Submissions
Every formal submission the UAW lodges on behalf of members: to government, registration boards, the Fair Work Commission, and professional bodies. Advocacy works best when it is documented in public, so members, journalists, and allies can see what we are arguing for and hold the bodies we submit to accountable for how they respond.
Published submissions
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Submission on the Architects Regulations 2015 Sunset Review
The Architects Regulations 2025 present an opportunity to strengthen consumer protection while supporting the practitioners who deliver architectural services. The evidence from Australian research is unambiguous: 86 percent of architects report negative wellbeing impacts from workload demands More than one-third work more than 45 hours per week, and almost 10 percent work more than 55 hours 50 percent of architects audited failed CPD compliance in 2024 Practices continue to pay below Award minimums despite this being unlawful Women with caring responsibilities face systematic disadvantage The ARBV itself identifies “commercial pressures” as a root cause of non-compliance CPD is required to be “in addition to” normal practice activities, yet employers routinely fail to provide time or resources These problems are interconnected consequences of a regulatory framework that mandates individual compliance while ignoring the organisational conditions that determine whether compliance is possible. The Association of Consulting Architects has acknowledged that despite the Architects Award specifying minimum pay and conditions, the profession still experiences “unpaid overtime, unrealistic expectations and pressures to meet impossible deadlines.” This acknowledgment from an industry body representing employers demonstrates that the problem is recognised across the profession. Addressing this structural gap through clearer director responsibilities, recognition of CPD as mandatory training, pro-rata requirements for part-time practitioners, strengthened hardship provisions, and procedural fairness protections will improve compliance outcomes while supporting the equity and accessibility of the regulatory framework. Without these amendments, the Regulations will intensify individual obligations while leaving the structural barriers to compliance unaddressed. This will not improve professional standards. It will punish architects for circumstances substantially beyond their control, drive competent practitioners from the profession, and ultimately fail the consumer protection objective. Professionals Australia commends this submission to the Department and welcomes the opportunity for further engagement.