The Architect Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) is the statutory authority responsible for regulating Victorian architects, approved companies and partnerships. As the State’s regulator of architects, the ARBV is dedicated to achieving the highest professional standards of architectural services and building outcomes throughout Victoria.
The ARBV is an entity within Victoria’s transport and planning portfolio, which is led by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). DTP and its entities share responsibility for Victoria’s transport and planning systems. Our common aim is to create thriving places and connected communities that underpin an inclusive, successful and sustainable state. DTP is an integrated department that brings together transport, planning, land, precinct, and policy functions. It serves four ministers and two parliamentary secretaries. The responsible ministers for the ARBV for the reporting period were the Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP, Minister for Planning and the Hon. Harriet Shing MP, Minister for Housing and Building.
The ARBV and its initiatives are vital contributors to the transport and planning portfolio.
Our vision
A well designed, liveable and safe built environment for Victorians.
Our mission
We will engage, educate and regulate to ensure architectural services in Victoria are delivered according to high professional standards and contribute to improved building outcomes for the benefit of the community.
Our values
The ARBV operates in accordance with the Victorian Public Sector values of:
- responsiveness
- integrity
- impartiality
- accountability
- respect
- leadership
- human rights.
Our Role
The ARBV administers the Architects Act 1991 (the Act) and Architects Regulations 2015.
The Act establishes the framework for the regulation of architects in Victoria and has as its main purposes:
- to provide for the registration of architects
- to provide for the approval of partnerships and companies providing architectural services
- to regulate the professional conduct of architects
- to provide a procedure for handling complaints against architects
- to regulate the use of the terms “architect”, “architectural services”, “architectural design services” and “architectural design”
- to establish the Architects Registration Board of Victoria.
Our Functions
The ARBV’s statutory functions include:
- assessing and determining applications for registration from individuals and applications for approval from partnerships and companies
- suspending and cancelling registrations or approvals and revoking suspensions where required
- regulating the professional conduct of architects, approved partnerships and approved companies
- preparing guidelines on professional conduct and practice for architects, approved partnerships and approved companies
- publishing information relating to the operation of the ARBV and the Act
- together with the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), administering the Architectural Practice Examination (APE), the most common pathway to registration
- accrediting architectural programs of study within Victoria, in accordance with the established Architecture Program Accreditation Procedure in Australia and New Zealand administered by the AACA and in doing so, determining qualifications required for registration under the Act
- investigating and bringing proceedings for offences against the Act
- carrying out any other powers and functions which are given to it by the Act or which are necessary to implement the Act.
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