Strengthening compliance culture in the architecture sector

• Abbreviations and Definitions

  A list of abbreviations used in the research and definitions of key terms.

• Executive summary

  A strong compliance culture is essential not only for upholding professional standards, but also for reinforcing the integrity and reputation of the profession.

• About the Report

  A joint working group comprising representatives from the ARBV were involved in the preparation of this report.

• Preface

  Chairperson Dr Giorgio Marfella provides the preface for this report.

• Foreword

  Bronwyn Weir, who was co-appointed by Australian governments to conduct a review of building compliance frameworks across Australia, provides the foreword for this report.

• Background and overview

  This chapter provides the background and an overview of the structure of this report.

• What is compliance culture and why is it important?

  This chapter defines compliance culture and explains the importance and benefits of a strong compliance culture.

• Architects' status as professionals

  This chapter outlines architects’ legal obligations and ethical responsibilities, with a particular focus on how they intersect with architects’ professional status. The chapter explains that this status implies a commitment to compliance.

• Architects' overarching duties

  This chapter identifies the overarching duties that reflect the core values and responsibilities of members of the architecture profession.

• Evaluation of Compliance culture in Victoria

  This chapter outlines a framework to evaluate compliance culture in the architecture sector.

• Strategies for architects to strengthen compliance culture

  This chapter provides guidance about how sole practitioners and small and large architectural firms can establish a strong compliance culture.

• Regulatory toolkit to enhance compliance culture

  This chapter discusses regulatory tools that can be used to enhance compliance culture.

• Conclusion

  Concluding remarks on the compliance culture research

• Glossary

  A glossary of terms used in this research

• Appendix A: Focus group participants

  A list of the persons who participated in the focus group for this research

• Appendix B: Focus group and survey questions

  Details on the questions asked of the focus group and the survey questions circulated to Victorian architects

• References

  Details on the refences used for this research

Updated 30 July 2025