In Western Australia, the Architects Act 2004 requires that any person carrying out the practice of architecture under the title of “Architect” is to be registered with the Architects Board of Western Australia.

In WA, there are three pathways to registration.  Which pathway an applicant takes depends on whether the applicant possesses a professional qualification in architecture or not, and if the professional qualification is from an accredited course or not.

To find out more about how to become a registered architect in Western Australia, click here.

The purpose of the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) is to ensure that persons applying to be registered as an architect in any State or Territory in Australia have adequate knowledge and understanding of the practice of architecture in Australia and a capacity to exercise professional skill.

The APE comprises three parts, as follows:

• Part 1 – Logbook and Statement of Practical Experience
• Part 2 – National Examination Paper
• Part 3 – Examination by Interview

Once all requirements of the three-part APE have been satisfactorily met, candidates can apply to the Architect Registration Board in the State or Territory in which they wish to practice, for registration as an architect.

Please refer to the AACA website and the AACA APE Candidate Handbook for full details about the requirements of the APE.

Part 1: Eligibility – Logbook and Statement of Practical Experience

Candidates are required to record at least 2 years of recent practical experience against specified competencies and include a Statement of Practical Experience, which is a brief synopsis of practical experience.

Click here for the APE Logbook.

Click here for the Board’s Logbook Submission Instructions (Information Sheet 11).

Click here for the APE Parts 1 & 2 Application Form.

Part 2: National Examination Paper (NEP)

The National Examination Paper is a 70-minute “closed book” scenario computer-based exam conducted by the Boards in test centres nominated by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia in each State or Territory. It consists of nine “scenarios”. Each scenario comprises five multiple-choice questions with each multiple-choice question having four possible responses, of which only one is correct.

The fee for undertaking Parts 1 & 2 of the APE is $665.00.

Part 3: Examination by Interview

Upon successful completion of Part 2 of the APE, candidates will receive an invitation to enrol into the Part 3 Examination by Interview.

Each candidate is interviewed by two Architects Board of WA examiners who are experienced practitioners, on the range of work and experience presented by the candidate. The duration of the interview is one hour.

The fee for undertaking Part 3 of the APE is $565.00.

Please email the Board if you wish to apply for the APE Part 3 and you have not received an invitation to enrol, or you are resitting Part 3, or enrolling from another jurisdiction.

APE Dates for 2027

Two rounds of the APE are conducted each year – Round One from January to June and Round Two in from July to November. The relevant dates for 2027 are set out below.

Dates for 2027:

Round 1, 2027

Enrolments for Parts 1 & 2 are open from 9.30 am Tuesday, 19 January 2027 to 4 pm Thursday, 28 January 2027. (To be submitted via email – info@architectsboard.org.au)

The Part 2 National Examination Paper will be held on Tuesday, 13 April 2027.

Enrolments for Part 3 (including Re-Sits) will open from 9.30 am Monday, 10 May 2027 to 4 pm Friday, 21 May 2027*.

The Part 3 Examinations By Interview will be held during the weeks commencing 7 and 14 June 2026.

Submissions can be made anytime during the enrolment period and must be emailed.
No extensions will be granted and no late submissions will be accepted.

Candidates applying to re-sit Parts 2 or 3 must submit their updated logbooks and statements of practical experience during these submission dates to be included in the relevant round.

Applications can be submitted via email to: info@architectsboard.org.au.

Should you require any further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Board via the email provided above.

Round 2, 2027

Enrolments for Parts 1 & 2 are open from 9.30 am Thursday, 24 June 2027 to 4 pm Thursday, 8 July 2027. (To be submitted via email – info@architectsboard.org.au)

The Part 2 National Examination Paper will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2027.

Enrolments for Part 3 (including Re-Sits) will open from 9.30 am Monday, 18 October 2027 to 4 pm Friday, 29 October 2027*.

The Part 3 Examinations By Interview will be held during the weeks commencing 15 and 22 November 2027.

* Submissions must be made during the enrolment period. Please contact the Board if you wish to submit for the APE Part 3. You will be emailed a link to log into the new ABWA portal where you can upload documents and update your profile. Please email the Board before the enrolment closing date to ensure you have your unique link and you can complete the portal submission in time.

No extensions will be granted and no late submissions will be accepted.

Candidates applying to re-sit Parts 2 or 3 must submit their updated logbooks and statements of practical experience during these submission dates to be included in the relevant round.

Applications can be submitted via email to: info@architectsboard.org.au.

Should you require any further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Board via the email provided above.

Once all three parts of the APE have been successfully completed, candidates are eligible to apply for registration in Western Australia.

Applications for registration are considered by the Board at its monthly meeting. Note that the Board meets on the third Tuesday of the month (excluding January). Your application for registration must be received by the Board by 5pm on the second Tuesday of the month (two weeks before the Board meeting) to be eligible for consideration at that month’s Board meeting. Applications received after this time will be considered at the following month’s Board meeting.

Click here for the Board’s Application for Registration as an Architect Form.

This Award is provided annually to a graduate student from one of the following universities: Curtin University, the University of WA and the University of Notre Dame Australia.

The graduate student must have completed the degree of Master of Architecture, and, in the judgement of the relevant selection panel, have demonstrated excellence in their studies and be likely to benefit from undertaking further research and/or study (which may, but is not required to, include travel) in order to pursue a career in architecture, as a registered architect.

Candidates for the Award are nominated by the Faculty of each University and the Award is judged by a selection panel comprising representatives from the Board.

The recipient of the Award will receive a certificate and a monetary amount of $7,000.

In addition to the Award, the Board has the discretion to present up to two commendations in any given year in the amount of $500 each.

Further information about the Architects Board of Western Australia Graduate Award can be found here.

For further information regarding the Architectural Practice Examination, the National Standard of Competency for Architects and pathways to registration as an architect, please visit the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia website.