BECOME AN
A+ PRACTICE TODAY

The general renewal offer is available only to individual paying members and Rate 1 (1-2 staff)  A+ practices. It’s not available to Rate 2 – Rate 5 A+ practices, their staff or to complimentary members.

The early bird renewal offer is available only to individual paying members and Rate 1 (1-2 staff) A+ practices who renew by 31 December 2024. It’s not available to Rate 2 – Rate 5 A+ practices, their staff or to complimentary members.

1. COMPLETE APPLICATION FORM – Confirm your eligibility, providing, the details of your practice and confirming the staff eligible.
2. SUBMIT APPLICATION FORM – Complete your application form. Your application will be reviewed within 5-7 business days.
3. PRATICE INVOICE ISSUED – Receive and pay your initial practice membership invoice.
4. MEMBERSHIP ACTIVATED – Your A+ membership will be activated. Invite your staff to activate their memberships.

Practice membership is different in that it provides all eligible staff of your practice with Institute membership while also providing them with access to additional services such as Australian Standards and the National Construction Code online, HR Hub helpdesk and some higher member discounts. A+ practices are also eligible to activate a profile on the Institute’s Find An Architect web directory.

To be eligible for A+ membership a practice must first meet all requirements of the relevant Architects Registration Board for architectural practices in Australia (if any). Discreet business units or cost centres in multi-disciplinary organisations or government bodies may also be eligible provided that the primary activity of the business unit is the practice of architecture and, the unit is also under the direction of a registered architect. Sole practitioners, provided they are registered architects, are eligible for A+ membership. Only architects registered to practice in Australia can lead an application for A+ membership

Eligible staff includes all registered architects, graduates of architecture and allied professionals with a degree qualification or higher in a built environment discipline. This includes interior designers, planners, urban designers, landscape architects and the like. Only permanent staff working 3 or more days per week must be invited to enrol. Part time staff working 2 or less days per week can be enrolled under the part time fee concession. Students already enrolled as Institute SONA members may be included to access benefits if they are working in the practice however no additional fees are charged to the practice for their inclusion.  Staff not eligible for membership can be enrolled under the non-member ‘Access’ category to gain access to A+ benefits.

Both the benefits and obligations of A+ membership are aimed at ensuring that A+ practices are best equipped to be considered and promoted as premium quality practices. The main obligations of A+ practices are:

• Having all eligible staff invited to enrol as members under the A+ practice
• Having all enrolled registered architects and senior graduates (Associate members) commit to life-long learning through mandatory CPD (10 formal + 10 informal points per annum)
• Maintain appropriate levels of Professional Indemnity InsuranceToggle Content

Generally, no. However, where an overseas practice opens an office in Australia and is under the direction of an architect registered to practice in Australia, they are then eligible for A+ membership. Only the staff residing in Australia are eligible to be enrolled in the membership and the A+ logo can only be used to market the Australian office.

Practices with multiple offices across Australia are treated as one national organisation.  The national organisation is categorised according to the total enrolled staff paying only one practice fee plus the applicable category fees per staff member. One invoice is issued for each payment period detailing the staff fees for each location.

The practice can update its member profile online at any time, via the A+ practice management portal. In addition, all A+ practices will be contacted prior to the end of each quarter and asked to verify all changes in the number, categories or status of any eligible staff members in the practice.

Yes, but only if the new practice is also an A+ practice. If they are not an A+ practice then, no, however you are most welcome to retain your membership as an individual member noting that some exclusive A+ benefits such as access to Australian Standards and the HR Hub Helpdesk are not available under individual membership.

Fees for A+ membership comprise a practice fee based on the total number of staff plus the addition of the individual A+ member fees that apply to each staff member and their category of membership (refer to the A+ subscription rates table). The fees charged per individual staff member vary with the size of the practice. The practice is responsible for payment of all membership fees associated with A+.

The practice is responsible for the A+ membership fees. However, the practice can choose to make any arrangement with staff that they choose regarding payment of individual fees. Practices may also choose to include A+ membership as part of the salary package for staff.

Registered architects (Member category) and experienced graduates of architecture (Associate category members) are required to undertake a minimum of 20 hours of CPD annually comprising 10 formal and 10 informal points across at least two of the four main competency areas (design, documentation, project management, practice management).

To cancel your membership prior to the next renewal, please complete the resignation form before 24 November or email membership@architecture.com.au to avoid receiving a renewal notice.  Members who don’t cancel by 31 December in the current membership year will be deemed to be renewing members for the new membership year.