Division 1 sets out general practice standards that apply to all architects and architectural work. These standards are also relevant for approved companies and partnerships.
(1) An architect must act honestly and with integrity at all times.
(2) An architect must conduct themselves with honesty and integrity in their professional dealings with other architects and professionals involved in the building industry.
(3) An architect must take all reasonable steps to ensure that—
(a) the architect's qualifications, experience, awards, honours and authorship are stated accurately in all documents; and
(b) the architect's name, registration number and contact details are identified clearly and accurately on stationery and signboards, and in public notices and publications, used or placed by the architect in connection with the architect's professional practice.
(4) An architect must not—
(a) sign as checked, approved or supervised any drawings or other documents which the architect has not checked, approved or supervised; or
(b) permit the architect's name to be used in relation to any work, document or publication to falsely represent the architect's authorship of, responsibility for or agreement with the content or form of the work, document or publication.
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.
The clause recognises that the well-functioning of the client-architect relationship, as well as the broader building industry, depends on architects being truthful about who they are, what they have done, and what they have checked and approved in the context of a building project. Compliance with these obligations means that clients, industry participants and regulators can rely upon representations architects make and the documents they sign as being truthful and accurate.
Ensure that current ARBV registration number and contact details are displayed legibly and accurately on:
- materials provided to the client; and
- information that may be accessible to the public
such as, but not limited to, websites, letterhead, invoices, signboards and publications.
- Never claim qualifications, awards, honours or project authorship that are not yours.
- In the case of a collaborative project, individual contributions could be specifically identified where there could be ambiguity about who undertook relevant parts of the project.
- For work done for a previous employer, this detail could be specifically mentioned to avoid the impression that the work was done for the current employer.
- Only sign drawings, specifications, reports or other documents as 'checked', 'approved' or 'supervised' if you have personally done so. Implement a review and sign-off protocol in your practice so this obligation is systematically met.
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