Sydney, Australia –The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia has welcomed the signing of the free trade agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom on 17 December 2021.

AACA CEO Kathlyn Loseby said a deepening of the ties with one of Australia’s closest allies and trading partners is one of mutual benefit and paves the way for a range of further measures that will capitalise on the benefits for professionals in both nations.

“We congratulate both the Australian and UK governments on signing this important agreement and thank DFAT for the inclusive and constructive role they have facilitated for us as part of this process,” said Ms Loseby.

“In addition to the substantial benefits trade liberalisation will deliver for both producers and consumers, the FTA also opens up critical opportunities for a range of professionals, including architects. Under the terms of the FTA, professionals will benefit from provisions to support mutual recognition of qualifications and greater certainty for skilled professionals entering each of our respective labour markets. “This arrangement enhances the global exchange of skills, expertise, collaboration and employment opportunities – something we have not had with the UK for decades. The AACA, with DFAT’s authorisation, 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,” she added.

The MRA 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.’

Instigated under the leadership of former AACA CEO Kate Doyle, the MRA is the culmination of years of engagement work with the New Zealand and United Kingdom Architects Registration Boards.

“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,” said Ms Loseby.

The MRA is due to be concluded mid 2022.