The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia has welcomed the announcement of an in-principle free trade agreement between Australia and United Kingdom, noting that it will pave the way for mutual recognition of qualifications between the two countries.
“This new arrangement enhances the global exchange of skills, expertise, collaboration and employment opportunities – something we have not had with the UK for decades,” said AACA CEO Kathlyn Loseby.
“The AACA, with DFAT’s authorization, is in the final stages of negotiating a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) that will ‘recognise the professional credentials of architects registered in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand’ and ‘ support their mobility by creating the opportunity to practise beyond their borders’.”
The MRA with the UK was instigated under the AACA’s former CEO Kate Doyle and will “facilitate the registration of an architect registered in the United Kingdom as an Australian architect or New Zealand architect; and the registration of an Australian architect or New Zealand architect as an architect in the United Kingdom.”
“While COVID-19 has put a halt temporarily to international travel and migration, we are forging ahead with this MRA so that when Australia’s borders re-open both our architects and our communities here will be poised to benefit from a much more straightforward skills recognition process,” Loseby said.
“Recognizing architects’ credentials globally will literally open up a whole new world of tremendous opportunities to transform the lived experience of our built environment.”
According to the OECD, Australia’s exports of professional services (which includes architectural services) was about $5.6 billion or 8 percent of Australia’s total service exports in 2016. The UK is the third largest destination market behind the United States and Singapore.
The Royal Institute of British Architects reported in a submission to the UK government that “In 2017, revenue earned by RIBA Chartered Practices from work in Australasia came to £11 million, which is 2% of the sector’s total international revenue.
“There are significant market opportunities for UK architecture in Australia if a mutual recognition agreement can be struck, enabling easier access to the market for UK architects and allowing Australian architects to work in the UK.”
Australia’s trade minister Dan Tehan said, “The FTA will improve working holiday opportunities for youth in both countries. Eligibility to participate will be raised from 30 to 35, stays allowed up to three years, and people will have more freedom to choose where they work.”
Australia has existing mutual recognition arrangements with Canada, New Zealand and the United States through the APEC Architect Project.
