AACA, NZRAB and ARB Mutual Recognition Agreement Information

We have agreed initially that only accredited UK qualifications and accredited qualifications issued in Australia and New Zealand will be in scope. Individuals who have joined the UK register through the EU route to registration are outside the scope of the agreement. Individuals who have joined the UK Register having undertaken ARB’s Prescribed Examination are not generally eligible to use the agreement, unless in one of the groups described below.

UK to Australia applicants will need to have secured ARB prescribed qualifications at Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 level and be registered and in good standing with ARB, which will be confirmed by ARB on a certificate of eligibility. UK architects will then need to meet additional requirements set by the AACA, following which AACA will then issue an AACA Statement pursuant to the MRA to take to state and territory registration boards in Australia to facilitate registration.

An architect is also an eligible UK to Australia architect if they have:

• secured accredited Australian or New Zealand qualifications issued by Schools of Architecture in Australia or New Zealand, and have secured equivalence at UK Part 1 and Part 2 level having undertaken assessment by ARB (such as the Prescribed Examination)
• and secured an ARB-prescribed qualification issued by a school of architecture in the United Kingdom at Part 3 level
• and completed successfully any additional requirements of the AACA, and obtained an AACA Statement
• or
• secured UK prescribed qualifications at Part 1 and Part 2
• and completed successfully any additional requirements of the AACA, and obtained an AACA Statement.

UK to New Zealand applicants will need to have secured ARB prescribed qualifications at Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 level and be registered and in good standing with ARB, which will be confirmed by ARB on a certificate of eligibility. UK architects will then need to apply to NZRAB for registration and meet any additional requirements set by them.

An architect is also an eligible UK to New Zealand architect if they have:

• secured accredited Australian or New Zealand qualifications issued by Schools of Architecture in Australia or New Zealand, and have secured equivalence at UK Part 1 and Part 2 level, having undertaken assessment by ARB (such as the Prescribed Examination)
• and secured an ARB-prescribed qualification issued by a school of architecture in the United Kingdom at Part 3 level
• and completed successfully any additional requirements of NZRAB.
• or
• secured UK prescribed qualifications at Part 1 and Part 2
• and completed successfully any additional requirements of NZRAB.

To be eligible to use this route, applicants must be:

• An Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia having applied for and been granted a permanent visa that allows them to remain in Australia indefinitely, or
• A New Zealand Citizen or hold a permanent New Zealand Resident’s Visa, or
• A UK Citizen or permanently resident in the UK with indefinite leave to remain.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia having applied for and been granted a permanent visa that allows them to remain in Australia indefinitely, or, a New Zealand Citizen or hold a permanent New Zealand Resident’s Visa, or a UK Citizen or permanently resident in the UK with indefinite leave to remain.

Australia to UK applicants will require an AACA certificate confirming eligibility, including successful completion of an accredited qualification in architecture from a school of architecture in Australia or New Zealand, together with the Australian Architectural Practice Exam or Experienced Practitioner Assessment, and also current registration by one or more Australian State and Territory Registration Boards.

Australia to UK architects will also need to pass ARB’s UK Adaptation Assessment before being admitted to the UK Register.

An architect is also an eligible Australia to UK architect if they have:

• secured ARB-prescribed qualifications issued by schools of architecture in the United Kingdom at Part 1 and Part 2 level,
• and secured an Australian Architectural Practice Exam or Experienced Practitioner Assessment,
• and are currently registered by one or more Australian State and Registration Territory Boards, and have passed ARB’s UK Adaptation Assessment.

New Zealand to UK applicants will require an NZRAB certificate confirming eligibility, including successful completion of an accredited qualification in architecture from a school of architecture in Australia or New Zealand, together with current NZRAB registration.

New Zealand to UK architects will also need to pass ARB’s UK Adaptation Assessment before being admitted to the UK Register.

An architect is also an eligible New Zealand to UK architect if they have:

• secured ARB-prescribed qualifications issued by schools of architecture in the United Kingdom at Part 1 and Part 2 level
• and are currently registered by the NZRAB, and have passed ARB’s UK Adaptation Assessment.

To be eligible to use this route, applicants must be:

• An Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia having applied for and been granted a permanent visa that allows them to remain in Australia indefinitely, or
• A New Zealand Citizen or hold a permanent New Zealand Resident’s Visa, or
• A UK Citizen or permanently resident in the UK with indefinite leave to remain.

Recognition of Australia or New Zealand Masters Level qualifications in the UK

The MRA provides for the ‘freestanding’ recognition of AACA-accredited masters-level qualifications issued in Australia and New Zealand. AACA and NZRAB will be able to issue a certificate or statement to confirm that accredited qualifications are within scope of the agreement, which will enable ARB to confirm that we have accepted the qualifications. Applicants will then be able to complete a UK Part 3 qualification to qualify for entry to the UK Register.

There is no provision for the ‘freestanding’ recognition of only undergraduate degrees qualifications issued in Australia or New Zealand under the MRA. If such international graduates elect to study Part 2 and Part 3 qualifications in the UK, Part 1 requirements will need to be satisfied by making an application through the Prescribed Examination route before an application for registration is possible.

Contact AACA or NZRAB for information about the costs of obtaining a certificate or statement confirming that the Masters level qualifications are in scope of the agreement.

Recognition of UK Masters Level qualifications in Australia and New Zealand

The MRA provides for the ‘freestanding’ recognition of ARB-accredited UK Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications. ARB will be able to issue a certificate or statement to confirm that accredited qualifications are within scope of the agreement, which will enable AACA or NZRAB to confirm that they have accepted the qualifications. Applicants will then be able to complete their training and register in Australia or New Zealand. There is no provision for the ‘freestanding’ recognition of ARB-accredited UK Part 1 qualifications.

The cost of obtaining an ARB certificate or statement confirming that the accredited qualifications are within scope of the agreement is £80.00.

To be eligible to use this route, applicants must be:

• An Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia having applied for and been granted a permanent visa that allows them to remain in Australia indefinitely, or
• A New Zealand Citizen or hold a permanent New Zealand Resident’s Visa, or
• A UK Citizen or permanently resident in the UK with indefinite leave to remain.

The letters confirming the acceptance of masters level qualifications will not include an expiry date, and will enable applicants to complete the final part of the qualification process in Australia, New Zealand or the UK as necessary.