architects registration board of victoria

What architects registration board of victoria does

The Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) is a statutory authority established under the Architects Act 1991 (Vic) and accountable to the Victorian Minister for Planning through the Department of Transport and Planning. The organisation regulates the architectural profession in the Australian state of Victoria, maintaining exclusive statutory power to register individual architects, approve companies and partnerships providing architectural services, investigate complaints, and discipline practitioners. It traces its origins to the first statutory registration of professional architects in June 1923 and celebrated its centenary in 2023. Governance is provided by a 10-member Board appointed by the Governor in Council, with a small executive team of approximately 15 staff led by CEO/Registrar Dr Glenice Fox.

The ARBV's core digital product is the ARBV Portal (portal.arbv.vic.gov.au), an online self-service platform supporting registration applications, renewals, complaints, and a public Register of Architects search function. Supporting products include the Architectural Practice Examination, free CPD webinars, the Architects Disciplinary Register, the ARBV Update quarterly newsletter, and a series of research publications addressing systemic risk and compliance culture. The technology stack comprises a CRM system deployed in May 2021, an integrated website aligned with the Victorian Government Single Digital Presence platform, an electronic document and records management system, and third-party integrations with Windcave (payments), Campaign Monitor (email), and Survey Monkey (stakeholder surveys).

The ARBV is a non-profit government entity that does not disclose revenue figures publicly. Its income is derived from statutory fees prescribed under the Architects Regulations — primarily recurring annual registration fees for individuals, companies, and partnerships — supplemented by minor one-time Freedom of Information application fees (A$34.50). It operates exclusively within Victoria and facilitates the Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme for interstate architects. The customer base is the long-tail of registered architects and approved firms in the state, with no enterprise anchor customers or paid marketing channels.

Name

architects registration board of victoria

Legal name

Architects Registration Board of Victoria

Website

https://arbv.vic.gov.au

Company type

Public

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) is a Victorian statutory authority that exclusively registers architects, approves companies and partnerships, and disciplines practitioners under the Architects Act 1991, serving Victoria's architectural profession and the consumers who engage them.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Regulatory Services

NAICS

Building Inspection Services (54135)

akta.pro primary industry

Building Codes, Permitting & Inspections (Building Safety) (BPAIANAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA), Architecture, Planning & Surveying (AIA, Planning, Land Surveyor CE) (EDAAALAG)

Keywords

• Architect registration services
• Professional regulatory authority
• Complaints investigation services
• Continuing professional development
• Statutory board services

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Registration and Approval Fees: Revenue generated from annual registration fees for individual architects, company approvals, and partnership approvals as prescribed by the Architects Act 1991 and Architects Regulations. These fees fund the regulatory operations of the Board.
2. Freedom of Information Application Fees: Statutory application fee of $34.50 for FOI requests, plus potential administrative fees for processing information requests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Architects Registration Board of Victoria regulates the architectural profession in Victoria under the Architects Act 1991 by registering individual architects, approving architectural companies and partnerships, investigating complaints and disciplining practitioners, administering the Architects Tribunal process, maintaining the public Register of Architects and Architects Disciplinary Register, delivering the Architectural Practice Examination (APE), and providing free continuing professional development (CPD) webinars. Its online ARBV Portal supports registration applications, renewals, complaints, and public enquiries, while its website provides a searchable register for consumers verifying practitioner status.

Product overview

The ARBV operates as a regulatory body offering a unified portal-based service for architect registration, compliance, and public protection in Victoria. The core product is the ARBV Portal (portal.arbv.vic.gov.au) which provides access to registration applications, complaint submission, and public search functions. Supporting services include the Register of Architects, Architects Disciplinary Register, Architectural Practice Examination, and CPD webinars. The ARBV Update newsletter and research publications provide ongoing communication and knowledge sharing with registered architects and the public. Together, these services enable ARBV to fulfill its mandate of regulating the architectural profession, maintaining public registers, and ensuring compliance with the Architects Act 1991.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ARBV Portal Online self-service portal for architects, companies, and partnerships to apply for registration, manage renewals, submit complaints, and make public enquiries. Hosted at portal.arbv.vic.gov.au and available 24/7 for digital transactions.
• Architect Search Public-facing search function enabling users to find registered architects, approved companies, or partnerships in Victoria, and to check registration status under the Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme. For consumers and practitioners.
• Architectural Practice Examination (APE) Examination process administered by the ARBV for architects seeking registration in Victoria, with Part 3 interviews conducted by Victorian registered architect examiners. For prospective architect registrants.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Webinars Free online CPD webinars delivered by the ARBV for architects, covering communication, compliance, and professional development topics, with upcoming events and recordings of previous sessions available.
• Register of Architects Public register maintained by the ARBV containing information about registered architects and approved companies and partnerships, including names, addresses, registration dates, registration numbers, qualifications, and insurance coverage.
• Architects Disciplinary Register Public register of disciplinary actions against architects, providing transparency on professional conduct matters determined under the Architects Act 1991.
• Architects Regulations 2026 Updated regulatory framework replacing previous Architects Regulations, containing new standards for professional conduct and practice, updated continuing professional development (CPD) requirements, and revised registration requirements under the Architects Act 1991.

Quantifiable outcome

• Public access to searchable Register of Architects for verifying registration status
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Department of Transport and Planning (DTP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ARBV is an agency under the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and reports to the Minister for Planning. DTP supports the ARBV in implementing legislative reforms and regulatory modernization initiatives.
• Architects Accreditation Council of AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational body responsible for accrediting architectural programs. The ARBV works with AACA on matters relating to architectural education standards and the Architectural Practice Examination (APE).
• Victorian Building Authority (VBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-regulator in the building industry. The ARBV has an Information Sharing Agreement (ISA) with VBA for regulatory cooperation and data sharing.
• Other Australian Architect Registration BoardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Registrars Forum comprising regulators of architects in other Australian jurisdictions. Hosted quarterly by ARBV to coordinate regulatory approaches.
• Architects TribunalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent tribunal that conducts inquiries into architect fitness to practise and professional conduct. ARBV provides administrative assistance to the Tribunal and enforces Tribunal determinations.
• Office of the Victorian Information CommissionerminorOthersOversight body for freedom of information matters. ARBV refers FOI decision reviews to OVIC and complies with Victorian privacy legislation under OVIC's jurisdiction.
• Victorian OmbudsmanminorOthersExternal review body for complaints about ARBV's handling of matters. Citizens can approach the Ombudsman if not satisfied with ARBV's response.
• Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-regulator in the building and fire safety space. ARBV is exploring information sharing arrangements with FRV.
• Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC)minorOthersAnti-corruption oversight body. ARBV refers public interest disclosures and corruption allegations to IBAC for investigation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Architects Registration Board (United Kingdom): UK statutory regulator responsible for the Register of Architects and competence standards. Directly comparable as a national jurisdiction architect registration board operating under statutory authority with similar registration, complaints and disciplinary functions.
• National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB): US-based organization that maintains the Architectural Registration Examination and coordinates multi-jurisdiction licensure for architects. Directly comparable as the largest English-language architect registration coordinating body with overlapping registration, examination and reciprocity functions.
• Architects Board of Queensland: Queensland's state-level architect registration authority. Directly comparable as another Australian state participant in the National Registrars Forum performing parallel architect registration and professional conduct regulation under Queensland legislation.
• Architects Accreditation Council of Australia: National body responsible for accrediting Australian architectural programs and administering the Architectural Practice Examination. Directly comparable because it shares architectural regulatory responsibilities with ARBV, particularly around competency assessment and APE pathways.
• Architects Registration Board of NSW (Architects NSW): State-level architect registration body for New South Wales and co-participant with ARBV in the National Registrars Forum. Directly comparable as an Australian state peer performing the same registration, complaints and disciplinary functions under different state legislation.
• Architects Board of Western Australia: Western Australia's statutory architect registration body. Directly comparable as another National Registrars Forum member performing architect registration, competency assessment and disciplinary functions under WA legislation.

Broad incumbents

• Victorian Building Authority: Victoria's broader building industry regulator covering builders, plumbers and electricians. Comparable as a co-regulator under an existing Information Sharing Agreement with ARBV, and a potential consolidation vector for architectural oversight in the ongoing building regulation reform.

Others

• Australian Institute of Architects: National peak professional body (not regulator) representing Australian architects. Comparable as a thematically related industry participant that ARBV regularly engages with on CPD, advocacy and professional standards, but distinct because it is a member association rather than a statutory authority.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Contact%20the%20ARBV&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arbv.vic.gov.au%2Fcontact-arbv
• Facebookfacebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arbv.vic.gov.au%2Fcontact-arbv&title=Contact%20the%20ARBV
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/architects-registration-board-of-victoria

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about architects registration board of victoria