Review of Legislation Regulating the Architectural Profession

Abstract

In 1999, the Commonwealth Government referred legislation and associated regulations relating to the architectural profession to the Productivity Commission for inquiry and report within nine months. The reference was sent on behalf of the governments of the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales and was to assist State and Territory governments meet their legislation review obligations under the Competition Principles Agreement. The Commission was asked to report on the preferred option for regulation, if any, of the architectural profession in Australia. On balance, the Commission assessed that the costs of current regulation outweigh its benefits because claimed benefits of Architects Acts could be achieved more effectively by a self-regulating profession and other existing legislation.

Keywords: architectural profession - architects - legislation review - building - design - regulation

JEL Classification: D