Updated 20 Apr 2022
Description:
The AACA is the body nominated by the Commonwealth government of Australia for assessing overseas architecture qualifications for the purpose of migration to Australia under the Australian Government Skilled Migration Program. The AACA is the assessing authority for the occupation ‘Architect’, ANZSCO code 232111.
The AACA is also responsible for the assessment of overseas architecture qualifications to determine comparability to an Australian accredited qualification for the purpose of providing access to the Architectural Practice Exam (APE).
2022 Program Update
New submission requirements based on the 2021 National Standard of Competency for Architects are effective 1 March 2022. AACA will allow a grace period of 3 months for candidates to submit their application following the previous guidelines (Guide for applicants and other templates provided by the AACA). However, candidates must submit Stage 1 and 2 together and the AACA can no longer issue a Skills Assessment letter based on Stage 1 outcome alone.
AACA’s Overseas Qualifications Assessment process, conducted in two stages, determines whether an individual overseas academic qualification compares with a current Australian accredited qualification in architecture.
Stage 1 Qualifications Assessment
Stage 1 of the Overseas Qualifications Assessment (OQA) is an assessment of tertiary qualifications in architecture that have been awarded outside of Australia and does allow a graduate to proceed to registration as an architect in the country of the awarding institution.
To be eligible for the Overseas Qualifications Assessment, you must:
Have completed a five year full-time equivalent academic qualification in architecture, by coursework, awarded by an institution outside of Australia.
Note: AACA can accept a 4-year qualification if the qualification, to the time of graduation,
lead to registration as an architect in that country.
Applicants must provide evidence for a minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience, 6
months must be post-graduation. Evidence includes:
An IELTS English Language Test with an overall band score of 6.5 or above, issued within the last three years (or an equivalent English language test that would be accepted by Australian universities);
Stage 2 Final Assessment
OQA Stage 2 is the final stage and completes the Overseas Qualifications Assessment. Through the submission of a project portfolio and participation in a panel interview, applicants have the opportunity to demonstrate how their qualifications have equipped them with the skills, knowledge and competencies required to satisfactorily meet the relevant criteria of the National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA). This is the minimum standard required of a graduate from an accredited program of study in Australia.
The outcome is determined by the applicant’s ability to convincingly demonstrate that they possess the competencies required to adequately meet the relevant performance criteria. Successful participants are eligible to sit the Architecture Practice Examination to register as architect in Australia.
The information on this webpage is a summary only and applicants must follow the detailed information in the Guide for Applicants below.
Eligibility
To be eligible to submit an Overseas Qualifications Assessment Stage 2 application, you must:
- Have completed the Stage 1 Provisional Assessment of the Overseas Qualifications Assessment, regardless of the outcome.
Demonstrate English language proficiency in IELTS with 6.5 in each module.
Assessment Criteria
NSCA Criteria - Portfolio Requirements
A portfolio of two to four architectural projects should be submitted according to the guidelines.
You must include one complex project. It is recommended to include the final thesis project as it offers a good basis to also discuss your educational experience.
Reference letter from the employer on the firm’s letterhead describing the range of project experience the applicant has gained and his/her involvement in project phases, including the supervisor’s contact details.
Payment evidence as additional evidence for the minimum required work experience, for example, payslips, bank statements, taxation documents, records of superannuation or insurance.
Application Fees
- Overseas Qualifications Assessment – Stage 1 & 2: AUD $3,000
- Overseas Qualifications Assessment – Stage 2 only*: AUD $2,300
Apply Online Stage 2 Final Assessment:
Apply Verification Qualification:
Contact Details:
| Office: | Suite 3, Level 5 75 Castlereagh Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 |
| PO Box: | PO Box A2575 SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235 Australia |
| Telephone: | (612) 8042 8930 |
| Email: | mail@aaca.org.au |
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