Architects Registration Board of Victoria

Full description

Establishment

In the early 1920's the professional association of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects urged the Government to pass legislation to provide for the registration of architects. The association aspired to formally establish the professional status of architects by regulating standards and architectural practice.

The Architects Registration Act 1922 (3207), the first legislation passed regulating architects, established the statutory authority of the Architects Registration Board of Victoria. The Board held their first monthly meeting on the 9 April 1923.

Function and Operation

The function of the Board was to act as a statutory registration body for the architectural profession. The Board was empowered to issue or cancel certificates of registration, take proceedings for offences against the Act, and prescribe standards for the professional conduct required of practising registered architects. The Board also determined the standards required for registration, by prescribing the course of study including external training, holding the examinations and appointing the examiners.

The 1922 Act also sought to protect the title of architect, by restricting the use of the term "registered architect" to those registered with the Board (with a few exceptions) and providing for penalties for misuse of the title. It was not until the 1939 Act the term was altered to "architect" and that all practicing architects were required to register or not use the title.

The Board consisted originally of seven members appointed by the GovernorinCouncil. Two members were nominated by associated professional organisations, two were nominated representatives of registered architects, and three were nominated by the Minister.

In 1991 the Board conducted a formal review of the requirement for professional regulation. After representation from the profession itself and interested parties, the Board concluded that architects should continue to be regulated. The focus of the new Act, and therefore the Board, should be in the public interest (inherent in registration and regulation), not in the protection of architects per se. The new Act clarified these principles and provided the Board with a sound legal and procedural base on which to act in the public interest. The Architects Act 1991 was proclaimed, with the new Board holding their first meeting on the 18September.

This new Board was reconstituted, with consumer interest membership having a significant role in the Board and the Tribunals, with an obligation to investigate and report on complaints imposed, and an appeal mechanism to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal introduced.

The new Board consisted of eight members, two nominations by the Minister of Consumer Affairs, three nominations made by various professional organisations, two representatives nominated by architects and one government architect nominated by the Minister.

The Board appoints a registrar and administrative support staff to assist in executing the requirements under the Act and those administrative and operational guidelines stipulated in the Board's regulations.

Administrative Arrangements

The Board operates independently of any government agency, maintains its own funding, and reports directly to the Minister who administers the Architects Act. The Minister's defined role includes establishing the composition of the Board's membership and approving the Board's regulations. The Board was required to report to the Minister and the Auditor General on a annual basis. The Act was administered by the following Ministers for the periods indicated:

Minister for Public Works 1922-1987
Minister for Housing and Construction 1987-1991
Minister for Planning and Housing 1991-1992
Minister for Planning 1992-ct

Legislation

Architects Registration Act 1922 (No.3207)
Architects Registration Act 1927 (No.3539)
Architects Act 1928 (No.3638)
Architects Act 1939 (No.4659)
Architects Act (Amendment) 1953 (No.5707)
Statue Law Revision Act 1955 (No.5896)
Architects Act 1958 (No.6201)
Architects Act 1991 (No.13/1991)

Location of Records

Most records of this Agency are still in the custody of the Architects Registration Board. For records that have been transferred to the custody of the Public Record Office see the list of series below.