Our members have told us the current eligibility requirements of the NSW DB&P Act and Regulation for recent and relevant practical experience in the specific building classes of 2, 3, 9a and 9c have been excluding some very knowledgeable and experienced practitioners.
We have worked continuously and constructively with the NSW Fair Trading team in government and with the assistance of the ARB and ACA to resolve this issue and reach a position which both protects consumers but does not unduly restrict the trade of registered architects.
We can now advise approval has been given for the following additional pathways to be added to the registration process for the benefit of architects working in Class 2 or on buildings with a Class 2 part:
- a restricted class (low rise*) – pathway for registered architects (current NSW) limited to low rise who have recent experience, being at least 5 years, or equivalent part-time, within the last 10 years, including at least 2 years Australian experience of Building classes – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, (9a, 9b and 9c)
- a restricted class (medium rise**) – pathway for registered architects (current NSW) limited to medium rise, who have recent experience, being at least 5 years, or equivalent part-time, within the last 10 years, including at least 2 years Australian experience of Building classes – 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9 (9a, 9b and 9c)
- new pathway into the existing class of Design Practitioner – Architectural with different experience requirements – 10 years within the past 15 years, including at least 2 years Australian experience of Building classes – 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9 (9a, 9b and 9c) with minimum requirement of 2 years in class 2, 3, 9a and 9c experience
Important Note: where 5, 6, 8 and 9b experience is considered, this must be in new builds or significant renovations
We understand these changes will need to be incorporated into the online government licensing system which is not anticipated to be available until 1 July 2022 however, an interim workaround solution is being investigated which will strive to allow implementation from 1 March 2022.
*Low rise building means a class 2 building or a building containing a class 2 part that has a maximum gross floor area of no more than 2,000m2, but does not include a building that is Type A or Type B construction.
**Medium rise building means a class 2 building or a building containing a class 2 part, limited to:
- a maximum of 3 storeys; or
- a maximum of 4 storeys (where the ground level or first storey is classified as a class 7a building (carpark)).
Medium rise building does not include Type A construction (for class 4, 5, 6, 7b and 8).
For further information on Type A and Type B construction refer to Volume 1 Specification C1.1 of the Building Code of Australia.
