Do architects, certifiers and other building professionals need a licence in Australia?
Yes. Architects must be registered with the architects board in their state or territory to call themselves an architect. Building certifiers or surveyors must be registered or licensed in every state, and engineers, building designers and land surveyors need registration in some states.
Licence by state
| State | Licence needed? | Licence and who issues it | Check a licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSWNew South Wales | Yes | Architect registration NSW Architects Registration Board Only people on the register can use the title architect. Certifiers, design practitioners and professional engineers are registered by Building Commission NSW. |
NSW Register of Architects |
| VICVictoria | Yes | Architect registration Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) Unregistered people cannot call themselves architects or offer architectural design services. Building surveyors, inspectors and building designers register with the BPC; engineers with Consumer Affairs Victoria. |
ARBV Search for an architect |
| QLDQueensland | Yes | Architect registration Board of Architects of Queensland (BOAQ) Engineering work for Queensland projects needs an RPEQ. Certifiers, building designers and home inspectors need a QBCC licence. |
Queensland Register of Architects |
| WAWestern Australia | Yes | Architect registration Architects Board of Western Australia Only registered people can use a title with 'architect'. Building surveyors register with Building and Energy. |
Register of architects |
| SASouth Australia | Yes | Architect registration Architectural Practice Board of South Australia Architectural businesses are also registered. Building certifiers are accredited professionals listed on the PlanSA register. |
Search for Architects / Businesses |
| TASTasmania | Yes | Architect registration (plus CBOS Designer - architect licence) Board of Architects of Tasmania CBOS also licenses architects, building designers, engineers and building surveyors as building services providers. |
Is your architect registered? |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | Yes | Architect registration ACT Architects Board (through Access Canberra) You need registration to call yourself an architect or advertise as one. Registration lasts one year. |
Ask the regulator |
| NTNorthern Territory | Yes | Architect registration Northern Territory Architects Board Building certifiers, certifying engineers and certifying architects also register with the NT Building Practitioners Board. |
Ask the regulator |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Building certifier / building surveyorRegistered certifier (building surveyor classes)
NSW - Building Commission NSW
Building surveyor / building inspectorBuilding surveyor or building inspector registration (limited or unlimited)
VIC - Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC)
Building certifierQBCC certifier licence
QLD - QBCC
Building surveyorBuilding surveying practitioner registration (level 1, level 2, technician); building surveying contractor registration for private certification
WA - Building and Energy
Building certifierAccredited professional - building (levels 1 to 4)
SA - Accreditation Authority via PlanSA
Building surveyorBuilding Surveyor licence (Open or Limited)
TAS - CBOS
Building surveyorConstruction occupation licence - building surveyor
ACT - Construction Occupations Registrar (Access Canberra)
Building certifierBuilding practitioner registration - building certifier
NT - Building Practitioners Board
Pre-purchase / completed home inspectionCompleted residential building inspection licence (AS 4349.1 reports)
QLD - QBCC
Building inspectorBuilding inspector registration
VIC - BPC
Building inspector (certification)Registered certifier - building inspector class
NSW - Building Commission NSW
Professional engineerRegistered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ)
QLD - Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland
Professional engineer (fire safety, civil, structural, electrical, mechanical)Professional engineer registration (endorsement needed for building work)
VIC - Consumer Affairs Victoria / Business Licensing Authority
Professional engineer on class 2, 3 or 9c buildingsProfessional engineer registration (Design and Building Practitioners scheme)
NSW - Building Commission NSW, apply via Service NSW
Designer of regulated designs (class 2, 3, 9c buildings)Design practitioner registration
NSW - Building Commission NSW, apply via Service NSW
Professional engineerProfessional Engineers Registration Scheme
ACT - Access Canberra (opened 6 March 2024, phased)
Certifying engineer / certifying architectBuilding practitioner registration
NT - Building Practitioners Board
Building designer (draftsperson)Building Designer registration (architectural, interior or services)
VIC - BPC
Building designerQBCC building design licence (low rise, medium rise, open)
QLD - QBCC
Architect, building designer, engineer, building services designerBuilding services provider licence - Designer category
TAS - CBOS
Land surveyorRegistered land surveyor
NSW - Board of Surveying and Spatial Information (BOSSI)
Land surveyorLicensed surveyor
VIC - Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria
Land surveyorRegistered surveyor
ACT - Access Canberra (surveyors registration)
Hiring? How to check a licence
- Ask for the registration or licence number and the name on it.
- Search the right register: the architects board for architects, the building regulator for certifiers, surveyors, inspectors and designers.
- Check the status is current and the class covers your job (for example, limited building surveyors are capped at 3 storeys or 2,000 m2).
- Read any conditions or disciplinary notes on the register entry.
- For engineers, check the engineer register in QLD (RPEQ), VIC or NSW.
- If the name is not on the register, ask why before you sign anything.
Find local businesses: ArchitectsBuilding DesignersDraftsmanInterior DesignersSurveyorsBuilding CertifierStructural EngineerBuilding InspectorTown Planners
On ServiceTasker, a business uploads its licence and our team checks it before a licence badge shows on its profile. You see what it holds, never the number or the document.
For businesses: how to get this licence
- Qualify: finish an accredited architecture degree (overseas degrees are assessed by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia).
- Experience: get supervised practical experience (for example, two years in WA).
- Exam: pass the Architectural Practice Examination (APE), written and oral.
- Documents: ID, proof of qualification and experience, references and the fee. Some boards also need insurance and CPD.
- Apply to your state or territory architects board (links below). Each board runs its own Architects Act.
- Licensed in another state? Use automatic mutual recognition, but tell the board in the new state before you start work.
- Certifiers, engineers, building designers and land surveyors apply to their own regulator (see extra licences).
| State | Who issues it | Apply here (official) | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | NSW Architects Registration Board | How to apply | Requirements |
| VIC | Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) | How to apply | Requirements |
| QLD | Board of Architects of Queensland (BOAQ) | Ask the regulator | - |
| WA | Architects Board of Western Australia | How to apply | Requirements |
| SA | Architectural Practice Board of South Australia | How to apply | - |
| TAS | Board of Architects of Tasmania | How to apply | Requirements |
| ACT | ACT Architects Board (through Access Canberra) | How to apply | Requirements |
| NT | Northern Territory Architects Board | Ask the regulator | - |
Last checked: 12 November 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Rules, fees and forms change: always check with the regulator in your state before you hire or apply. Some details could not be confirmed online and are left out; the regulator can confirm them.
Official sources (42)
- aaca.org.au /architect-registration/registration-authorities-and-mutual-recognitio...
- architects.nsw.gov.au /
- architects.nsw.gov.au /becoming-registered/protection-of-architect-title
- arbv.vic.gov.au /
- arbv.vic.gov.au /architectural-industry-prohibited-conduct
- boaq.qld.gov.au /
- architectsboard.org.au /
- archboardsa.org.au /architects-architectural-business
- archboardsa.org.au /registration
- architectsboardtas.org.au /
- accesscanberra.act.gov.au /business-and-work/building-and-construction/architect-registration
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/construction-licences
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/professional-engineers-...
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/survey-spatial/boundary-surveying/surveyors-registratio...
- architects.nt.gov.au /
- bpb.nt.gov.au /registration
- nt.gov.au /industry/licences/builders-and-building-certifiers
- nt.gov.au /industry/licences/certifying-engineers-and-architects
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-certifiers/app...
- applications.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au /bdcregister/
- service.nsw.gov.au /transaction/check-the-registration-of-a-professional-engineer-design-...
- service.nsw.gov.au /transaction/apply-for-professional-engineer-registration
- service.nsw.gov.au /transaction/apply-for-design-practitioner-registration
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- bossi.nsw.gov.au /
- bpc.vic.gov.au /builders/builder-classes/building-surveyor
- bpc.vic.gov.au /builders/builder-classes/building-inspector
- bpc.vic.gov.au /builders/builder-classes/building-designer
- consumer.vic.gov.au /licensing-and-registration/professional-engineers/who-needs-to-be-reg...
- registers.consumer.vic.gov.au /PEsearch
- surveyorsboard.vic.gov.au /content/76/default.aspx
- bpeq.qld.gov.au /for-engineers/become-a-rpeq
- bpeq.qld.gov.au /about-us/frequently-asked-questions
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licence/inspectors-certifiers/certif...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licence/inspectors-certifiers/comple...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences
- commerce.wa.gov.au /building-and-energy/building-surveyors-registration-overview
- commerce.wa.gov.au /building-and-energy/find-registered-building-surveyor
- plan.sa.gov.au /our_planning_system/schemes/accredited_professionals_scheme
- plan.sa.gov.au /resources/accreditation/becoming_an_accredited_professional
- cbos.tas.gov.au /__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/644503/Occupational-Licensing-Building-Se...
- cbos.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/search-licensed-occupations/find-a-...
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