ARCHITECTS ACT 1991

Table of Provisions

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

• 1 Purposes  
• 2 Commencement  
• 3 Definitions  

PART 2--PROHIBITED CONDUCT

• 4 Representing a natural person to be an architect  
• 5 Representing an unincorporated body to be an architect  
• 6 Representing a body corporate to be an architect  
• 7 When is a person or body represented as an architect?  
• 8 Restriction on use of particular expressions  
• 8A Exceptions  
• 8B Offence to work as architect without required insurance  
• 8C Offence to represent to be insured when uninsured  
• 8D Restriction on provision of architectural services by companies and partnerships  

PART 3--REGISTRATION AND APPROVAL

Division 1--Registration of architects

• 9 Application for registration  
• 9A Proof of required insurance for persons intending to rely on automatic deemed registration  
• 10 Qualifications for registration as an architect  
• 10A Probity matters  
• 11 Registration  
• 11A Board must issue certificate of registration  

Division 2--Approval of partnerships and companies

• 12 Application for approval  
• 13 Approval of a partnership  
• 13A Board must issue certificate of approval  
• 14 Approval of a company  
• 14A Board must issue certificate of approval  

Division 3--Annual fees

• 15 Annual fees  
• 15A Proof of required insurance  
• 15B Continuing professional development requirements  

Division 4--The Register

• 16 The Register  
• 16A Time for inclusion of information in the Register of Architects  
• 16B Architect must give information to the Board for the Register of Architects  
• 16C Publication of information on Register of Architects  
• 17 Removal of details of architects from the Register of Architects  

Division 5--Insurance

• 17A Order requiring insurance  

PART 3A--INFORMATION GATHERING POWERS

• 17B Information gathering powers  
• 17C Refusal or failure to comply with requirement  
• 17D Protection against self-incrimination  

PART 4--DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

Division 1--Disciplinary powers

• 18 Disciplinary powers of the Board  
• 18A Power to refer complaint to mediation  
• 18B Power to appoint person to assist Board  
• 18D Notice to complainant of Board's determination  

Division 1A--Mediation

• 18E Appointment of mediator  
• 18F Notice of mediation  
• 18G Procedure for mediation  
• 18H Report to Board  
• 18I Confidentiality  
• 18J Mediation does not prevent determination that inquiry should be held  

Division 2--Tribunal

• 19 Tribunal to conduct inquiry for the Board  
• 20 Constitution of Tribunal  
• 21 Membership of Tribunal  
• 21A Appointment of panel  
• 22 Remuneration  
• 24 Procedure  

Division 3--Procedure on inquiry

• 25 Appearance of parties  
• 26 Tribunal may direct public inquiry  
• 27 Notice  
• 28 Assisting counsel  
• 29 Interested members  
• 30 Procedure  
• 31 Powers  

Division 4--Determinations of Tribunal

• 32 Grounds for disciplinary action against a registered architect  
• 33 Determination and reasons  
• 34 Publication of determination  
• 35 Enforcement of determination  

Division 5--Board's powers

• 36 Cancellation on withdrawal of qualification  
• 36A Immediate suspension of registration  
• 37 Cancellation or suspension of approval  
• 38 Return of document  
• 39 Effect of suspension or variation  
• 40 Revocation of suspension  
• 41 Publication of cancellations and suspensions  

PART 5--REVIEW BY VICTORIAN CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL

• 42 Review by VCAT—architects  
• 43 Review by VCAT—approved partnerships and approved companies  
• 44 Time limits for applying for review  

PART 6--ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION BOARD OF VICTORIA

• 45 Establishment of Board  
• 46 Powers and duties of Board  
• 47 Membership  
• 49 Terms of appointment  
• 50 Remuneration  
• 51 Vacancies  
• 52 Chairperson  
• 53 Deputy Chairperson  
• 54 Procedure of Board  
• 55 Effect of vacancy or defect  
• 56 Immunity  
• 57 Appointment of Registrar and other officers  
• 57A Delegation power of the Board  
• 57B Strategic plan  

PART 7--FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

• 58 Payment of fees and penalties to Board  
• 59 Application of fees and penalties  

PART 8--ENFORCEMENT

• 63 Charge for offence  
• 64 No proof required  
• 65 Evidence of Register  
• 66 Statement of Registrar  
• 67 False statements  
• 68 Offences by bodies corporate  

PART 9--REGULATIONS

• 69 Regulations  

PART 10--REPEALS, SAVINGS, TRANSITIONAL

Division 1--Provisions relating to the repeal of the Architects Act 1958

• 70 Repeal of Architects Act 1958  
• 71 Board succeeds old Board  
• 72 Registrar  
• 73 Existing registrations  
• 74 Applications  
• 75 Register  
• 76 Regulations  

Division 2--Architects (Amendment) Act 2004

• 77 Transitional—Effect of change of membership  
• 78 Transitional—Existing approvals  

Division 3--Building and Environment Protection Legislation Amendment Act 2020

• 79 Transitional and savings provisions—Building and Environment Protection Legislation Amendment Act 2020  

Division 4--Building Legislation Amendment Act 2023

• 80 Transitional and savings provisions—Building Legislation Amendment Act 2023  
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