Assessment
Each application is treated on a case by case basis depending on the mix of qualifications, seniority of the applicant, experience, level of expertise, as well the level of sponsorship and support from AILA Registered Members. For applicants seeking AILA recognition of equivalence, the assessors will be looking for evidence that the applicant is viewed by other Registered Members as having professional practice that is equivalent to that of a Registered Landscape Architect. The assessment process also requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge of the AILA as a Professional Body and an understanding of the responsibilities of AILA Registered Members.
Body of Evidence
Senior applicants are required to submit a CV with enough details to provide evidence of practice in Landscape Architecture. Applicants seeking equivalence must provide the detailed CV but also provide ample evidence of their project work as a landscape architect. The onus remains with the applicant to ensure that the body of evidence is sufficient to provide a clear overview of the applicant’s levels of expertise and experience in Landscape Architecture. This evidence should provide clarity on the role of the applicant in each project.
Letters of Support
The application must be accompanied with letters of support from Registered Landscape Architects. For standard senior entry applications and those with full membership of an overseas institute, this should be two support letters. In the case of the Equivalence Entry, there should be at least three, with at least two being from Registered Landscape Architects.
Interview
Once the application and the submitted evidence has been assessed to be satisfactory, an assessment interview will be required. The interview will be conducted by a panel of AILA Registered members. The interview may cover the following:
Knowledge of AILA as a Professional Body – including:
- The legal status of AILA under Corporations Law including memorandum of Association.
- The structure of the Institute and key objectives.
Responsibilities as an AILA Registered Member – including:
- Professional responsibilities to the community, the Institute and other AILA members.
- The Code of Professional Conduct.
- A commitment to a personal CPD (Continuing Professional Development) program. An anticipated contribution to the profession and membership.
The AILA Membership handbook is the primary source of information for many of the above criteria.
Other key references include the AILA Constitution, AILA Governance Manual, Australian Landscape Charter and AILA National Policies.
They can all be found here.
Registered Landscape Architects are also a good source of information regarding the AILA and those who provide letters of support to senior applicants are strongly encouraged to take a mentorship role during the application and interview process.
The assessment interview is a structured conversation between the applicant and panel to ensure the applicant has the opportunity to clearly speak to their required professional qualifications, experience and knowledge of the AILA and to articulate what and how the applicant hopes to contribute to the AILA.
The points above are used by the interview panel to structure the session and are a good guide to fundamental issues that the applicant will be required to discuss.