Interior Designers threatened with fines for breaching legislation
DIA members have reported that State Architect Registration Boards are clamping down on the use of the term ‘architect’, ‘architecture’ and ‘architectural’.
Members have contacted DIA after having received letters from their State Architect Registration Boards which in some cases go back through five years’ worth of content identifying potential offences against that States Architects Act.
In a letter forwarded to DIA, one member was asked to.
“….desist immediately from offering to provide architectural services; and from use of the titles and words "architect" and "architectural" and/or any other abbreviation or derivative thereof, including by inference, either in advertisements or articles in any newspapers or magazines, on websites, in directories and listings, or in any other manner whatsoever in connection with their names or associated businesses.”
It goes on to seek assurances.
“…that 'all' terms and representations relating to them which may offend against the Act have been removed within 28 days from the public domain, including websites, profiles (such as LinkedIn), business marketing and communication materials and any other sources; and that they do not offer or provide architectural services unless those services are provided by an architect registered under the Act and notified to the Registration Board.”
In August 2022, the Architect’s Registration Boards published a Summary of Australian State and Territory Legislation titled ‘Regulation of the Architectural Profession.’ Section 12 p31 Protection of the Title ‘Architect’ will be of assistance in interpreting provisions. Please familiarise yourself with this summary before you start the checking process.
Also, to note is that each State has a different set of provisions and DIA are advising members to check their promotional material including websites and social media platforms to ensure they comply. A quick scan of some of our member websites indicate that there are interior designers in breach of the regulation.