The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) is an apex assessment body in Australia that assesses applicants seeking to register as architects with a state or territory Architects Registration Board. The AACA – Overseas Qualification Assessment (OQA) process determines whether a candidate’s overseas academic qualification is comparable to a current Australian-accredited qualification in architecture. If an applicant’s qualification is similar, he/she will be eligible to apply for the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) if they meet the eligibility criteria (including practical experience). Applicants must complete their APE successfully before applying for registration as an Architect with the Architects Registration Board.
Eligibility To Apply For AACA Skills Assessment –
To apply for the AACA skills assessment for the occupation of Architect (ANZSCO 232111) in 2025, your eligibility depends on whether your degree was obtained in Australia or overseas.
As of recent updates, the AACA has streamlined its process. For most overseas applicants, the Overseas Qualifications Assessment (OQA) is now a comprehensive program that combines the old “Stage 1” and “Stage 2” into a single assessment for migration.
Applicants who want to apply for registration as an architect with the Architects Registration Board need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Applicants must possess a 5-year full-time equivalent Architectural qualification awarded by an institution outside Australia or have been awarded a qualification that grants permission to a graduate to register as an architect in the home country of the awarding institution.
- Applicants must have at least 6 months of relevant professional experience.
- Applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
Stage 2 Overseas Qualification Assessment –
The AACA Stage 2 Overseas Qualification Assessment (often referred to simply as the “Competency Assessment”) is the final and most critical step for architects who have already passed the Stage 1 eligibility check. It includes the submission of 2 to 4 architectural projects, a summary statement in accordance with the 2021 National Standards of Competency for Architects in Australia (NSCA), and a Competency Assessment Interview. Applicants can only apply if they have previously completed the OQA stage 1 assessment.
As of 2025, if you are a new applicant, you will likely be applying under the “Combined Stage 1 & 2” process. However, if you are specifically completing Stage 2, it is designed to verify that your overseas education and work experience are truly equivalent to an Australian Master of Architecture.
The AACA Competency Assessment –
The AACA (Architects Accreditation Council of Australia) Competency Assessment is the formal evaluation used to determine if an architect—typically one trained overseas or with non-traditional experience—meets the National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA).
Unlike the ACS RPL (which is for IT), the AACA process is specifically designed for the Architect (ANZSCO 232111) occupation.
Applicants can demonstrate how their qualification helped them understand the competencies required to meet the relevant Performance Criteria (at a graduate level) of the 2021 NSCA through the submission of a Portfolio, NSCA Summary Statements, and Project Proformas, and participation in a Competency Assessment Interview (Online). It is the minimum standard required of a graduate of an accredited architecture program in Australia.
An applicant’s Portfolio must include 3 to 4 architectural projects, including academic and professional work, as a reference document to support the NSCA Summary Statement.
- Applicants must include the complex projects in their Portfolio. A complex project is a medium- or large-scale project that requires knowledge and skills to deliver the resolution and integration of complex aspects, including siting, planning, structure, materials, composition, configuration, and services.
- A complex project is desired in its ordering and organisation of various occupancy and special-purpose user requirements and requires the integration of social, cultural, environmental, and technical issues.
- When mentioning only residential projects in the Portfolio, one project must include at least four or more dwellings since single-dwelling projects are not considered to be a complex project.
- Applicants must submit the NSCA Summary Statement to address the 13 Topic Areas as outlined and address the relevant group of Performance Criteria. These statements must refer to the projects presented in the Portfolio. To support the application, refer to the NSCA 2021 Explanatory Notes and Definitions on the AACA Website.
- Applicants must prepare Project Summary Proformas to provide an overview of each project and their involvement in any professional projects that are included in the Portfolio.
13 Topic Areas Required In NSCA Summary Statement –
| Professional obligation to meet ethical and legal business requirements |
| Communication With Stakeholders |
| Analysis and integration of the project in its wider context |
| Translation of project brief into a functional design concept through spatial planning |
| Environmental responsibilities |
| Integration of environmental and social science research to optimise the project |
| Developed design |
| Construction documentation |
| Relationship of the structure, construction, and materiality to the brief and the context |
| Demonstrate an understanding of the most common procurement methods |
| Demonstrate an understanding of quality control and contract administration |
| Professional obligation in order to meet ethical and legal business requirements |
| Understanding community values and obligations around equity, diversity, and inclusion, and the First Nation’s ongoing connection and custodianship of Country |
Format Of The Portfolio For AACA Stage 2 / Combined Assessment –
For the AACA Stage 2/Combined Assessment, your portfolio is a technical document, not just a design showcase. It serves as the primary evidence for your interview.
As of 2025, the AACA has specific requirements regarding the layout, content, and file specifications.
Applicants must submit their Portfolio in a PDF format with a maximum file size of 60 MB must adhere to the Portfolio Format Guide:
- Write in an A3 landscape format
- Provide a maximum of 6 pages per project
- Insert project names on every page
- Include page numbers
- Drawings in sequential order by project number
- Consistency layout on every page
- Add a short description of each project
Why Avail Of Stage 2 OQA Writing Help From AustraliaCDRHelp.Com?
AustraliaCDRHelp.Com is the leading online technical writing service provider in Australia. We offer an A-to-Z service to help candidates overcome every writing issue. We have a team of qualified, experienced writers who help candidates succeed in the Stage 2 overseas qualification assessments on the first attempt. They have helped many applicants write their project reports in their Portfolios, expertly, to catch AACA’s attention and secure a successful skills assessment. Candidates believe in our service because they get:
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Related Link ⇒ ACS RPL Skills Assessment
