Roles and responsibilities

Architects produce plans and specifications for building projects. They can assist in building or planning permit applications and work with builders, engineers and other professionals to ensure the work meets legal or contractual requirements. Architects understand building materials, methods, standards and costs and can prepare and manage building contracts. While architects may do similar work to draftspeople and building designers, they must complete a higher level of education and training.

To protect the public, architects must conduct themselves in a professional manner and comply with a range of legal obligations. For example, they can't provide architectural services for a client unless they have entered into a written agreement with the client to provide those services. They must also practice in accordance with the National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA) and The Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) regulates the architectural profession in Victoria.

Draftspeople and building designers produce plans and specifications for building projects. They can assist in building or planning permit applications and work with builders, engineers and other professionals to ensure the work meets legal or contractual requirements. They understand building materials, methods, standards and costs and can manage building contracts. 

Unlicensed or unregistered draftspeople can provide drawings for building projects. They may study drafting at TAFE or have no formal training but gain experience on the job. They may work under licensed architects or building designers and can be a cost-effective option for small projects like renovations that don’t require a building permit.

Building consultants aren't a regulated class of building practitioner. This means there aren’t any registrations or licences specific to them. They may be registered or previously registered as a builder, engineer, or other practitioner, and can use their industry experience to provide expert advice. They can help to manage building projects and communicate with other practitioners such as builders, architects and engineers.

Building consultants may have specialisations such as construction, design, or energy efficiency.

Building and construction lawyers have expert knowledge in building contracts and law and can assist in complaints or disputes lodged with the building agencies or disputes with your builder. They review building contracts and provide advice about contract terms, variations, payments, defects, insurance, warranty claims and other issues arising during or after work.

Building lawyers are registered through the Victorian Legal Services Board Commissioner (VLSBC). The Law Institute Victoria offers a Find Your Lawyer Referral Service.

Conveyancers assist with the legal process of buying and selling land or property. They are responsible for preparing and managing the documents to ensure a property is legally transferred from one party to another. They review sale contracts and provide advice on contract terms and the settlement process.

Council planners assess planning applications and decide whether to approve or refuse a planning permit in line with its planning scheme. They can advise if a project requires a planning permit.

The Department of Transport and Planning oversees the planning system.

Project manager (domestic) is a building practitioner who can manage a building project. They can arrange for registered domestic builders to carry out the work but can’t act as a builder themselves. This means they can’t enter into a major domestic building contract or be listed on a building permit as the builder.

Engineers can advise on the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and can monitor building work for compliance. A registered engineer who works in the building industry is called an endorsed building engineer.

Professional engineers are registered through the Business Licensing Authority (BLA).