What is Architects Accreditation Council of Australia?
The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) is the peak national body responsible for assessing overseas-trained architects seeking skilled migration to Australia. AACA was established to ensure consistency in architectural professional standards across all Australian states and territories.
AACA operates under delegated authority from state and territory registration boards, which are responsible for the actual registration of architects. The Council's primary role is to conduct skills assessments of overseas-qualified architects to determine whether they meet Australian professional standards and are competent to practise architecture in Australia.
For skilled migration purposes, AACA assessments are required for overseas-trained architects seeking to obtain professional recognition and work in Australia. The assessment confirms that your qualifications, experience, and professional competency are equivalent to Australian standards, which is a prerequisite for most skilled visa applications in the architect profession.
AACA assesses architects against the Architect competency standards established by the Architects Accreditation Council. The assessment typically includes evaluation of your formal qualifications, professional experience, and, in most cases, successful completion of the Architectural Practice Examination (APE).
Which visas require a AACA skills assessment?
A positive AACA skills assessment is required for overseas-trained architects seeking to apply for skilled migration visas in Australia. The assessment is a mandatory component of visa applications for most architect visa pathways.
For skilled independent visas (189, 190, 491), your AACA assessment demonstrates that your architect qualifications and experience meet Australian standards, which is essential for processing your skilled migration application. For employer-sponsored visas (482, 186, 494), the assessment confirms your professional competency aligns with Australian requirements, supporting your employer's visa sponsorship application.
How AACA assessment works
The AACA assessment process involves evaluating your qualifications, experience, and professional competency against Australian architect standards. Most applicants are required to sit the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) as part of the assessment.
- Verify your eligibility and confirm the documents required for your assessment type
- Prepare and gather certified copies of all required documents, including qualifications and employment references
- Submit your complete application to AACA along with the application fee and all supporting documentation
- Sit the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) — a comprehensive written examination of Australian architectural practice, law, ethics, and building codes (unless exempt)
- AACA reviews your examination results, submitted documentation, and academic transcripts in detail
- AACA assessment panel provides your outcome and issues a skills assessment certificate (if successful)
- Use your AACA assessment certificate to support your skilled migration visa application to DHA
Assessment pathways
AACA offers different assessment pathways depending on your qualifications, experience, and current architectural registration status. The pathway you follow will depend on your individual circumstances and whether you are eligible for exemptions from the Architectural Practice Examination.
The standard pathway includes submission of your qualifications, experience documentation, and completion of the Architectural Practice Examination (APE). This is the most common pathway for most overseas-trained architects. You must demonstrate your qualifications are equivalent to Australian standards and pass the APE examination.
Some applicants with extensive professional experience or recognised qualifications from certain countries may apply for an exemption from the Architectural Practice Examination. If eligible, you may be assessed based solely on your qualifications and experience verification. Exemption requests are reviewed during the assessment process.
Applicants with degrees from recognised architectural accreditation bodies in certain countries may qualify for a streamlined assessment process. AACA recognises accreditation from bodies such as RIBA, AIA, and other mutual recognition partners. Your eligibility depends on your specific qualification and country of origin.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Certified copy of your architecture degree, diploma, or professional qualification (notarised or certified by a licensed authority in your country)
- Official academic transcripts from all tertiary institutions attended, translated to English if necessary and certified
- Evidence of professional architecture experience: detailed employment history showing dates, employer names, positions held, and key architectural responsibilities
- Employment reference letters from previous employers or colleagues confirming your architectural experience, competency, and supervisory roles — on company letterhead
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or detailed resume listing your education, qualifications, and professional experience chronologically
- Statutory Declaration confirming the accuracy of information in your application and explaining any employment gaps
- Evidence of current or previous professional registration as an architect in your country of origin or previous employment jurisdictions
- Copy of your passport or travel document for identity verification
- Evidence of professional indemnity insurance held or current, confirming professional practice history
- Any additional qualifications, postgraduate degrees, certificates, or professional achievements relevant to architecture
- Details of any criminal convictions, disciplinary actions, complaints, or investigations relating to professional conduct
All documents not issued in English must be officially translated by a certified translator, including both the English translation and original language versions. Certified copies must be notarised or certified by a licensed authority such as a lawyer, accountant, or notary public — photocopies without certification are not accepted.
AACA assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Standard Skills Assessment (with APE) | AUD 750 |
| Assessment with APE Exemption Application | AUD 850 |
| Reassessment or Review | AUD 550 |
| APE Examination Fee | AUD 650 |
| Document Authentication (per document) | AUD 50–75 |
Assessment outcomes
AACA issues one of three outcomes:
A positive AACA skills assessment confirms that your qualifications and experience meet Australian architectural standards and that you are competent to practise as an architect in Australia. The assessment certificate is valid indefinitely for skilled migration purposes. You can immediately use this assessment to support your skilled migration visa application to the Department of Home Affairs.
If your assessment is unsuccessful, AACA will provide detailed feedback on the specific areas where you did not meet Australian standards. You may request a formal review of your assessment or reapply after addressing identified deficiencies, such as gaining additional professional experience or undertaking further architectural study. A reassessment fee will apply.
AACA provides a formal review process if you disagree with your assessment outcome. You may request a review within a specified timeframe, and a different assessor will re-evaluate your application. Some applicants choose to reapply after gaining additional experience or undertaking further study to address assessment gaps.
Occupations assessed by AACA
AACA is the nominated assessing authority for the following ANZSCO occupations. Click any occupation to see full visa pathway details.
| ANZSCO | Occupation | List |
|---|---|---|
| 231011 | Architect | MLTSSL |
| 231012 | Landscape Architect | STSOL |