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Ngày cập nhật:20/12/2024Australian Skills Assessment for Architect: Requirements and Process
The Australian Skills Assessment for Architects ensures your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards for practice. Keep reading to learn about its requirements and how to complete this Australian Architect Skills Assessment and unlock your pathway to work in Australia.
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What is the Australian Skills Assessment for Architects?
Australian Architect Skills Assessment
An Australian skills assessment for architects is a rigorous evaluation of an architect’s qualifications and abilities to ensure they meet the standards required for practicing in Australia.
This assessment is designed to verify that international architects possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and values to contribute effectively to the Australian architectural profession.
The ANZSCO Code for Architects is 232111, corresponding to the MLTSSL and STSOL occupations.
Visas that need a skills assessment to immigrate for Architect
The occupation of “Architect” is listed on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), making it eligible for various skilled migration visas, such as:
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent visa)
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated visa)
- Subclass 489 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa)
- Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage visa)
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)
For further information about Skilled visas, you can refer to “Australian Skilled Visa For 2024 – 2025 Migration“.
To apply for an Australian skilled visa, you must undergo a skills assessment. For architects, the assessing authority is the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA).
They evaluate international academic qualifications and issue skills assessment letters based on accredited architecture programs. This process ensures that incoming architects have the requisite education and training to practice in Australia.
In addition, applicants wishing to migrate to Australia can also refer to VETASSESS, which conducts skills assessments for occupations related to architecture, such as Draftsperson skills assessment,….
How to get an AACA Architect Skills Assessment
The AACA Skills Assessment Pathway
The AACA Architect Skills Assessment consists of two main pathways:
Pathway 1: Overseas Qualifications Assessment (OQA) :
For individuals with overseas qualifications, the AACA conducts an OQA to determine if their qualification is comparable to a current Australian-accredited architecture qualification.
If successful, applicants become eligible to sit for the Architectural Practice Examination (APE), subject to meeting eligibility criteria (including practical experience).
Passing the APE is a prerequisite for applying for registration as an architect with a state or territory Architects Registration Board.
Pathway 2: Accredited Architecture Qualification:
Applicants with an accredited architecture qualification from Australia, New Zealand, or Hong Kong are exempt from the OQA process. They can directly apply for a Skilled Migration Assessment.
The AACA Skills Assessment Requirements
English proficiency
If your architecture program was taught in a language other than English, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency. Acceptable evidence includes:
- IELTS Academic English Language Test: An overall band score of 6.5 or higher, issued within the last three years.
- PTE Academic English Language Test: An overall band score of 61 or higher, issued within the last three years.
- Employer Letter (for Australian residents only): A letter from a current Australian employer confirming that your English is suitable for professional architectural practice.
However, no English proficiency test is required for a provisional assessment by the AACA.
Education Requirements
Applicants for the AACA Architect Skills Assessment may be residing in Australia or overseas. To be eligible, applicants must have completed a five-year, full-time equivalent architectural qualification awarded by an institution outside of Australia. Alternatively, they must possess a qualification that allows graduates to register as architects in their home country.
In addition, the architectural qualification must be obtained through a coursework degree of at least 10 semesters (equivalent to a five-year full-time program). Research-based qualifications are not accepted.
While the AACA typically requires a five-year qualification, exceptions may be made for applicants with a four-year degree if it is allowed for registration as an architect in their home country at the time of graduation. Supporting evidence must be provided.
Furthermore, applicants may include multiple completed coursework qualifications or additional relevant qualifications beyond architecture, such as Urban Design or Project Management, to strengthen their application.
It’s important to note that semesters consisting solely of practical experience do not count as coursework time. Many overseas qualifications include mandatory practical experience periods, but these do not contribute to the minimum study duration or replace the required six months of post-graduate practical experience when a five-year coursework requirement is reduced.
Experience Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of six months of full-time equivalent relevant professional experience. Course-integrated practical experience that replaces coursework time is not considered eligible.
Work experience may be accepted if gained part-time in shorter periods, but the total duration must not exceed 18 months with the same employer. For example, part-time work during university vacations may be considered.
It is recommended that applicants gain work experience under the supervision of a registered architect.
AACA Architecture Skills Assessment process
The AACA Architect Skills Assessment involves two stages to evaluate an applicant’s overseas academic qualifications against current Australian standards.
Stage One: Paper-Based Assessment
The initial stage is a paper-based assessment that requires extensive documentation, portfolio submissions, and an interview. This process can be time-consuming and demanding and includes:
- Receipt of Application: AACA will send a receipt to the nominated contact within three business days of receiving the application.
- Timeframe: Applications are typically finalized within 12 to 16 weeks, depending on the submission of all required documentation and the availability of assessors for the Competency Assessment Interview. Incomplete applications or those requiring revisions may be placed on hold until necessary information is provided.
- Application Termination: If requested revisions are not submitted within four weeks of notification, the application may be terminated, and the application fee will be non-refundable.
AACA will review the application and supporting documents for authenticity, eligibility, and completeness. Processing will not begin until all required information is received, documents are appropriately witnessed, high-quality scans are submitted, and payment is confirmed.
If deficiencies are identified, AACA will contact the applicant or their migration agent via email to request clarification or additional information. This may include missing information or a letter from the granting institution to confirm the authenticity of the qualification.
Applicants will receive only one feedback email indicating any required revisions. These revisions must be submitted to AACA within two weeks of notification.
Stage Two: Architectural Practice Examination
If an applicant’s qualifications are deemed comparable to Australian standards, they are invited to sit for the Architectural Practice Examination (APE). While the APE is not overly challenging for qualified architects, it is a mandatory requirement for registering as an architect with a state or territory architects registration board.
A successful architect skills assessment is a mandatory requirement to apply for an Australian skilled visa to migrate to Australia as an architect.
AACA Skills Assessment checklist
| Documents | Requirements |
| English Language Proficiency | |
| IELTS or equivalent | Provide an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher or an equivalent language test. |
| Employer letter | Submit a letter from an Australian employer stating that your English is suitable for professional architectural practice. |
| Qualifications | |
| Academic transcripts | Scanned originals of all relevant transcripts. |
| Certificates | Scanned originals of all relevant certificates. |
| English translations | If applicable, provide translations for all documents not originally in English. |
| Credit point information | If transcripts lack credit points, ECTS, contact hours, or maximum marks, provide additional evidence (e.g., a university letter outlining the program structure or a relevant syllabus page). |
| Registration eligibility | Submit evidence from the granting institution or registration authority confirming that your qualification allows you to register as an architect (especially for programs shorter than 5 years). |
| Additional qualifications | Include evidence of relevant tertiary qualifications (e.g., urban design, sustainable design, construction management). |
| Resume & Portfolio | |
Submit a portfolio of 2-4 architectural projects (academic or professional), including:
| |
| Work Experience | |
| Reference letter | From an employer outlining 6 months of paid work experience and project involvement, must include following information: a) Issue date b) The company letterhead c) Applicant’s full name d) The working hours per week e) Applicant’s official position title(s) held at the organization. f) The exact period of employment in each position held g) Description of main duties for each position held h) Indicate that the applicant was paid a salary. i) Full name, position title, official contact details and signature of the person writing the reference letter. |
| Payment evidence |
|
| Others | |
| Other Required Documents |
|
| Additional Documents (if applicable) |
|
In addition, all documents must be submitted with high-quality, color scans (300 dpi) that include the document edges. Thus, applicants should combine all pages of each document into a single PDF.
If there are some non-English documents, it’s necessary that applicants provide certified English translations following the Applicant’s Guide from AACA.
AACA Skills Assessment fees
The AACA architect skills assessment fees have been updated to reflect the latest rates for 2024 as the following table:
| Service | Fees AUD |
| Verification of Australian Accredited Architecture Qualification | 395 |
| Overseas Qualifications Assessment | 3,490 |
| Overseas Qualifications Assessment – Stage 2 Only | 2 685 |
| Overseas Qualifications Assessment – Appeal/Additional Interview | 1,170 |
| Renewal of OQA Skills Assessment Letter | 435 |
| Experienced Practitioner Assessment – Overseas Practitioners | 3,665 – 4,890 |
Notes for Architect Skills Assessment
Stay Updated on AACA Changes
To ensure a smooth application process, it’s crucial to stay informed about any updates or changes to the AACA assessment requirements. Regularly check the AACA website for the latest information.
Plan Ahead and Stay Organized
The AACA skills assessment can be time-consuming. Therefore, applicants should start early and stay organized to avoid last-minute stress.
It’s also advised to create a detailed checklist of all the documents you need to gather and organize them systematically. Don’f forget to set a timeline for each task, help you stay on track.
Build a Compelling Portfolio
Your portfolio is a vital part of the AACA assessment. Carefully select projects that showcase your best work and provide detailed descriptions of your role, challenges, and solutions. High-quality visuals will enhance your portfolio and make a lasting impression.
Seek Professional Guidance
Applicants can consider seeking guidance from immigration or education consultants who specialize in skills assessments.
Contact VEM today for personalized guidance about architect skills assessment and visa applications! Our registered migration agent (MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648) will assist you with tailored advice to navigate your immigration journey successfully.
By: Peter Phong D Cao – Registered migration agent.
(MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648)
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