For further information please download a copy of the Refuel CPD Provider Network Provider Handbook. Or to request your copy in the mail please contact Knowledge Services.
Welcome to the Australian Institute of Architects Refuel CPD Provider Network.
Become a Refuel Continuing Professional Development Provider
In a profession where technology, best practices and regulations change constantly, architects need to undertake continuing professional development.
To support this need and provide access for members to a sufficient volume and diversity of CPD, the Australian Institute of Architects has created the Refuel CPD Provider Network. Network members may include universities and TAFE colleges, government agencies, training companies, solicitors, advisory organisations, technology companies, international experts, trade associations and, of course, construction and design product manufacturers and suppliers.
As the peak professional body for the architectural profession, and the voice of Australian architecture, we are able to use our experience to assist you to develop your material to best suit an architectural audience.
The Refuel program enables Providers to have face to face contact with architects and educate them on innovative design solutions utilising new products and materials, and any new regulations affecting the design process.
The Provider Network offers a unique avenue to communicate with architects, but is not a marketing program. While it is not realistic to expect manufacturers and products to be invisible, the focus of the CPD activities is to provide education to the profession.
Institute members use the Provider Network programs for in-house CPD, to obtain new specialisation or qualifications and to undertake research for current projects.
Your CPD material will be rigorously assessed by CPD assessors who are Institute members and architects. This process ensures a very high educational standard and desirable CPD. It also ensures that each CPD program meets the Institute CPD Policy.
Benefits of the Provider Network
Having an event or activity recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects gives architects confidence that activities provide suitable CPD within the Institute policy.
A provider has permission to use the Institute’s Refuel CPD Provider Network brand mark and associated CPD points badge on marketing materials.
Providers benefit from direct marketing to our 9,500 members giving more exposure to a broader network of people.
Providers’ CPD activities are promoted in regular chapter e-alerts and listed in the CPD section on architecture.com.au
Refuel
Refuel is the Australian Institute of Architects brand for continuing professional development. Refuel was launched in 2005 and the Refuel National Seminar Series is recognised nationally by members of the Institute as providing quality CPD.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
CPD is accepted across a wide range of professions as the primary means of developing and maintaining professional standards of competency.
Architects are encouraged to develop a personal CPD plan that addresses the maintenance, development and enhancement of their own professional knowledge and skills. CPD activities selected should relate to practice as an architect and be in addition to activities already undertaken in the normal course of the architect’s practice or employment. Activities in each year should relate to a minimum of two units in the National Competency Standards in Architecture.
The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) is responsible for maintaining the National Competency Standards in Architecture (NCSA) on behalf of the profession. The NCSA is the document setting out the benchmark standards of competency against which an applicant for registration as an architect in Australia and New Zealand is measured.
The Case for Nationally Uniform and Compulsory CPD
The Australian Institute of Architects and the AACA agree that there is undeniable benefit to the consumers and practitioners of architecture in Australia if all registered practising architects undertake CPD. To maintain national consistency these activities must be defined and accredited in a uniform manner throughout all the states and territories in Australia in accordance with the current tenet of mutual recognition of architects’ registration.
The Institute and AACA agree that to achieve uniform national consistency CPD must be a compulsory requirement for continued registration as a practising architect. Currently the NSW Architects Registration Board and the Building Act of Tasmania require registered architects practising in NSW, and those registered under the Building Act in Tasmania, to undertake CPD. The Architects Board of Western Australia CPD Framework notes that ‘…participating in a continuing professional development (CPD) program is one way architects can ensure their knowledge, skills and competencies are current.’ The Architects Registration Board of Victoria also plan to commence compulsory CPD.
National Competency Standards in Architecture
The NCSA recognises four major areas, or Units of Competency, in the competence of an architect:
Unit 1 Design
Unit 2 Documentation
Unit 3 Project Management
Unit 4 Practice Management
We recommend that you read the National Competency Standards in Architecture. The NCSA can be found under publications at www.aaca.org.au
A+ Membership
A+ membership is a level of Institute membership designed to actively promote the profession by creating premium quality practices under the A+ brand mark.
An A+ practice agrees to certain obligations including mandatory CPD for each individual professional member within the practice. All individual members in an A+ practice will need to provide the Institute with a declaration of CPD compliance at the end of each year.
Acceptable CPD Activities
Activities which meet the requirements of the framework for CPD outlined in the AACA/RAIA Joint Policy on Continuing Professional Development provide suitable CPD for architects.
An acceptable CPD activity must be at least one hour in length. One hour of content is equal to one CPD point. Points can only be allocated to the educational components of an event: refreshment breaks, registration, drinks/networking sessions etc do not accrue points. If an activity is longer than one hour, points can only be allocated in 0.5 CPD point (half hour) increments.
The Australian Institute of Architects recognises and allocates points to activities in alignment with the requirements of its own CPD Policy and policies/guidelines of registration bodies.
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Categories of the Provider Network
Category 1 - Full CPD Provider Network Member
$5,000 + GST per annum
Annual recognition for the CPD Network Provider to provide multiple programs (Maximum of eight programs per year) delivered during multiple sessions (unlimited) nationally. Each program is to be submitted to the Institute for approval prior to delivery.
Category 2 - Conference CPD Provider Network Member
$2,500 + GST
Recognition for the CPD Network Provider to provide multiple sessions delivered during a conference style event.
Category 3 - Multiple Activity CPD Provider Network Member
$1,500 + GST per annum
Annual recognition for the CPD Network Provider to provide a single program delivered during multiple sessions (unlimited) nationally.
Category 4 - Single Activity CPD Provider Network Member
$750 + GST
Annual recognition for the CPD Network Provider to provide a single program delivered during one session only.
Formal and Informal CPD
A CPD activity may comprise either Formal or Informal CPD.
Formal CPD is a learning activity with stated learning outcomes that is formally assessed or has significant interaction between presenter and learner. A Formal CPD program may be a minimum of 40 minutes in length allowing for a minimum of 20 minutes to complete a formal activity task or Q&A session.
Informal CPD is a learning activity with stated learning outcomes that involves no formal assessment process or significant interaction between presenter and learner.
Amount of CPD
Members of the Australian Institute of Architects are recommended to complete 20 hours of CPD per annum, of which a minimum of 10 hours must be formal CPD.
Architects are required to manage their own CPD records and can create their own management system. The Institute also provides a sample CPD record form to assist members, available for download here.
Developing a CPD Activity
Key requirements of the framework are that an activity:
- relates to the practice of architecture but is not an activity undertaken in the normal course of practice
- has stated learning outcomes/objectives, demonstrating that the primary purpose of the activity is educational
- relates to at least one of the National Competency Standards for Architecture: Design, Documentation, Project Management, Practice Management.
CPD activities can be delivered in a variety of ways. The following list includes types of CPD in which members of the Institute regularly participate:
- Seminars
- Workshops
- National Conferences
- Online CPD programs
- Short Courses
- Design Reviews
- In-office Training Programs
- University Education
- Vocational Education
- Technical Presentations
- Lecturing and Tutoring
- Study Tours
- Case Study Site Visits
Presenters may briefly introduce their company or their company’s products and services prior to a CPD activity (maximum 2 slides) or at the end of a CPD activity (maximum 4 slides). Brochures and samples should only be distributed after the CPD activity is complete. If brochures and samples are distributed during the activity, they must serve to reinforce the learning outcomes.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes are defined results a participant should be able to produce from attending the CPD activity. They are based on measurable goals or outcomes.
Example:
Participants completing this activity will be able to:
- design details to prevent water entry through roofs and parapets
- design details to prevent water entry through walls, windows and cladding
- describe the drainage system required to prevent water entry into basements.
Writing learning outcomes for a CPD program is where the development of educational content begins. Once the desired learning outcomes are established, you can successfully develop a meaningful and memorable educational experience.
CPD Provider Network Application Form
An online application form must be completed and submitted to the Institute for each unique CPD activity that a provider proposes, along with any supporting materials relevant to the delivery and marketing of the CPD activity.
All complete applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please allow between 2-4 weeks for assessment of each new program. Significant changes to an approved program require the program to be re-assessed prior to being advertised and conducted. To view the Process of Application flow diagram click here.
Memorandum of Understanding
A completed and signed Memorandum of Understanding must also accompany the application form submission for your first CPD activity.
Please download a copy, print, sign and mail this document to:
Manager of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Australian Institute of Architects
Level 2, 41 Exhibition Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Approved Activities
As an approved Refuel CPD Provider, your programs are ‘recognised’ for the purpose of the Institute’s CPD Policy and as being within the framework of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA)/RAIA Joint Policy on Continuing Professional Development.
Approval as a Refuel CPD Provider does not mean your programs are considered ‘accredited’ or ‘certified’, but makes you an ‘approved’ CPD Provider. The Institute does not necessarily ‘endorse’ the content of CPD providers’ programs and does not take any responsibility for breaches in copyright by CPD providers or their presenters.
Participant Evaluation and Feedback
A sample evaluation form is supplied to CPD providers for participant feedback. CPD providers are able to adjust the questions to suit each particular program. Results from participant feedback must be collated and retained by the CPD provider with activity records.
CPD Provider Audits
Records must be maintained for a period of five years after delivery of a CPD activity. The Institute may randomly request a copy of or access to CPD activity records for the purposes of auditing an event or CPD provider. The Institute may also request contact details of up to five attendees of each activity for the purpose of a quality control audit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is CPD?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Architects is any activity that enhances the professional knowledge and personal skills needed for the advancement of architecture, society and the environment.
Key requirements of CPD for Architects are that an activity:
- relates to the practice of architecture but is not an activity undertaken in the normal course of practice
- has stated learning outcomes/objectives, demonstrating that the primary purpose of the activity is educational
- relates to at least one of the National Competency Standards for Architecture: Design, Documentation, Project Management, Practice Management.
2. What are the competency standards?
The National Competency Standards in Architecture (NCSA) is a document published by The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) setting out the benchmark standards of competency for registration as an Architect in Australia and New Zealand.
The NCSA can be found under publications at www.aaca.org.au
3. Is CPD compulsory for Architects?
CPD is compulsory or soon to become compulsory for Architects in most states in Australia. CPD is also compulsory for A+ members of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Architects are advised to do CPD to continually develop their professional skills and knowledge within the industry. Participating in CPD may advance an Architect’s career and prolong their future in the profession.
4. Should providers maintain records of attendance?
Architects are required to manage their own CPD records. The Institute provides a sample CPD record form for members, available for download here. However, CPD providers must also maintain records of attendance for each CPD activity.
5. How long should a CPD provider maintain records
You must maintain records relating to each CPD activity for a period of five years.
6. Are CPD points recognised Australia-wide?
Yes. The Institute allocates points to activities in alignment with the requirements of its own policy and policies/guidelines of other registration bodies.
7. Are providers allowed to use the Australian Institute of Architects corporate logo?
No. All Refuel CPD Provider Network members are supplied with Refuel CPD Provider Network logos and CPD points badges for use on marketing materials. Marketing materials must accurately advertise the program length, CPD points available, learning objectives and any costs associated with the program.
8. How are points allocated?
Points are allocated on the basis of one (1) point for every hour of involvement for both formal and informal activities.
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.
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.
9. What is Refuel?
Refuel is the Australian Institute of Architects brand for continuing professional development. Refuel was launched in 2005 and is recognised nationally by members of the Institute as providing quality CPD.
10. What is Formal and Informal CPD?
CPD activities are defined as formal or informal. Formal activities require some form of assessment or evidence of significant interaction between the presenter and attendee as part of the activity.
11. Is assessment compulsory?
No. Most commonly a CPD activity that does not include assessment or significant interaction between the presenter and attendee will attain informal CPD points.
12. Can I provide online CPD?
Yes. CPD can be delivered in a number of ways. For example the Institute delivers both face-to-face programs in chapter offices and online CPD via continuum.com.au
13. How are CPD Providers’ activities promoted?
Promotion of activities within the Australian Institute of Architects Refuel CPD Provider Network is coordinated nationally through Knowledge Services. Recognised activities will be listed on the Australian Institute of Architects website, architecture.com.au. Knowledge Services will liaise with relevant Chapters to include recognised programs in local promotions.
14. How do I join the Refuel CPD Provider Network?
Once you have read all the information and understand the AACA/Institute joint policy on CPD as well as the Memorandum of Understanding, you may submit the application form for the Refuel CPD Provider Network.
If you have any further questions regarding the form please don’t hesitate to ask. Telephone Knowledge Services at the Institute on 03 8620 3877 or email knowledge@raia.com.au
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