Architects get law into place

THE laws governing the profession of architecture have undergone their greatest change in the past 80 years with the passing of the Architects Act 2004.

The new act replaces the laws that were put into place in 1921.

The new laws will not prevent unregistered people designing or superintending the construction of buildings but it will restrict the use of the title “architect” and its derivatives to registered professionals.

They also allow for the adoption of a national Code of Conduct to provide the basis for the professional conduct of architects and a foundation for disciplinary proceedings under the act.

Royal Australian Institute of Architects national president Warren Kerr said the main change architects faced was that the new act called for compulsory professional indemnity insurance.

He admitted the reduction of insurers over the past few years meant that premiums for such insurance had increased considerably, which led the institute to gain Suncorp as an underwriter for its own insurance offering.

“We insure about 70 per cent to 80 per cent of architects,” he said.

All architects will also be required to undertake continuous professional development to maintain their registration.