The Standard maps the development of competency on the path to registration as an architect in Australia.

APE

The AACA Architectural Practice Examination (APE) is a nationally consistent competency based assessment. The APE comprises three parts - completion of a logbook and Statement of Practical Experience, a written paper and an interview with architect practitioners. Candidates who have satisfactorily met the requirements of all three parts of the APE may apply for registration to the Architects Registration Board in any state or territory in Australia.

1 Part 1 'Electronic Log Book' minimum requirements and Statement of Practical Experience
2 Part 2 National Exam Paper (NEP) Elements and PC's for written exam
3 Part 3 Oral Interview Elements andf PC's required
L Knowledge Domains
  R S E D 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