Unique agreement helps architects register and study between the UK, Australia and New Zealand16 March 2023
AACA, ARB and NZRAB sign trilateral recognition agreement
A new mutual recognition agreement (MRA) has been signed between the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), the UK's Architects Registration Board (ARB), and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB).
The agreement means that from 25 May, eligible architects can benefit from a streamlined registration process that will reduce costs and examinations, making it easier for them to register to work in each country.
The agreement will open up the architects’ profession whilst upholding and maintaining the high standards and safety that help to protect the public. This is because of the alignment between the rigorous competencies required to register in each country, reinforced by the three regulators’ quality assurance processes.
To help improve access to the profession, this unique agreement will also recognise an individuals’ relevant qualifications along the path to becoming an architect. This means someone who has been educated up to and including Master’s level can complete their training in another partner country and benefit from the agreement.
Read the full article from the CE's of Australia, United Kingdon and New Zealand
Interested architects or students can find more information on their home regulator’s website:
• Australia – AACA: https://aaca.org.au/mutual-recognition/united-kingdom/
• New Zealand – NZRAB: https://nzrab.nz/c/Pathway-8
• UK – ARB: arb.org.uk/international-routes/
Review of the Registered Architects Act 20053 March 2023
Tēnā koutou
You have probably heard by now that Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) have commenced a review of the Registered Architects Act 2005. The review of our Act is part of a broader programme of work looking at a series of changes to the wider building control system – known as the Building Systems Reforms – which includes reviewing the building consent system, improving consumer protection and changes to occupational regulation.
This is a once in a generation opportunity to have your voice heard on the way architects are regulated. It is 18 years since the Registered Architects Act was enacted in 2005, prior to that it was 42 years since the Architects Act of 1963 and a massive 110 years since the New Zealand Institute of Architects Act was enacted in 1913 to “make provision for the Registration of Architects”.
The Board is encouraging the profession to read the consultation material and make a submission on this important consultation – https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/occupational-regulation-reforms-in-the-building-and-construction-sector/
… what is the Boards position …
For a number of years, the Board have lobbied successive governments for:
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a single registration entity for architects, Licensed Building Practitioners (Design), architectural designers and architectural technicians that sets professional standards, makes registration assessments and decisions, administers public registers, and investigates complaints;
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a single building sector disciplinary tribunal to conduct hearings into serious complaints;
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Restricted Building Work (RBW) being extended to cover almost all buildings with this being delineated into permissible levels based on complexity, difficulty, and risk.
… what the Board will be doing …
The Board supports this review of the Act and will be making a submission. NZRAB is responsible for administering the current Act and we have over the course of our existence identified a number of areas where there are limitations or where changes could be positively made. We also have detailed experience operationalising and putting into practice the Act and the associated Registered Architects Rules 2006.
… the consultation document is in two parts …
Part One covers proposals that have already been developed and are now ready to test with the public. These proposals include proposed changes to the licensing and supervision areas for the entire Licensed Building Practitioners regime and codes of ethics for the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers and Electrical Workers regimes.
Part Two covers areas where MBIE would like early feedback, specifically how the LBP regime competencies and minimum standard for entry can be improved; and a review of the Registered Architects Act and preliminary issues. Feedback from targeted engagement sessions with representatives in the wider architecture profession revealed issues that MBIE considered warranted further exploration and testing with a broader group of stakeholders. Part Two focuses on issues that MBIE would like to seek feedback and evidence on, to inform their understanding of the issues. This is work that is in early stages of the policy development process and is not yet ready to progress to options or proposals for change.
… when making your submission …
It is important to consider that occupational regulation aims to protect the public from harm by ensuring services are performed with reasonable care and skill. Where there is a major risk that substandard work will lead to disastrous failures, harm to the public and destroy consumers’ trust and confidence in the professions, the Government will consider regulation.
The pace of change within our industry since 2005 has been astronomical – with that change we have seen new materials, new technology, increased regulations, the impact of climate change, all leading to an increase in specialisation and design complexity. It is important to consider in your submission how we may be working in 2050 when we can reasonably expect the next review of our Act.
… how to make submission …
Questions are asked throughout the document and there is a collated list at the end. You can provide feedback only on the sections or questions that you consider relevant – for example, if you are a design professional interested in the Registered Architects review and Licensed Building Practitioners competencies, you could choose to only respond to the questions in those sections. If commenting on LBPs and if your comment is specific to the LBP Design class, ensure you note this and if relevant the Area of Practice.
You are strongly encouraged to include evidence to support your views, for example references to specific projects, independent research, facts and figures, or relevant examples.
If you do not wish to make a submission directly, you are welcome to share your views with us, but please do so prior to 19 March 2023 so we can consider inclusion with our submission at info@nzrab.org.
… submissions direct to MBIE close …
Submissions close at 5pm on Thursday, 6 April 2023.
… next steps after April 2023 …
MBIE have signalled that following consideration of the submissions, they will undertake further policy work and develop options for consultation next year, if appropriate. All feedback received will inform the next steps and any proposals for change.
Ngā mihi maioha
Gina Jones - Chair, New Zealand Registered Architects Board
Link to the consultation material: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/occupational-regulation-reforms-in-the-building-and-construction-sector/
Fourth School of Architecture in New Zealand gains accreditation16 November 2022
At its meeting on 8 November 2022, the New Zealand Registered Architects Board approved the accreditation of Auckland University of Technology’s School of Future Environments, Huri te Ao Hoahoanga, Master of Architecture (Professional) programme. The accreditation is for an initial period of three years through until December 2025.
The qualification will be added to the List of Accredited Architecture Qualifications maintained by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia from whom the Board licenses an agreement to accredit the MArch(Prof) programmes in New Zealand.
Having an accredited qualification is a requirement for the primary pathway to registration as an architect in New Zealand.
Auckland University of Technology’s School of Future Environments, Huri te Ao Hoahoanga, becomes the fourth school of architecture in New Zealand to gain accreditation. AUT joins the University of Auckland, Unitec Institute of Technology, and Victoria University of Wellington as the country’s four accredited architecture schools.
The Board wishes to congratulate the school on their achievement and looks forward to hearing about their progress over the coming years.