What is an architect?

On this page, you will find more detail about what architects do and why they are regulated by the ARBV.

Architects design the buildings and places we use every day. Some architects specialise in houses, some design commercial buildings like skyscrapers and factories, and others create interiors or outdoor spaces.

If you are engaging an architect to design a project for you, it's important that you can trust in their skills and experience. That's why architects in Victoria must be registered with the ARBV.

Search for an architect

If someone is not registered with the ARBV, they are not an architect. They cannot describe themselves as an 'architect' or cause people to believe they are an architect. They also may not say they offer 'architectural services', 'architectural design services' and 'architectural design' – even if they have relevant qualifications or are registered in another state, territory or country.

What architects do

Architects may be involved in every stage of planning, designing and constructing a project.

Architects may be involved in:

selecting sites and conducting feasibility studies
designing and planning buildings and outdoor spaces
maximising the project's environmental efficiency
coordinating regulatory approvals (such as planning and building permits)
managing budget and the construction process
coordinating specialists and consultants
overseeing building maintenance.

Architects often work alongside other specialists such as engineers, builders and surveyors to ensure a building project is completed safely and to a high standard.

What skills and expertise do architects typically have?

When producing plans, documentation, specifications and reports for a project, an architect must typically have skills, expertise and provide advice around the following items:

material selection and construction methods
regulatory requirements under building legislation, the National Construction Code (NCC) and Australian Standards
Planning controls, zones, overlays and special building requirements
Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating for buildings in bushfire prone areas
the Victorian Code for Tendering, to assist with a fair and equitable tender process
application processes for planning and building permits
the preparation of building contracts
undertaking project administration and monitoring the building progress on behalf of the client
seeking and coordinating input from specialist consultants.

Who can call themselves an architect?

Only those registered as an architect in Victoria. There are 2 classes of architect in Victoria:

architect (practising)
architect (non-practising).

To register as an architect in Victoria, an individual must have successfully completed the following:

a 5-year Master of Architecture or equivalent qualification
a minimum 2 years’ practical experience
a registration pathway to demonstrate competency across all areas under the National Standard of Competency for Architects.

How are architects regulated?

The ARBV is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date register of all architects working in Victoria. To work as an architect in Victoria, you must be registered in the Architect (practising) class and fulfil the following obligations:

successfully complete a registration pathway and be certified by the ARBV
pay the annual registration fee
ensure appropriate professional indemnity insurance is in place and provide proof to the ARBV
comply with professional obligations, including those provided by the Architects Act 1991 and the Architects Regulations 2015 (including the Victorian Architects Code of Professional Conduct)
complete annual CPD
be a fit and proper person.

If you are considering working with an architect, you may find it helpful to look at our working with an architect section.

More information

Find out more about working with an architect.
Find an architect for your project.

Other design professionals and building practitioners you may encounter

Professional engineers play an important role in the building process and assist architects and other professionals in the development of specific elements of the building design, documentation and specifications to ensure compliant construction. Mandatory registration of professional engineers in Victoria is currently being phased in and all professional engineers will be required to be registered by 1 December 2023. Registered professional engineers must be competent in the skills and knowledge related to the area/areas of engineering they are registered in.
There are 5 areas of professional engineering in Victoria. Detailed information about the registration requirements for professional engineers can be found on the Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) Website.
- structural engineers
- civil engineers
- mechanical engineers
- electrical engineers
- fire safety engineers.
Each area of professional engineering has a specific set of services they are able to provide for a building project.
To register as a professional engineer in Victoria you must have successfully completed the following:
- a Bachelor or Master of Engineering degree in the area of engineering they are applying, or equivalent
- a minimum 5 years’ practical experience gained in the last 10 years
- apply for endorsement to practise and demonstrate competency across all areas of experience
- apply for registration.
To work as a professional engineer in Victoria you must be endorsed by and registered with the Business Licensing Authority (BLA). More information about professional engineers, including registration and endorsement requirements can be found on the CAV website.
There are 3 categories of draftsperson/building designer in Victoria. Detailed information about each class can be found on the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) website:
1. building design (architectural)
2. building design (interior)
3. building design (services).
Each category of building designer must be registered with the VBA and has a specific set of services they are able to provide for a building project.
Building design (architectural)
A building design (architectural) can provide design services, including plans and other documents for building works. They can also prepare applications for planning and building permits, assist in tendering of building projects and provide advice and monitoring during the construction phase of the works.
The key difference between the services provided by a building designer and an architect are:
- building designers complete at minimum an Advanced Diploma and 2 years of practical experience. Architects, however, are required to have completed a 5-year master’s in architecture and are required to complete a minimum of 2 years practical experience
- during their studies architects focus on both creative and technical thinking
- architects are taught a variety of management skills, including time, project and importantly, relationship management
- architects are often appointed as project lead to brief and coordinate a range of specialist consultants, including engineers, planners, and surveyors to assist with the development of the project.
More information about Building Design (architectural) practitioners can be found on the VBA website.
Building design (interior)
A building design (interior) practitioner can provide design services for the internal works of a building. They cannot provide documentation and recommendations for the external components of a building. They are responsible for the plans and specifications of building interiors including the internal structure of the building. Building design (interior) practitioners can prepare drawings and documentation for the purposes of applying for building permits relating to the internal works of a building. They may also assist in monitoring the construction of the works they produce.
More information about building design (interior) practitioners can be found on the VBA website.
Building design (services)
A building design (services) practitioner are responsible for producing documentation and specifications for the design of electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic services for all types of construction. Building designers services work with endorsed building engineers to produce compliant designs and documentation for building permits and to guide installation. Although architects may assist in preparing services designs and documentation, they often work alongside specialist consultants to ensure regulatory compliance.
More information about building design (services) practitioners can be found on the VBA website.
Building surveyors play an important role in the building process and assist architects and other professionals in the development of building permit documentation, mandatory building inspections, and the assessment of compliant construction. Building surveyors are a key component of the specialist consultant team for your project. They can provide advice to architects on the selection of materials, finishes and construction methods to meet regulatory requirements.
Registered building surveyors must be competent in the following skills:
- assess and determine an application for a building permit, including reviewing the plans, documentation, and specifications for building compliance
- issue building permits and carry out mandatory building inspection during the building works (construction)
- issue certificates of final inspection and occupancy certificates
- approve temporary occupation of buildings
- enforce safety and building standards, by issuing directions to fix non-compliant building works.
There are 2 classes of Building Surveyors in Victoria:
1. building surveyor (limited)
2. building surveyor (unlimited).
Each class of building surveyor must be registered with the VBA and has a specific set of services they are able to provide for a building project. More information can be found on the VBA website.
A registered building inspector conducts building works inspections and provides reports on behalf of the relevant building surveyor.
Registered building inspectors must be competent in the following skills:
- inspections of building works, at the request of the relevant building surveyor, to confirm compliance with the building permit and regulations
- preparation of written inspection record of the works
- reporting when building works fail to comply with regulations
- providing oral instructions to fix non-compliant building works under the instruction of the relevant building surveyor.
There are 3 classes of building inspector in Victoria:
1. building inspector (limited) – up to 500sqm or up to 2000sqm
2. building inspector (unlimited)
3. building inspector (pool safety).
Registered building inspectors monitor building standards throughout Victoria. Each category of building inspector must be registered with the VBA and has a specific set of services they are able to provide for a building project. More information can be found on the VBA website.
A project manager (domestic) is responsible for managing residential building projects during the construction phase of the works. They are not qualified or allowed to do any of the building works.
They can:
- coordinate the work of a registered building practitioner but cannot conduct any works themselves
- provide advice to clients in understanding the construction process and assist in the assessment of variations to the project’s cost, time and quality
- help monitor progress on site and ensure time, cost and quality are in line with the contracted works.
Please note that persons working under this class of registration cannot apply for a building permit or produce drawings for the purposes of applying for a building permit.
There are different types of project managers in the construction industry. Many project managers work in commercial building and are not currently subject to any registration requirements in Victoria. More information can be found on the VBA website.
An interior designer provides services for the internal works of a building. Interior design professionals can assist clients with all works associated with the interior layout, planning, material selections and finishes of a project, as long as they do not change the building structure. Interior designers often form part of the specialist consultant team that work alongside architects in the delivery of a project.
Interior designers, unlike architects and building designers (interior), cannot produce drawings and documentation for the purposes of obtaining a building permit.
Interior designers are not a regulated profession.
A landscape architect is a specialist in the plans, documentation and specifications of the outdoor environment. Landscape architects assist clients with all works associated with the planning, layout, spatial relationships, material selections and finishes of the external works to a project. This may include, working out levels to pathways, steps and ramps, seating, signage, garden bed locations, planting, etc.
Landscape Architects often form part of the specialist consultant team that work alongside architects in the delivery of a project.
Landscape architects are not a regulated profession.
Landscape architects often work alongside urban planners in the development of civil projects, including parks, playgrounds, roads, and public spaces, many of which are not directly related to building construction.

Updated 30 September 2024