The National Standard of Competency for Architects establishes the Standard for architectural education and assessment of professional competency prior to registration as an Architect in Australia

The Standard identifies the primary activities that are fundamental to the practice of architecture and in relation to which an architect is expected to demonstrate competence in the delivery of professional services.

Competency standards are occupational functions (expressed as Performance Criteria) that a candidate should be able to perform effectively in an ordinary work environment. The National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA) sets out functions important to the profession of architecture, rather than simply measuring knowledge in isolation from skills, or time spent in formal education. 

The Standard applies to the accreditation of architecture programs, Overseas Qualifications Assessment, the National Program of Assessment, the Architectural Practice Examination and the Experienced Practitioner Assessment. It consists of 4 Units of Competency covering Design, Documentation, Project Delivery and Practice Management, which contain 70 individual Performance Criteria and 5 Knowledge Domains which underpin all Performance Criteria.

The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) has maintained the National Standard of Competency for Architects (previously known as the National Competency Standards in Architecture) since 1990, in collaboration with the architectural sector and Australian state and territory Architects registration boards.