Discussion paper: National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners

Permitting Level 2 building designers to design all buildings apart from type A construction will not give the required protection the public require. This is continuing the current status quo to a large extent.
Allowing Level 3 building designers to design buildings up to 2000m2 is a big mistake and simply repeats what is happening now. Conservatively 90% of the buildings in the Northern Rivers NSW area are less than 2000m2. Allowing Level 3 designers to design most of the buildings in our area will repeat many of the problems the building owners currently face.
In my opinion there is little to be gained by allowing Level 2 and 3 designers the latitude permitted under the proposed National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners.
After all is said and done the mistakes will continue until the majority of buildings involve registered architects in all stages of building procurement from design, documentation, to contract administration. Contract administration is the new missing link which was once consistently provided by architects.
Registered architects are the only building design professionals with the extent of training to provide adequate building procurement for owners and the public.

Largely the status quo will be maintained by the changes permitting Level 2 and 3 designers to design the majority of Australia's building.

As demonstrated by the recent excellent initiative of the NSW Government Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code NOT being taken up by many NSW Councils in the zonings proposed clearly demonstrates the Councils and States unwillingness to bring about better changes to legislation.
If better changes are proposed the government should be clear and ensure they are adopted nationally.
Designing in different states already has many challenges of amendments on a state by state level to the NCC.
Having a national policy would create consistency and a more legal simplicity for design.

Largely the status quo will be maintained by the changes permitting Level 2 and 3 designers to design the majority of Australia's building.
Defects and ongoing problems will continue until acknowledgement of architects as the best trained designers for Australian buildings. Architects are required for most building design in many countries around the world.
Level 2 and level 3 building designers are of great use to the building industry but their rightful employment position, was once, and is under the direction of a registered architect.

Level 1 building designers should be required on all buildings over a nominated size of approximately 400m2.
2000m2 for Level 3 is too big and would permitted partially trained designers to design 20+ housing units, large commercial and industrial buildings.
This is so that the majority of our buildings are properly designed, resources used effectively, and defects minimised.
A building may last for 50+ years and needs careful consideration for use by owners and the public.
So many buildings are now poorly: sited, constructed, oriented, but with more thought by properly trained professional architects the same site and materials could be better utilised and the resources given a longer life.

Level 1 building designers for all buildings over 400m2.
Below 400m2 Level 2 designers could design buildings. This size would permit approximately 4 housing units or a small commercial building to be designed by Level 2.
Level 3 should work for either level 1 or 2 designers so their work is directed by properly trained professionals.
Greater compliance with the NCC and less defects for owners would be clearly evident by these changes.

Level 1 designers should be required on all buildings above 400m2.

Level 1-3 designers qualifications as noted in the National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners Discussion paper is good in my opinion.

Level 1-3 designers experience requirements as noted in the National Registration Framework for Building Practitioners Discussion paper is good in my opinion.

The quality of a building begins and ends with the architect, from design concept to the end of the defects liability period.
This approach if reinstated would return buildings to the quality of construction provided up until 10-15 years ago when developers and owners no longer used architects.
Saving costs on designs has been clearly shown to create major costs once building has started.
As an example many advertisements for apartments now advertise they are older style to attract buyers who are wary of the quality of newer buildings. These older apartments were usually procured by a full architect service.