Continuing professional development (CPD)

Institute members are required by the Code of Professional Conduct to provide professional services conscientiously and competently and are encouraged to improve their professional knowledge and competence through participation in CPD activities.

In New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland, or if you are an A+ member of the Institute, it is compulsory to complete CPD annually. The CPD year ends on 31 March for Queensland and Tasmania, and 30 June for NSW and Western Australia. A+ CPD requirements are in line with state requirements. Check with your local registration board for your relevant CPD requirements.

Institute CPD activities

Institute CPD events address all aspects of architectural practice.
Whatever your CPD need or location, there's an Institute CPD activity to suit you.

Delivered across Australia from capital cities to regional areas.
Go to National Seminar Series page.

Discover what CPD is happening in your state or territory.
Find links to state CPD events under Quick links.

Our extensive range of online courses can earn you CPD
points without leaving your desk. Missed a National Seminar
Series? View it as a Continuum course!

PALS is a 15 module online course combined with face to face
tutorials for people preparing for the registration examination.

If you are a provider of CPD activities and would like Institute approval
to promote to our members, visit the Refuel CPD Provider Network page.

About CPD

CPD activities have defined learning outcomes and are linked to one or more of the four Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) National Competency Standards in Architecture. The four units of competency are Design, Documentation, Project Delivery and Practice Management.

Visit the AACA website for the National Competency Standards in Architecture.

'Formal' CPD activities either include formal assessment or have what is defined as 'significant interaction' between presenter and participant. All formal CPD is self-assessed and should be kept as part of your records. 'Informal' CPD involves no formal assessment or significant interaction between presenter and participant.

Voluntary activities can also count towards CPD.These are currently under review.

Institute CPD policy

• download the Australian Institute of Architect’s CPD Quick Guide
• download the Institute's CPD Policy

A Joint CPD/CE Policy with the AACA was agreed and endorsed by National Council in March 2005 and was revised in 2007. Download the revised AACA and Australian Institute of Architects Joint CPD Policy.

CPD points

CPD points are allocated on the basis of one point for every hour of involvement for both formal and informal activities. The accepted minimum commitment from registered practicing architects is 20 points per annum (at least 10 formal) in a minimum of two competency units.

In some cases, limits have been applied to the number of points that can be allocated to a single activity. While these tend to apply to less structured-generally informal-activities such as reading or attending meetings, some formal CPD activities also have limits. Check with your local registration board for details.

Points can only be allocated to the educational components of an event: refreshment breaks, registration, drinks/networking sessions and the like, do not accrue points.

Recording CPD activities

Architects are required to manage their own CPD records. They are required to maintain records relating to each CPD activity for a period of five years.

• download a sample CPD record