which allows them to register as an architect in the state.
How to get your architect license in Tasmania
Tasmanian architects must first meet the state’s requirements before they can use the title ‘architect’:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or other qualification in architecture. The program must be accredited by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Pass the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) administered by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Have a minimum of 2 years of practical experience, with one year completed after passing the APE.
- Hold a minimum of $1 million in Professional Indemnity insurance.
This registration also allows you to register as a building services provider under the Occupational Licensing Act, which is required to work on projects totalling $20,000 or more.
Architect licenses in TAS are good for one year and expire on 31 December. You must renew your license every year to remain a practising architect.
What if I have a license from another state or territory or from overseas?
Architects with qualifications from elsewhere in Australia or New Zealand can apply to have their license recognised in Tasmania.
How to get your architect license in Victoria
To become an architect in Victoria, you will need to meet the state’s architect requirements:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or other qualification in architecture. The program must be accredited by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Have a minimum of 2 years of practical experience (typically gained through an internship)
- Pass the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) administered by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Hold Professional Indemnity insurance.
There are two classes of registration in VIC: Architect (practising) and Architect (non-practising). Non-practising architects are either no longer working in the state, will be on extended leave, or retiring.
Victorian architect licenses expire each financial year. You must renew it every year by making declarations regarding your CPD requirements and changes to your circumstances that may impact your architect registration. You will also need to provide proof of Professional Indemnity insurance at renewal.
What if I have a license from another state or territory or from overseas?
If you are registered as an architect overseas, you can apply in Victoria through the Experienced Practitioner Assessment pathway.
Registered architects from other parts of Australia or New Zealand may be able to register in VIC through the mutual recognition pathway.
How to get your architect license in Western Australia
To begin your career as an architect in Western Australia, you must:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or other qualification in architecture. The program must be accredited by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Complete a minimum amount of work experience in architecture (usually through an internship).
- Pass the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) administered by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.
- Hold a minimum of $1 million in Professional Indemnity insurance.
- Not be convicted of an offence that renders you unfit to be a registered architect.
There are two classes of registration in Western Australia: Practising and Non-practising. Non-practising architects are generally retired, academics, or no longer living in WA.
Architect licenses in WA are good for one year and expire on 30 June. You must renew your license each year to continue practising in the state.
What if I have a license from another state or territory or from overseas?
Practising architects from other Australian states or territories and New Zealand can apply to have their qualifications recognised in WA.
Overseas architects can complete the Experienced Practitioner Assessment (EPA) to practise in WA. You will be asked to present a portfolio of work that shows you have the required architectural skills and knowledge to work in Australia.
Business insurance for busy architects
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And while your sorting Professional Indemnity insurance to meet licensing requirements, you can also compare other policies commonly considered by Aussie architects. From Public Liability and Business Insurance Packages to Cyber Liability and Management Liability, you can protect your growing architecture business and save with BizCover.
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