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 an 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.

Part 1: Eligibility – Logbook and Statement of Practical Experience

Candidates are required to record at least 2 years 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 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 $363.25.

Part 3: Examination by Interview

Upon successful completion of Part 2 of the APE, candidates will receive an invitation to attend 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 $311.35.

Click here for the APE Part 3 Application Form.

APE Dates for 2020

Ordinarily, two rounds of the APE are conducted each year – Round One in April/June and Round Two in August/October.

However, given the currently evolving Coronavirus situation in Australia, the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) has determined that Round One of the APE for 2020 will now be postponed. The Part 2 National Examination Paper (NEP) which was originally scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 21 April 2020 has been postponed until Tuesday, 18 August 2020. 

If you submitted a Part 1 & 2 application for Round One of the APE in 2020 and have passed Part 1, you will automatically be enrolled to sit the NEP on Tuesday, 18 August 2020.

Further information about the NEP, including what time it will commence, will be issued closer to the date of the exam, however candidates are advised to keep the whole of 18 August 2020 free at this stage.

Please continue to consult this website, and the AACA website, regularly for updates and information as to the relevant dates for Round Two of the APE in 2020 as it comes to hand.

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 December). Your application for registration must be received by the Board by 5pm on the second Tuesday of the month 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.

Each year, the Board presents two Architects Board Graduate Awards – one to a graduate from the University of Western Australia and one to a graduate from Curtin University.

The Award recognises the excellence of a top performing student who has recently graduated from each University and who is most likely to benefit from travel or further study.

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

Each prize is valued at $6,000.

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.