The Standard maps the development of competency on the path to registration as an architect in Australia.
Architectural Practice Examination
The AACA Architectural Practice Examination is a nationally consistent competency based assessment. The Architectural Practice Examination comprises three parts - completion of a Log Book and Statement of Practical Experience, an on-line National Examination Paper and an interview with architect practitioners. Candidates who have satisfactorily met the requirements of all three parts of the Architectural Practice Examination may apply for registration to the Architects Registration Board in any state or territory in Australia.
1 Part 1 Log Book and Statement of Practical Experience
2 Part 2 On-line National Examination Paper
3 Part 3 Examination by Interview
| Level Required L | Knowledge Domains | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regulatory R | Social & Ethical S | Environmentally Sustainable E | Disciplinary D | Communication C | ||
1. Design: Project briefing
| 1.1 Preparation & endorsement of an agreement between client and Architect. This agreement will clearly communicate terms, services to be provided, and fees appropriate for the scale and type of project. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 Establishment, analysis and evaluation of client project requirements and objectives. | 1 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary |
| 1.3 Assessment of project budget and timeframe against project requirements and objectives. | 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 1.4 Identification of factors that may impact on client project requirements and objectives. | 1 2 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary |
| 1.5 Knowledge of different procurement processes available and evaluation of the impact these have on the project. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 1.6 Selection and presentation to clients and relevant stakeholders of procurement method for the project. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain |
| 1.7 Preparation of project brief for approval by client and relevant stakeholders. | 2 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain |
2. Design: Pre-Design
| 2.1 Identification, analysis and integration of information relevant to siting of project. | 1 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 Application of principles controlling planning, development and design for the project site. | 1 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary |
| 2.3 Evaluation of factors influencing and impacting on project cost. | 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 2.4 Analysis of project brief in relation to clients objective budget and timeframe. | 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 2.5 Attainment of approval from client of project budget and timeframe. | 2 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain |
| 2.6 Preparation and analysis of project development options in response to project brief. | 3 | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain |
3. Design: Conceptual Design
| 3.1 Design response integrates the objectives of brief, user intent and built purpose. | 3 | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 Application of creative imagination, aesthetic judgement and critical evaluation in formulating design options. | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 3.3 Design response incorporates assessment of the physical location and relevant wider regional, contextual and environmental issues. | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 3.4 Design response incorporates assessment of relevant legislation, codes and industry standards. | 1 2 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary |
| 3.5 Exploration and application of ordering, sequencing and modelling of three-dimensional form and spatial content. | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 3.6 Assessment of the economic impact on the project of design strategies and options. | 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 3.7 Assessment and integration of construction systems and materials consistent with project brief. | 2 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 3.8 Application of manual and digital graphic techniques and modelling to describe three-dimensional form and spatial relationships. | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
4. Design: Schematic Design
| 4.1 Evaluation of design options in relation to project requirements. | 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 Evaluation of design options against values of physical, environmental and cultural contexts. | 3 | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain |
| 4.3 Application of creative imagination aesthetic judgement to produce coherent design | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 4.4 Inclusion of expertise of relevant specialists and consultants in developing the project design. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 4.5 Investigation and integration of appropriate structural, construction, service and transport systems in the project design. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 4.6 Investigation and integration of appropriate material selection for the project design. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 4.7 Coordination and integration of appropriate environmental systems, including for thermal comfort, lighting and acoustics. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 4.8 Analysis of schematic design in regard to cost planning and timeframe to comply with client and project requirements. | 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain |
| 4.9 Obtain approval for the design from client and and/or relevant stakeholders. | 2 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain |
5. Documentation: Detailed Design
| 5.1 Application of creative imagination and aesthetic judgement in producing a resolved project design in regard to site planning, physical composition and spatial planning as appropriate to the project brief. | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.2 Resolution of project design addressing all building occupancy and functional aspects including spatial requirements and relationships and circulation aspects. | 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain |
| 5.3 Evaluation and integration of regulatory requirements. | 1 2 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 5.4 Integration of structural and construction systems in resolved project design. | 2 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 5.5 Integration of materials and components based upon an understanding of their physical properties. | 2 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 5.6 Integration of relevant technical services, environmental and transportation systems. | 2 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 5.7 Resolution of project design to address budget and time constraints. | 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 5.8 Presentation of detailed design to facilitate relevant client and stakeholder approvals. | 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain |
6. Documentation: Documentation
| 6.1 Identification and adoption of a strategy, program and process of documentation integrated through all project stages to enable project delivery. | 1 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2 Continuing coordination and integration of information and project material from relevant consultants, specialists and suppliers. | 1 2 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary |
| 6.3 Incorporation of the project requirements and objectives in accordance with Project Brief and approved Detailed Design. | 1 3 | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 6.4 Timely completion and communication of accurate and comprehensible documents that will include, as required, drawings, models, specifications, schedules and other relevant modes of information. | 1 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain |
| 6.5 Nomination of quality and performance standards with regard to selected materials, finishes, fittings components and systems. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary |
| 6.6 Identification and description within the project documentation of the type and scope of separate project trades and sub-contractors as required. | 2 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain |
| 6.7 Establishment of quality assurance systems to ensure consistency and completeness of project documentation in accordance with the requirement fo the project brief, project timeframe and project budget. | 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 6.8 Project documentation is in accordance with, and appropriate to, the project contract and project procurement procedure. | 1 2 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain |
7. Project Delivery: Procurement
| 7.1 Identification of available procurement methods and assessment of relevance and application to the project. | 1 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.2 Selection of procurement method incorporates assessment of the impact on all phases of project including design, documentation and project delivery. | 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 7.3 Selection of procurement method incorporates assessment of the impact on contractual arrangements between all project stakeholders. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 7.4 Selection of procurement method incorporates assessment of the impact on selection, contracting and scope of work of consultants and specialist service providers. | 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 7.5 Preparation of report and recommendations to enable client to make approval of procurement method and all associated contracts. | 2 3 | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain |
| 7.6 Knowledge and application of all administration and principles for the selected procurement method and associated contracts. | 2 3 | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
8. Project Delivery: Construction Stage
| 8.1 Selection process for appropriately qualified contractors is in accordance with procurement method and project contract. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.2 Recommendation regarding contractor selection and specifics of project contract are made to the client for their approval. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain |
| 8.3 Identification and application of the process and administration systems needed to fulfil all obligations under project contract. | 1 2 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 8.4 Construction progress and quality is systematically reviewed and monitored as required under the contract provisions. | 1 2 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 8.5 Identification and application of all relevant processes required for certification of monetary claims, project variations, extensions of time, project instructions or other administrative responsibilities under the contract provisions. | 1 2 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain |
| 8.6 Monitoring project requirements and objectives as described in project documents are met. | 2 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain |
| 8.7 Identification and application of appropriate and consistent systems for record keeping and maintenance of document revisions. | 2 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 8.8 Ensure that warranties, schedules, as built documentation, certificates, approvals and other project information are completed and handed to the client and relevant authorities as required under the contract. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain |
| 8.9 Undertake post occupancy evaluation if required under the scope of the project agreement. | 2 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Critical Domain |
9. Practice Management
| 9.1 Knowledge and implementation of appropriate practice model to ensure efficient, effective and ethical professional service. | 3 | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 Knowledge and application of practice resources required to ensure efficient and effective professional service. | 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 9.3 Identification and application of practice systems and quality management systems to facilitate efficient and timely delivery of architectural services in accordance with project objectives. | 3 | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 9.4 Establishment of project team and practice structures required to deliver the professional services in a timely manner. | 3 | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Critical Domain |
| 9.5 Knowledge of the legal and ethical obligations relating to copyright and intellectual property requirements. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary |
| 9.6 Knowledge and application of professional ethics and ethical practices in respect to practice management and provision of professional service. | 2 3 | Necessary | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary |
| 9.7 Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements and obligations in regard to architectural practice, practice management and registration as an architect. | 2 3 | Critical Domain | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary |
| 9.8 Clear and consistent communication with client and relevant stakeholders throughout project. | 3 | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary | Necessary | Necessary |
| 9.9 Provision of independent and objective advice through all phases of professional practice. | 2 3 | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary | Critical Domain | Necessary |