{"id":"nsw:sl-2017-0431","name":"Architects Regulation 2017","slug":"architects-regulation-2017","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"431 of 2017","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":176753,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:sl-2017-0431-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary\n\nPart 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Regulation","content":"#### 1 Name of Regulation\n\n1 Name of Regulation\n\n> This Regulation is the [Architects Regulation 2017](/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2017-0431).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> This Regulation commences on 1 September 2017 and is required to be published on the NSW legislation website.\n> \n> Note.\n> \n> This Regulation replaces the [Architects Regulation 2012](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2012-0424), which is repealed on 1 September 2017 by section 10 (2) of the [Subordinate Legislation Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1989-146).","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definition","content":"#### 3 Definition\n\n3 Definition\n\n> > (1) In this Regulation—\n> > \n> > the Act means the [Architects Act 2003](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2003-089).\n> > \n> > Note.\n> > \n> > The Act and the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015) contain definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Regulation.\n> \n> > (2) Notes included in this Regulation do not form part of this Regulation.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Registration","content":"# Part 2 Registration\n\nPart 2 Registration","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Qualifications for registration","content":"#### 4 Qualifications for registration\n\n4 Qualifications for registration\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of section 16 (1) (a) of the Act, a Bachelor degree or Masters degree in the discipline of architecture accredited by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia are prescribed architectural qualifications.\n> \n> > (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Board may approve such other qualifications and experience in any particular case as the Board sees fit.\n> \n> > (3) The criteria prescribed for the purposes of section 16 (1) (b) of the Act are—\n> > \n> > > (a) that the course is the subject of a recommendation for accreditation by a National Visiting Panel in accordance with the Australian and New Zealand Architecture Program Accreditation Procedure, and\n> > \n> > > (b) that the course is included on the list of accredited architectural qualifications maintained by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia.\n> \n> > (4) In this clause, Australian and New Zealand Architecture Program Accreditation Procedure means the document of that name published from time to time by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia and the Australian Institute of Architects.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Particulars to be recorded in Register","content":"#### 5 Particulars to be recorded in Register\n\n5 Particulars to be recorded in Register\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of section 25 (5) (a) of the Act, the following particulars are to be recorded in the Register in respect of each architect—\n> > \n> > > (a) the registration number of the architect,\n> > \n> > > (b) the business address of the architect or, if the architect has no business address or if the architect so requests, the residential address of the architect,\n> > \n> > > (c) the email address of the architect,\n> > \n> > > (d) whether the architect is a practising architect or a non-practising architect,\n> > \n> > > (e) whether or not the architect has submitted any forms that the architect is required by the Registrar to submit,\n> > \n> > > (f) if the architect is or has been a nominated architect—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) the name of each corporation or firm for which the architect is or has been a nominated architect, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) the total number of corporations or firms for which the architect is currently a nominated architect, and\n> > > \n> > > > (iii) the commencement date and end date (if any) for each period during which the architect is or was a nominated architect for the corporation or firm concerned,\n> > \n> > > (g) such other particulars that—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) the Registrar considers relevant, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) the architect consents to being included.\n> > \n> > Note.\n> > \n> > Section 25 (1) of the Act requires the Registrar to establish and maintain a register of architects (the Register) for the purposes of the Act, and for the purposes of Part 3 of the [Licensing and Registration (Uniform Procedures) Act 2002](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2002-028), as applied by section 22 of the Act. Section 49 of the [Licensing and Registration (Uniform Procedures) Act 2002](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2002-028) requires the following particulars, which are additional to the particulars set out above, to be recorded in the Register—\n> > \n> > > (a) the name of the registered person,\n> > \n> > > (b) the kind of registration it is, whether by reference to the relevant provision of the Act or otherwise,\n> > \n> > > (c) the authority conferred by registration and (in the case of registration that is subject to discretionary conditions) a statement to that effect,\n> > \n> > > (d) the date on which registration comes into force and (in the case of fixed-term registration) the date on which registration expires.\n> \n> > (2) The Registrar may record that an architect is a non-practising architect for the purposes of subclause (1) (d) only if the Registrar is satisfied that—\n> > \n> > > (a) the architect has retired from the practice of architecture, or\n> > \n> > > (b) the architect is not likely to practise as an architect for the foreseeable future.\n> \n> > (3) If an architect is recorded in the Register as being a non-practising architect, the Registrar may not alter the Register to record that the architect is a practising architect for the purposes of subclause (1) (d) unless the architect has demonstrated to the Board’s satisfaction that the architect’s architectural skills and knowledge are current.\n> \n> > (4) The Registrar may publish all or part of the particulars recorded in the Register on the Board’s website.\n> \n> > (5) Despite subclause (4), an architect may make a request in writing to the Registrar that specified particulars relating to the architect not be published on the Board’s website and the Registrar may, at the Registrar’s discretion, comply with all or part of the architect’s request.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"The Board","content":"# Part 3 The Board\n\nPart 3 The Board","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Relevant educational institutions","content":"#### 6 Relevant educational institutions\n\n6 Relevant educational institutions\n\n> For the purposes of the definition of relevant educational institution in section 60 (6) of the Act, any University, within the meaning of the [Universities Governing Bodies Act 2011](/view/html/repealed/current/act-2011-051), that offers a Bachelor degree or Masters degree in the discipline of architecture accredited by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia is prescribed.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Appointment of academic members to Board","content":"#### 7 Appointment of academic members to Board\n\n7 Appointment of academic members to Board\n\n> > (1) For the purposes of section 60 (1) (c) of the Act, the member of the Board appointed under that paragraph is to be appointed by the governing body of a relevant educational institution on rotation with all other relevant educational institutions.\n> > \n> > Note.\n> > \n> > Clause 3 of Schedule 1 to the Act provides for maximum periods that a member of the Board can hold office.\n> \n> > (2) The Board is to determine the order in which the governing bodies of the relevant educational institutions are to appoint the member of the Board under this clause.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conduct of elections of architects to Board","content":"#### 8 Conduct of elections of architects to Board\n\n8 Conduct of elections of architects to Board\n\n> For the purposes of section 60 (1) (d) of the Act, the election of architects to be members of the Board is to be held and conducted in the manner set out in Schedule 1.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Part 4 Miscellaneous\n\nPart 4 Miscellaneous","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Representations","content":"#### 9 Representations\n\n9 Representations\n\n> For the purposes of section 13 (1) (c) of the Act, the following titles, names and descriptions are prescribed—\n> \n> > (a) the title or description, or a derivative of the title or description, “architectural designer”, or\n> \n> > (b) “architectural design” as a description of services provided by the person.\n> \n> Note.\n> \n> Section 13 (1) (b) of the Act also provides that a title, name or description that indicates, or is capable of being understood to indicate, or is calculated to lead a person to infer, that the person is an architect, constitutes a representation that the person is an architect.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Exceptions for names of professional associations of architects","content":"#### 10 Exceptions for names of professional associations of architects\n\n10 Exceptions for names of professional associations of architects\n\n> For the purposes of section 14 (f) of the Act, a professional association of architects is not prohibited from using the title or description of “architect” or “registered architect” in the name of the association.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct","content":"#### 11 NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct\n\n11 NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct\n\n> For the purposes of section 7 (1) of the Act, the NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct set out in Schedule 2 is established as the code of professional conduct.\n> \n> Note.\n> \n> Section 7 (1) of the Act enables regulations to be made under the Act for the establishment of a code of professional conduct setting out guidelines that should be observed by architects in their professional practice.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Professional misconduct","content":"#### 12 Professional misconduct\n\n12 Professional misconduct\n\n> For the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of professional misconduct in section 32 of the Act, conduct of an architect that involves a substantial or consistent failure to reach reasonable standards of competence and diligence as an architect is declared to be professional misconduct.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Savings","content":"#### 13 Savings\n\n13 Savings\n\n> Any act, matter or thing that, immediately before the repeal of the [Architects Regulation 2012](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2012-0424), had effect under that Regulation continues to have effect under this Regulation.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Election of architects to the Board","content":"# Schedule 1 Election of architects to the Board\n\nSchedule 1 Election of architects to the Board\n\n(Clause 8)","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"Part 5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Ballot papers","content":"# Part 5 Ballot papers\n\nPart 5 Ballot papers","sortOrder":34},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Preparation of ballot papers","content":"#### 14 Preparation of ballot papers\n\n14 Preparation of ballot papers\n\n> > (1) The order of names on the ballot paper must be determined by lot drawn by the returning officer.\n> \n> > (2) A ballot paper for an election must state the closing date of the ballot and contain directions as to the manner in which a vote is to be recorded and returned to the returning officer.\n> \n> > (3) The directions to voters must include directions that—\n> > \n> > > (a) the voter must record a vote for at least the number of candidates to be elected in the order of the voter’s preferences for them, and\n> > \n> > > (b) the voter may, but is not required to, vote for additional candidates in the order of the voter’s preferences for them.","sortOrder":36},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Duplicate ballot papers","content":"#### 15 Duplicate ballot papers\n\n15 Duplicate ballot papers\n\n> > (1) At any time before the close of the ballot, the returning officer may issue to a voter a duplicate ballot paper and envelope if the voter satisfies the returning officer—\n> > \n> > > (a) that the original ballot paper has been spoilt, lost or destroyed, and\n> > \n> > > (b) that the voter has not already voted in the election to which the ballot paper relates.\n> \n> > (2) The returning officer must maintain a record of all duplicate ballot papers issued under this clause.","sortOrder":37},{"sectionNumber":"Part 6","sectionType":"part","heading":"Postal ballot","content":"# Part 6 Postal ballot\n\nPart 6 Postal ballot","sortOrder":38},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application of Part","content":"#### 16 Application of Part\n\n16 Application of Part\n\n> This Part applies to—\n> \n> > (a) the conduct of an election by a postal ballot, or\n> \n> > (b) voting in an electronic ballot by voters who have given notice to the Board under clause 4 of the voter’s wish to vote by means of a postal ballot.","sortOrder":39},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Distribution of ballot papers","content":"#### 17 Distribution of ballot papers\n\n17 Distribution of ballot papers\n\n> As soon as practicable, the returning officer must send to each voter—\n> \n> > (a) a ballot paper for the election, and\n> \n> > (b) an unsealed reply-paid envelope addressed to the returning officer and bearing on the back the words “NAME AND REGISTRATION NUMBER OF VOTER”, together with appropriate spaces for the insertion of a name and a registration number, and\n> \n> > (c) if applicable, a candidate information sheet.","sortOrder":40},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Receipt of ballot papers","content":"#### 18 Receipt of ballot papers\n\n18 Receipt of ballot papers\n\n> > (1) The returning officer must reject any ballot paper if the envelope is not received before the close of the ballot.\n> \n> > (2) The returning officer must examine the name on the back of the envelope and, without opening the envelope—\n> > \n> > > (a) must accept the ballot paper in the envelope and draw a line through the name on the roll that corresponds to the name on the back of the envelope, if satisfied that a person of that name is included in the roll for the election, or\n> > \n> > > (b) must reject the ballot paper in the envelope if not so satisfied or if a name or a registration number does not appear on the back of the envelope.","sortOrder":41},{"sectionNumber":"Part 7","sectionType":"part","heading":"Electronic ballot","content":"# Part 7 Electronic ballot\n\nPart 7 Electronic ballot","sortOrder":42},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application of Part","content":"#### 19 Application of Part\n\n19 Application of Part\n\n> This Part applies if the returning officer decides to conduct an election by an electronic ballot.\n> \n> Note.\n> \n> Part 6 applies in relation to voters who have given notice to the Board under clause 4 of the voter’s wish to vote by means of a postal ballot in an electronic ballot.","sortOrder":43},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Means of voting in electronic ballot","content":"#### 20 Means of voting in electronic ballot\n\n20 Means of voting in electronic ballot\n\n> > (1) An electronic ballot may be conducted by email or by remote electronic voting.\n> \n> > (2) If an electronic ballot is conducted by means of accessing a voting website, any voter may notify the returning officer in writing that they wish to vote by email, in which case clause 21 applies to that voter.","sortOrder":44},{"sectionNumber":"21","sectionType":"section","heading":"Voting by email","content":"#### 21 Voting by email\n\n21 Voting by email\n\n> > (1) As soon as practicable after the close of nominations in an election, the returning officer must send by email to each voter the following—\n> > \n> > > (a) an electronic ballot paper prepared in accordance with clause 14,\n> > \n> > > (b) an electronic candidate information sheet, if applicable,\n> > \n> > > (c) directions on how to submit the completed electronic ballot paper.\n> \n> > (2) Each voter must—\n> > \n> > > (a) vote in accordance with the directions contained on the ballot paper, and\n> > \n> > > (b) submit the vote in accordance with the directions contained in the email.\n> \n> > (3) The returning officer must ensure that all electronic ballot papers are stored securely in such a way that ensures that the vote recorded by any voter cannot be identified until the counting of the votes begins.","sortOrder":45},{"sectionNumber":"22","sectionType":"section","heading":"Voting website","content":"#### 22 Voting website\n\n22 Voting website\n\n> > (1) If an electronic ballot is to be conducted by means of accessing a website (the voting website), the voting website must include the following—\n> > \n> > > (a) instructions on how to vote, including directions that—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) the voter must record a vote for at least the number of candidates to be elected in the order of the voter’s preferences for them, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) the voter may, but is not required to, vote for additional candidates in the order of the voter’s preferences for them,\n> > \n> > > (b) the names of all candidates for election,\n> > \n> > > (c) the candidate information sheet, if applicable,\n> > \n> > > (d) the closing date of the ballot.\n> \n> > (2) The voting website must be established in such a way that—\n> > \n> > > (a) enables the voter to make a declaration stating that the voter is eligible to vote in the election, and\n> > \n> > > (b) ensures that the vote recorded by any voter cannot be identified, and\n> > \n> > > (c) allows a voter to review and amend as necessary the voter’s recording of a vote before submitting it.","sortOrder":46},{"sectionNumber":"23","sectionType":"section","heading":"Secure storage of electronic votes","content":"#### 23 Secure storage of electronic votes\n\n23 Secure storage of electronic votes\n\n> The returning officer must ensure that electronic votes are kept secure until the counting of votes is concluded in accordance with Part 8.","sortOrder":47},{"sectionNumber":"24","sectionType":"section","heading":"Receipt of electronic votes","content":"#### 24 Receipt of electronic votes\n\n24 Receipt of electronic votes\n\n> The returning officer must reject any electronic vote not submitted before the close of the ballot.","sortOrder":48},{"sectionNumber":"Part 8","sectionType":"part","heading":"Procedures on close of ballot","content":"# Part 8 Procedures on close of ballot\n\nPart 8 Procedures on close of ballot","sortOrder":49},{"sectionNumber":"25","sectionType":"section","heading":"Counting of votes","content":"#### 25 Counting of votes\n\n25 Counting of votes\n\n> > (1) The returning officer must reject a vote as informal if the voter has not indicated a clear preference for at least the number of candidates to be elected.\n> \n> > (2) If there is only 1 person to be elected in any election—\n> > \n> > > (a) the method of counting the votes so as to ascertain the result of the election is as provided in Part 2 of the Seventh Schedule to the [Constitution Act 1902](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1902-032), and\n> > \n> > > (b) for the purpose of applying the provisions of that Part to any such election, a reference in those provisions to the returning officer must be read as a reference to the returning officer under this Regulation.\n> \n> > (3) If there are 2 persons to be elected in any election—\n> > \n> > > (a) the method of counting the votes so as to ascertain the result of the election is as provided in Part 2 of the Sixth Schedule to the [Constitution Act 1902](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1902-032), and\n> > \n> > > (b) for the purpose of applying the provisions of that Part to any such election—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) a reference in those provisions to the Council returning officer must be read as a reference to the returning officer under this Regulation, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) the quota referred to in those provisions must be determined by dividing the number of first preference votes for all candidates by 3 and by increasing the quotient so obtained (disregarding any remainder) by one.","sortOrder":50},{"sectionNumber":"26","sectionType":"section","heading":"Notice of result of election","content":"#### 26 Notice of result of election\n\n26 Notice of result of election\n\n> As soon as practicable after a candidate or candidates in an election has or have been elected, the returning officer must—\n> \n> > (a) notify the Minister and the Registrar, in writing, of the name of each candidate elected, and\n> \n> > (b) cause notice of the name of each candidate elected to be published on the Board’s website.","sortOrder":51},{"sectionNumber":"Part 9","sectionType":"part","heading":"General","content":"# Part 9 General\n\nPart 9 General","sortOrder":52},{"sectionNumber":"27","sectionType":"section","heading":"Decisions of returning officer final","content":"#### 27 Decisions of returning officer final\n\n27 Decisions of returning officer final\n\n> If the returning officer is permitted or required by the Act or this Regulation to make a decision on any matter relating to the taking of a ballot in any election, the decision of the returning officer on that matter is final.","sortOrder":53},{"sectionNumber":"28","sectionType":"section","heading":"Offences","content":"#### 28 Offences\n\n28 Offences\n\n> A person must not—\n> \n> > (a) vote, or attempt to vote, more than once in any election held under this Regulation, or\n> \n> > (b) vote, or attempt to vote, in any such election in which the person is not entitled to vote, or\n> \n> > (c) make a false or wilfully misleading statement—\n> > \n> > > (i) to the returning officer in connection with any such election, or\n> > \n> > > (ii) in any document that the person furnishes for the purposes of any such election.\n> \n> Maximum penalty—5 penalty units.","sortOrder":54},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 2","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct","content":"# Schedule 2 NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct\n\nSchedule 2 NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct\n\n(Clause 11)\n\nIntroductory note.\n\nThe following Code of Professional Conduct provides architects and their clients with a statement of the standards required of architects when engaged to provide architectural services.\n\nA failure to comply with the Code may constitute unsatisfactory professional conduct for the purposes of the [Architects Act 2003](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2003-089) and may be grounds for disciplinary action under Part 4 of that Act.\n\n**sch 2:** Am 2018 No 65, Sch 2.2.","sortOrder":55}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available metadata, there is no indication that the regulation's scope has materially changed from its original intent when made in 2017. The 2020 amendments appear to be routine updates rather than a fundamental shift in purpose. The regulation continues to serve its original function of providing administrative detail for architect registration in NSW."},"complexity_factors":["The actual substantive content of the regulation is not included in the provided text — only metadata and status information is visible, limiting full analysis","Interaction with a parent Act (Architects Act) means the regulation cannot be read in isolation","Pending but uncommenced amendments from the Licensing and Registration (Uniform Procedures) Amendment Act 2022 create uncertainty about the complete current legal position","Automatic repeal (sunset) mechanism adds a time-sensitive compliance consideration","NSW-specific regulatory framework may differ from other Australian states, adding complexity for practitioners operating across jurisdictions"],"plain_english_summary":"The Architects Regulation 2017 (NSW) sets out the practical rules for licensing and registration of architects in NSW — fees, application information and administrative procedures — and underpins who may call themselves an architect. It affects practising architects, architecture firms and the NSW Architects Registration Board and is essential to legal practice in the state. Note: it’s scheduled to be repealed on 1 Sep 2026; some 2022 amendments haven’t commenced."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Regulation appears consistent with its original purpose of operationalising the Architects Act 2003. It covers registration, Board governance, professional conduct, and title protection — all core functions suggested by the enabling Act. The detailed election procedures and Code of Conduct are substantial but represent standard implementation of the Act's framework rather than scope creep."},"complexity_factors":["Two detailed schedules: Schedule 1 (election procedures, 28 clauses across 9 Parts) and Schedule 2 (Code of Professional Conduct, 19 clauses across 7 Parts)","Multiple cross-references to the Architects Act 2003, Licensing and Registration (Uniform Procedures) Act 2002, Constitution Act 1902, and other legislation","Conditional logic in voting procedures (postal vs electronic ballots, contingent arrangements)","Nested exceptions in insurance requirements (clause 15) and deposit limits (clause 9)","Defined terms scattered across multiple sections (some in main Regulation, some in Schedules)","Detailed procedural requirements for elections with multiple decision points and alternative pathways"],"plain_english_summary":"This Regulation sets out the detailed rules for how architects are registered and regulated in New South Wales. It works together with the Architects Act 2003.\n\n**What it does:**\n\n- **Sets qualifications for registration**: To become a registered architect, you generally need an accredited Bachelor or Masters degree in architecture. The Board can also approve other qualifications case by case.\n\n- **Manages the Register of Architects**: The Regulation specifies what details must be recorded about each architect — including their registration number, contact details, whether they're practising or non-practising, and their history as a \"nominated architect\" (the responsible architect for a company or firm). Architects can request that some details not be published online.\n\n- **Governs Board elections**: Detailed rules for how architects elect their representatives to the NSW Architects Registration Board, including nomination procedures, postal and electronic voting, and how votes are counted.\n\n- **Protects the title \"architect\"**: Only registered architects can use the title, with specific exceptions allowing terms like \"architectural designer\" or use by professional associations.\n\n- **Establishes a Code of Professional Conduct**: Schedule 2 contains detailed ethical and practice standards that architects must follow, covering:\n  - How to deal with clients (written agreements, disclosure of conflicts, keeping records)\n  - Competency and care standards\n  - Professional indemnity insurance requirements\n  - Continuing professional development\n  - Honest dealings with the public and other architects\n\n- **Defines professional misconduct**: A \"substantial or consistent failure\" to meet reasonable standards of competence and diligence counts as professional misconduct.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Anyone wanting to become a registered architect in NSW\n- Currently registered architects (practising and non-practising)\n- The NSW Architects Registration Board\n- Clients hiring architects\n- Universities offering architecture degrees\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis Regulation protects the public by ensuring only qualified, competent people can call themselves architects. It creates accountability through a enforceable code of conduct, ensures architects stay up-to-date through continuing education, and maintains transparency through a public register."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Regulation continues and consolidates prior arrangements rather than expanding scope: existing acts and matters under the Architects Regulation 2012 are preserved (savings clause cl.13). It sets registration, Board governance/election mechanics and a detailed Code of Conduct consistent with the Act (see cl.13, cl.11)."},"complexity_factors":["Detailed election procedures with dual modes (postal and electronic voting) and voter options (Schedule 1; cl.16, cl.19–24).","Significant discretion vested in Board, Registrar and returning officer (cl.4(2), cl.5(1)(g), cl.27).","Prescriptive professional standards in the Code (Schedule 2) across client agreements (cl.7), record keeping (cl.10), retainers cap (cl.9), insurance (cl.15) and CPD (cl.16).","Exemptions and exceptions adding conditional complexity (Board may approve other qualifications cl.4(2); Board may grant insurance exemptions cl.15(2); non‑practising status cl.5(2)–(3)).","Multiple cross‑references to other statutes and external accreditation procedures (cl.3; cl.4(3); cl.25 references Constitution Act counting methods).","Publication and privacy choices for register data creating administrative discretion and compliance choices (cl.5(4)–(5)).","Enforcement and professional discipline provisions (definition of professional misconduct cl.12; offences and penalties cl.28)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Regulation sets the rules for registering architects, how the NSW Architects Registration Board is composed and elected, and establishes the NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct. It prescribes accredited qualifications, what is recorded in the public register, election procedures (postal and electronic) and professional duties including written client agreements, record‑keeping, insurance and continuing professional development. It primarily affects registered architects, who bear compliance costs (insurance, records, CPD) and are subject to Board/Registrar and returning‑officer decisions (see cl.4, cl.5, cl.15, cl.16, cl.27)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/architects-regulation-2017","history":"/api/acts/architects-regulation-2017/history","analysis":"/api/acts/architects-regulation-2017/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/architects-regulation-2017/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/architects-regulation-2017/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/architects-regulation-2017/documents"}}