Guide to the Victorian Architects Code of Professional Conduct

• About this Guide (Version 1, August 2026)

  This Guide has been prepared by the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV). It provides guidance about compliance with the Architects Code of Professional Conduct 2026 (Code), which is made under the Architects Act 1991 (Act) and is a schedule to the Architects Regulations 2026 (Regulations).

• Introduction

  The Architects Code of Professional Conduct establishes the professional and ethical standards expected of architects. Complying with the Code helps protect clients, building users and the broader community by promoting the competent, ethical and professional provision of architectural services.

• Abbreviations

  Abbreviations that relate to the Victorian Architects Code of Professional Conduct.

• A. Clause-by-clause guidance

  The Victorian Architects Code of Professional Conduct (the Code) applies to all architects registered by the Board.

• PART 1 — Preliminary

  Clause 1 — Objects of the Code

• PART 2 — THE CODE

  Part 2 contains the Code’s substantive obligations. It is divided into three Divisions. Part 2 contains clauses 2-17.

• Clause 2 — Act in accordance with the law

  This clause highlights the core obligations of architects in their capacity as professionals, a number of which are also set out in the Act.

• Clause 3 — Act in the public interest

  Through their work, architects play an important role in shaping the built environment.

• Clause 4 — Act with honesty, integrity and openness

  Clause 4 establishes honesty, integrity and transparency as foundational obligations of professional practice, because they are the basis upon which a trusting relationship can be established between architects and their clients, industry participants and other persons or bodies that architects interact with.

• Clause 5 — Perform competently and with the required level of care, expertise and experience

  This clause prevents the harm that could be caused if architects take on work beyond their competence, fail to maintain their skills, or place clients' projects under the supervision of individuals who lack the required knowledge.

• Clause 6 — Use clear and unambiguous client agreements

  This clause addresses a significant source of disputes in architectural practice, including misunderstandings about the scope of services, fees, roles and responsibilities, intellectual property ownership and what happens when things go wrong.

• Clause 7 — Be open and transparent about fees and costs

  This clause protects clients from receiving unexpectedly large bills at the end of a project and from being charged rates or amounts that were not previously agreed.

• Clause 8 — Provide services diligently and promptly

  This clause seeks to ensure that architects deliver services in accordance with agreed timelines or, where no timeline is agreed, within a reasonable period of time.

• Clause 9 — Communicate with clients effectively and promptly

  This clause seeks to ensure clients are kept up-to-date about their project's progress, the decisions they need to make, or problems that have arisen during the course of a project.

• Clause 10 — Administer building contracts impartially and diligently

  When administering a building contract, an architect is obliged under the Code to act impartially between the client and the builder.

• Clause 11 — Maintain confidentiality

  This clause reinforces an architect’s obligation to keep their client’s information confidential unless disclosure is authorised because respecting clients’ confidentiality is the foundation of a trusting relation between client and architect.

• Clause 12 — Manage conflicts of interest

  This clause recognises that a client's trust and confidence in an architect could be compromised if the architect's judgment is or could be influenced by interests that compete with the client's interests.

• Clause 13 — Disclose referrals, recommendations and endorsements

  The obligation in the Code to disclose the nature and value of a benefit that the architect could obtain enables clients to make fully informed decisions about whether to accept architects’ referrals, recommendations or endorsements in circumstances where they may obtain a benefit.

• Clause 14 — Maintain adequate systems and resources

  Adequate systems and staffing mean that projects are more likely to be delivered in a way that meets clients’ expectations.

• Clause 15 — Documents and maintenance of records

  Good records protect both architects and clients. In the event of a complaint or dispute, the architect's records are the primary evidence of what was agreed, what was done and who was responsible.

• Clause 16 — Provide a complaint handling process

  A complaint handling process is a fundamental aspect of professional conduct, providing an important mechanism for maintaining trust, accountability and service improvement.

• Clause 17 — Cooperation with the Board

  The ARBV's functions under the Act, including its disciplinary functions, can only be performed effectively and efficiently if architects cooperate with requests for information from the ARBV.

• B. Guidance by topic

  This Guide is intended to assist architects and architectural practices to understand the requirements of the Code.

• Client agreements

  Under the Code, client agreements must be in place when architectural services are provided.

• Dealing with intellectual property in client agreements

  Architectural services commonly involve the creation of intellectual property, including design concepts, drawings, plans, specifications, and models.

• Professional fees and costs

  Issues associated with architects’ professional fees and costs are common sources of complaints.

• Compliance with all applicable laws

  The obligation to comply with all applicable Victorian and Commonwealth laws encompasses a broad range of contexts and conduct of an architect.

• Supervision of work

  The Code’s supervision obligations are designed to ensure that architectural services are competently delivered, properly overseen and that approved companies and partnerships are accountable for all architectural work.

• Duties to the public

  Through their work, architects play an important role in shaping the built environment.

• Duties to the profession

  Architects help maintain that trust and confidence through competent, honest and professional conduct that supports the standards and integrity of the profession.

Updated 8 September 2026