FROM INSIGHT TO IMPACT: THE ARBV’S STRATEGIC APPROACH TO REGULATION

The Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) is pleased to announce the publication of its Strategic Plan 2026-2030 (Strategic Plan), which reflects its proactive, targeted and strategic approach to regulating the architecture profession in Victoria.

By combining intelligence-led insights, risk-based prioritisation and outcome-focused regulatory interventions the ARBV’s approach to regulation delivers meaningful impact. The approach encourages voluntary compliance, strengthens compliance culture and prevents consumer harm. It also produces a cascade of benefits in the broader building and construction sector by reducing compliance risks, enhancing market confidence and boosting long-term productivity.

The Strategic Plan focuses on achieving the following core objectives:

• Trusted regulator: Victorians trust the ARBV to hold architects to high professional standards for the protection of consumers, building confidence in the architecture profession and the ARBV.
• Consumer and Community Engagement: Victorians are aware of the professional obligations of architects and the ARBV’s role in upholding standards for the benefit and protection of consumers.
• Professional Knowledge and Skills: Future architects attain the knowledge and skills to become registered and practising architects maintain their knowledge and skills at competency standards that meet regulatory requirements.
• Professional Compliance Culture: Victorian architects practise competently and exhibit a professional mindset of integrity and accountability.

The Strategic Plan leverages the achievements of earlier initiatives to further advance these objectives.

Features of ARBV’S strategic approach

The ARBV’s strategic approach is founded on a deep understanding of the profession, a modern regulatory approach, constructive stakeholder engagement and an agile and responsive organisational mindset. These elements ensure that regulation of the architecture profession not only protects consumers from harm, but is also credible, adaptive and forward-looking.

Strong understanding of the profession

• The ARBV has built significant expertise in architectural practice, professional standards, registration and professional conduct.
• Regulatory decisions are informed by an understanding of the unique risks associated with the provision of architectural services.

Modern regulatory approach

• The ARBV has a well-developed risk-based approach to regulation, which has been adapted over time to respond to emerging risks.
• The ARBV has invested heavily in proactive regulatory activity, including thought leadership, education and guidance to support and drive voluntary compliance.

Constructive stakeholder engagement

• The ARBV works collaboratively with co-regulators, including the Building and Plumbing Commission, to address systemic, cross-sectoral issues.
• The ARBV has developed constructive relationships with industry bodies, education providers, consumer groups and government.

Agile and responsive organisation

• The ARBV applies an agile and responsive approach, particularly in the context of recent amendments to the Architects Act 1991, Architects Regulations 2026 and the Architects Code of Professional Conduct, including:

  - tailored webinars

  - meetings with industry bodies

  - communications to respond to industry questions

  - published guidance material.

Strategic Plan 2022-2026

The ARBV has continuously improved and uplifted regulatory activities and embedded them as the ARBV’s business-as-usual activities. The attached high-level summary highlights the ARBV’s key successes and progress towards its strategic objectives over the past four years, including:

• Amendments to the Architects Act 1991, Architects Regulations and the Code of Professional Conduct.
• Major research activities undertaken.
• Introduction of a formal CPD webinar program that delivers 10 1 hour formal CPD webinars each year.

To read the full version of the ARBV’s Strategic Plan visit arbv.vic.gov.au/arbv-strategic-plan-2026-2030. A summary of the Strategic Plan 2026-2030 is also available on the website.