A set of landmark agreements made by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia is ensuring that Australian and New Zealand architects will find it easier to have their professional registration recognised internationally.

The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) has today reported it has reached binding agreements with the Board of Architects Singapore and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board to renew its tripartite Mutual Recognition Agreement from 21 November.

It further reports that the United States, Australia and New Zealand Mutual Recognition Agreement is under review and is expected to be updated mid-2024 to remove the requirement of 6000 working hours after registration, and expand the scheme to an additional 14 US states.

What does this mean for practicing architects?

AACA’s CEO, Kathlyn Loseby, says the refreshed agreement will enable architects to pursue more opportunities overseas. “We hope these agreements will prompt an increase in collaboration between Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand architects,” Loseby says. “These international agreements open the doors for registered architects to practise internationally, and encourage greater collaboration.”

The Board of Architects Singapore registrar, Tracey Hwang, confirms the agreement adds to the strong ties between Australia and Singapore, which has a strong history of international partnership. “We hope this agreement will allow architects to forge ahead with new opportunities to grow professionally,” Hwang says. “Architecture has always been enriched by international collaborations. We look forward to many more between our three countries.”

Notable cross-border collaborations include WOHA and Architectus on a ‘living building’ at 443 Queen Street in Brisbane, Queensland, and the expansion of Woods Bagot into Singapore with Forum Architects a decade ago.

This latest renewal follows recent changes in the Mutual Recognition Agreement between the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Since 3 August, there have been no passport limitations and a new pathway has been established for graduate recognition.

This applies to undergraduates (Bachelor degree) in Australia and New Zealand and post-graduates (Master degree) in the UK.

AACA
aaca.org.au

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