Mutual recognition

Any person who intends to provide architectural services in Victoria, who has registration from an interstate Board or in New Zealand, is required to be registered by the ARBV through Mutual Recognition or alternatively, they may be eligible to work under the Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme if they have met the ARBV’s notification and public protection requirements and remain eligible to work under AMR.

Mutual recognition allows architects who are registered in other Australian states or territories, New Zealand and select other countries to register as architects in Victoria without completing a formal assessment or examination.

To be eligible for mutual recognition from another Australian jurisdiction or New Zealand, you must:

be currently registered as an architect by a relevant registration board
have professional indemnity insurance.

Practitioners would use mutual recognition if relocating to Victoria from interstate or New Zealand. If you are registered interstate and will continue to reside interstate and only intend to work in Victoria, you may be eligible for Automatic Mutual Recognition.

Mutual recognition arrangements are currently in place with the following countries:

To apply for registration using mutual recognition, please go to the ARBV Portal.

Automatic Mutual Recognition

The Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) scheme allows individuals to use their home state occupational registration to work in participating Australian states and territories, without needing to apply for registration or pay fees in the host state. Only architects registered in Australia and whose home state has adopted AMR can use AMR – an architect registered in NZ or other countries will not be able to rely on their registration from their country of origin to use AMR. Similarly, an architect from a state that has not adopted AMR will not be entitled to use AMR at this stage.

To access AMR, practitioners must notify the ARBV of their intention to practise in Victoria via an online form (see link below) – please note that the ARBV needs to process the notification; simply submitting a notification via the form does not give practitioners “automatic” access to the AMR scheme. Practitioners must also meet public protection requirements. For architects, this means you must demonstrate you have professional indemnity insurance coverage to work in Victoria. Commencement of AMR for architects wishing to work in Victoria is 1 January 2022.

A practitioner’s ability to work in Victoria under AMR lasts indefinitely and does not need to be renewed, provided the practitioner holds a valid registration issued by their home state. AMR comes to an end when a practitioner’s registration in their home state ceases or they are subject to disciplinary action in their home state or any other state where they are practising as architects.

A practitioner’s ability to work under AMR may also be impacted if they are subject to disciplinary action by the ARBV or any other Australian architect registration board. The ARBV has obligations to notify other registration boards in relation to investigations or actions against practitioners that may lead to disciplinary proceedings, and this can affect the practitioner’s home state registration and any interim or automatic deemed registration elsewhere. A practitioner will be informed by the ARBV of investigations or actions against them that may lead to disciplinary proceedings.

Victorian practitioners who wish to practise in another state or territory under the AMR scheme should contact the relevant architect registration board to check whether the scheme has commenced in that jurisdiction.

It is an offence to provide architectural services or call yourself an architect in Victoria if you have not registered or notified us (when operating under the AMR scheme). Offenders may be charged or fined under the Architects Act 1991.

It is your responsibility to be aware of, and ensure compliance with, the relevant laws when you undertake work in Victoria. Architects seeking to work in Victoria must comply with the Architects Act, which includes compliance with public protection requirements. This means you must hold the required insurance when you notify the ARBV of your intention to practise in Victoria and you must provide ongoing proof of insurance to the ARBV when your insurance is renewed.

Find out more information about Professional Indemnity Insurance requirements.

How to notify

Practitioners who intend to work in Victoria are required to notify the ARBV.

Once the form has been submitted, practitioners will receive an acknowledgement letter from the ARBV. Once we confirm you have met the public protection requirements, we will provide a confirmation letter. The confirmation letter will allow you to work in Victoria as an architect and provide architectural services. The letter will also include an Automatic Deemed Registration (ADR) number. This ADR number can only be used in Victoria.

Notify ARBV

ADR Practitioner Register

Access the ADR Practitioner Register to see who is currently operating under the AMR scheme in Victoria.

ADR Practitioner Register

Home state registration
Eligibility for the AMR scheme requires that practitioners have permanent residence outside of Victoria. You must apply for registration if you move to Victoria on a permanent basis.
Those with registration from another Australian state or territory who move to Victoria on a permanent basis must apply for registration in Victoria under Mutual Recognition.
You may apply for registration via the ARBV Portal.
AMR is not applicable to companies or partnerships
AMR notifications are only applicable for individual architects. Companies and Partnerships must apply for registration under the normal provisions as provided in the Architects Act 1991. Please see Company and Partnership approval for more information.
AMR is not applicable to practitioners from New Zealand
New Zealand practitioners who move to Victoria must apply for registration in Victoria under Mutual Recognition in accordance with the Mutual Recognition Agreement or the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997.
New Zealand practitioners can apply for registration via the ARBV Portal.
What is AMR?
Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) is a national scheme that enables registered or licensed workers who hold an occupational licence to be able to work in another state or territory without having to apply or pay for a new registration or licence.
This scheme, which amends the Commonwealth Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (MRA), is implemented and administered by state and territory governments and regulators.
What is the purpose of AMR?
AMR is aimed at increasing national occupational mobility to boost economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and improving Australia’s economic productivity.
When did AMR commence for architects and building occupations in Victoria?
AMR commenced in Victoria for architects and most building occupations on 1 January 2022. Workers registered in a building or architectural occupation in another state can use AMR to work in Victoria subject to notification and public protection requirements having been met.
Please check with the Victorian Building Authority website for further details about building occupations.
How is AMR different from the current mutual recognition scheme?
AMR differs from the existing mutual recognition scheme in several important ways:
- A person can use their home state occupational registration or licence to work under AMR in participating jurisdictions. Under the existing mutual recognition scheme, you needed to apply and pay for a new occupational registration or licence in each jurisdiction.
- Under AMR, unless you are required to provide a notification of intention to work or satisfy public protection requirements under the laws of a host state, you can work in a host jurisdiction immediately. Under the existing system, you needed a registration or licence from the host state before you could commence work. Please note that architects intending to practise under AMR in Victoria must provide a notification of intention to work.
I have a registration from my home state and registrations in other states. Which one do I use for the purpose of AMR?
You must use your ‘home state’ registration as defined by section 42A(3) of the MRA. This means your home state registration is either your registration from the state that is your principal place of residence or principal place of work. If the state of your principal place of residence and the state of your principal place of work are different, your home state is the one chosen by you.
When working under AMR, am I subject to the laws of my home state or the state I’m working in?
When using AMR, the laws applying to that activity in the host state will apply to you. In the Victorian building industry, this means that people from interstate seeking to carry out building work will need to ensure they comply with all laws governing building work in Victoria.
Importantly, host state laws apply equally to all people carrying out the activity irrespective if the person is a local practitioner or comes from interstate. Similarly, a host state cannot predicate your entitlement to AMR on the attainment or possession of additional qualifications or experience, meaning you will not be required to undertake any further training or CPD even if practitioners in the host state are required to do so.
Am I eligible for AMR in Victoria?
If you come from a state or territory that has adopted AMR, you are registered as an architect and you would like to work in Victoria, you can use AMR subject to eligibility requirements (see the question below). However, you must notify the ARBV and satisfy any relevant public protection requirements first.
Who is not eligible to work under AMR?
The circumstances described below would affect your ability to work under AMR:
- You are subject to certain criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings in any State (including any preliminary investigations or actions that might lead to such proceedings).
- If any registrations that you are required to hold to carry on an activity, or an occupation that covers that activity, is cancelled or currently suspended in any State as the result of any disciplinary action.
- You are personally prohibited from carrying on an activity, or an occupation that covers the activity, or are subject to any conditions in carrying on an activity, as a result of criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings in any State.
- You are refused registration in any State for an occupation that covers the activity.
- You fail to meet any public protection requirements required by the law of the second State.
- You are not authorised to carry on the activity in a second State under Section 3A of the Act e.g. you may be registered in another State but have obtained mutual recognition rather than AMR.
- You fail to satisfy a relevant requirement for automatic deemed registration.
How do I work in Victoria under AMR?
If you would like to use AMR to work as an architect, you will be required to do two things first:
- You must notify the ARBV of your intent to work in Victoria prior to commencing work, and
- You must demonstrate that you satisfy relevant public protection requirements prior to commencing work in Victoria.
You can access the relevant notification forms and details about requirements from the ARBV (see: How to notify above).
What are the public protection requirements for architects in Victoria?
The MRA defines public protection requirements as ‘a requirement regarding insurance, fidelity funds, trust accounts, minimum financial requirements or the like that is designed to protect the public, clients, customers or others.’
For architects, holding the required insurance will be the sole public protection requirement. Check Victorian insurance requirements relevant to your registration.
Can my right to work under AMR come to an end?
Yes. Your ability to work in Victoria under AMR can come to an end, including where your registration in your home state ceases or you are subject to disciplinary action in your home state or any other state where you are practising as an architect. Your ability to work under AMR may also be impacted if you are subject to disciplinary action by the ARBV.
Can my home state registration be affected by carrying on activities in a second State?
Yes. The ARBV has obligations to notify other architect registration boards in relation to investigations or actions against practitioners that may lead to disciplinary proceedings, and this can affect the practitioner’s home state registration and any interim or automatic deemed registration elsewhere. The ARBV is also obliged to inform you of investigations or actions that may lead to disciplinary proceedings.
How long will I have to wait to work under AMR once it commences?
Once AMR commences for architects, you will be able to use it at any time, subject to first providing the ARBV with the required notification and demonstrating you have met any relevant public protection requirements.
How long does AMR deemed registration last? Does it have to be renewed periodically?
Once you have gained an entitlement to AMR it lasts indefinitely, provided you hold a valid home state registration, have not changed your home state and you continue to meet any relevant public protection requirements.
There is no requirement to renew your entitlement to AMR.
What am I permitted to do when I am working under AMR?
Once you have gained an entitlement to AMR, you will be allowed to carry out in the host state the activities authorised under the occupational registration granted by your home state. However, you must ensure you carry out those activities in line with the laws relevant to that activity in the host state. For interstate architects working in Victoria under AMR, you need to ensure you carry out your activities in line with Victorian building laws, including the Architects Act 1991 and Architect Regulations 2015.
Do I have to pay a fee to work under AMR in Victoria?
No. There is no charge for accessing AMR.
I have partnership/corporate registration in my home state. Can I access AMR under my partnership/corporate name?
No. AMR is available for individuals only. If you wish to operate as a partnership or company, you will need to register your partnership or company in line with requirements under the Architects Act 1991. For more information about company registration, visit the ARBV website.
Victoria does not have an equivalent class of registration to my registration class in my home state. Can I still work in Victoria under AMR?
Under AMR you will be allowed to carry out the same activities in Victoria as those authorised by your home state registration (provided AMR has commenced for those activities). As such, there is no need to determine equivalency between your home state registration and Victorian registrations.
It may be possible that you need a registration to carry out activities connected to your occupation in your home state, but that no registration requirement exists in Victoria. In these circumstances you will not need a registration to carry out those activities in Victoria at all.
If you are not sure whether you need a registration to carry out certain occupational activities in Victoria, contact the ARBV or the VBA.
I have moved to Victoria recently. Can I use my registration from my old home state to work in Victoria under AMR?
No. If Victoria permanently becomes your new principal place of residence or principal place of work, and you no longer live or work in the state where you obtained your substantive registration, you will need to obtain a Victorian registration via the existing mutual recognition pathway. For more information, see the mutual recognition information above.
I am a Victorian registered architect, can I work under AMR in a different state or territory?
Victorian practitioners seeking to work interstate should check whether AMR has commenced for their occupation in the state they wish to work in.
What is AMR?
Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) is a national scheme that enables registered or licensed workers who hold an occupational licence to be able to work in another state or territory without having to apply or pay for a new registration or licence.
This scheme, which amends the Commonwealth Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (MRA), is implemented and administered by state and territory governments and regulators.
What is the purpose of AMR?
AMR is aimed at increasing national occupational mobility to boost economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and improving Australia’s economic productivity.
When did AMR commence for architects and building occupations in Victoria?
AMR commenced in Victoria for architects and most building occupations on 1 January 2022. Workers registered in a building or architectural occupation in another state can begin to use AMR to work in Victoria subject to notification and public protection requirements having been met.
AMR for plumbing work, building surveyors and building inspectors will commence at a later date. Please check with the Victorian Building Authority for more information.
How is AMR different from the current mutual recognition scheme?
AMR differs from the existing mutual recognition scheme in several important ways:
- A practitioner can use their home state occupational registration or licence to work under AMR in participating jurisdictions. Under the mutual recognition scheme, a practitioner needed to apply and pay for a new occupational registration or licence in each jurisdiction.
- A practitioner can carry out the same activities authorised under their home state registration or licence, even if they would normally need two or more registrations or licences in the host state. Under the existing scheme, the practitioner received a separate registration or licence from the host state that is equivalent to their home registration.
- Under AMR, unless a practitioner is required to provide a notification of intention to work or satisfy public protection requirements under the laws of a host state, they can work in a host jurisdiction immediately. Under the mutual recognition scheme, a practitioner needs a registration or licence from the host state before they could commence work. Please note that architects intending to practise under AMR in Victoria must provide a notification of intention to work and satisfy public protection requirements.
When working under AMR in Victoria, is my architect subject to the laws of the host state?
When using AMR, the laws applying to that activity in the host state will apply to your architect. In the Victorian building industry, this means that people from interstate seeking to carry out building work will need to ensure they comply with all laws governing building work in Victoria.
Importantly, host state laws apply equally to all people carrying out the activity irrespective if the person is a local practitioner or comes from interstate.
How are architects eligible to work under AMR in Victoria?
If an architect comes from a state or territory that has adopted AMR, they are registered as an architect and would like to work in Victoria, they can use AMR subject to eligibility requirements (see the question below). However, they must notify the ARBV and satisfy any relevant public protection requirements first.
Who is not eligible to work under AMR?
The circumstances described below would affect an architects ability to work under AMR:
- They are subject to certain criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings in any State (including any preliminary investigations or actions that might lead to such proceedings).
- If any registrations that they are required to hold to carry on an activity, or an occupation that covers that activity, is cancelled or currently suspended in any State as the result of any disciplinary action.
- They are personally prohibited from carrying on an activity, or an occupation that covers the activity, or are subject to any conditions in carrying on an activity, as a result of criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings in any State.
- They are refused registration in any State for an occupation that covers the activity.
- They fail to meet any public protection requirements required by the law of the second State.
- They are not authorised to carry on the activity in a second State under Section 3A of the Act e.g. they may be registered in another State but have obtained mutual recognition rather than AMR.
- They fail to satisfy a relevant requirement for automatic deemed registration.
How do architects work in Victoria under AMR?
If they would like to use AMR to work as an architect, they will be required to do two things first:
- They must notify the ARBV of their intent to work in Victoria prior to commencing work, and
- They must demonstrate that they satisfy relevant public protection requirements prior to commencing work in Victoria.
What are the public protection requirements for architects in Victoria?
The MRA defines public protection requirements as ‘a requirement regarding insurance, fidelity funds, trust accounts, minimum financial requirements or the like that is designed to protect the public, clients, customers or others.’
For architects, holding the required insurance will be the sole public protection requirement. Check Victorian insurance requirements relevant to your registration.
Can I make a complaint against an architect working under AMR?
Yes. Interstate architects working in Victoria under AMR need to ensure they carry out their activities in line with Victorian building laws, including the Architects Act 1991 and Architect Regulations 2015. If you consider there has been a failure by an architect to comply, you can make a complaint to the ARBV.
Information about making a complaint is available on our website, working with an architect.
Can an architect’s ability to work under AMR come to an end?
An architect’s ability to work in Victoria under AMR can come to an end, including where their registration in their home state ceases or they are subject to disciplinary action in their home state or any other state where they are practising as architects. A practitioner’s right to work under AMR may also be impacted if they are subject to disciplinary action by the ARBV.
Can an architect’s home state registration be affected by carrying on activities in a second State?
The ARBV has obligations to notify other architect registration boards in relation to investigations or actions against practitioners that may lead to disciplinary proceedings, and this can affect the practitioner’s home state registration. The ARBV is also obliged to inform an architect of investigations or actions that may lead to disciplinary proceedings.
How long does AMR deemed registration last? Does it have to be renewed periodically?
Once an architect has gained an entitlement to AMR it lasts indefinitely, provided they hold a valid home state registration, have not changed their home state and they continue to meet any relevant public protection requirements.
There is no requirement for an architect to renew their entitlement to AMR.
What activities is an architect permitted to do when working under AMR?
Once they have gained an entitlement to AMR, they will be allowed to carry out in the host state the activities authorised under the occupational registration granted by their home state. However, they must ensure they carry out those activities in line with the laws relevant to that activity in the host state. For interstate architects working in Victoria under AMR, they need to ensure they carry out their activities in line with Victorian building laws, including the Architects Act 1991 and Architect Regulations 2015.

Updated 17 December 2024