AEC Labs
Certification Standards
The Australian benchmark for offshore AEC talent. AEC Labs defines and maintains the competency framework, assessment criteria, and quality standards that govern every certificate issued under the AEC Labs mark.
AEC Labs Certification Standard v1.0
This document defines the requirements for AEC Labs certification. Compliance with this standard is mandatory for all assessments conducted under the AEC Labs mark.
- Document ID
- AECL-STD-2026-001
- Effective Date
- 1 January 2026
- Version
- 1.0 Current
- Review Cycle
- Annual (January)
Next review: January 2027 - Alignment: Industry Standards
- Accreditation Pathway
- ISO/IEC 17024
International standard for Personnel Certification Bodies - Oversight
- Standards Review Committee
Subject matter experts: Architecture, Engineering, Construction - Jurisdiction
- Australia (all states & territories)
ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation Pathway
AEC Labs is structured in alignment with ISO/IEC 17024, the international standard for bodies operating certification of persons. This means our examination design, governance, appeals process, and recertification cycles meet the requirements expected of internationally recognised personnel certification bodies. AEC Labs is pursuing formal accreditation as the certification programme matures.
Three defined levels of certification.
Each level maps to a specific scope of work and seniority. Certification is level-specific: a candidate holds a credential at the level they have been assessed against, not a generic credential.
Foundation Certificate
Entry-level offshore technicians who produce documentation under supervision of an Australian project lead. Demonstrates baseline competency with Australian drawing conventions, NCC overview, and core BIM tools to Australian templates.
- Revit and AutoCAD to Australian office standards
- AS 1100 drawing convention compliance
- Basic NCC 2022 overview and application
- Foundation documentation workflows
- 14 weeks study, 70% pass mark
- Open entry, no prerequisites
Professional Certificate
Experienced practitioners capable of contributing independently to Australian projects. Covers BIM coordination, cross-discipline documentation, full standards compliance, and project delivery within Australian regulatory frameworks.
- BIM coordination and clash detection
- Full NCC 2022 compliance and documentation
- Rawlinsons and Cordell cost referencing
- Cross-discipline coordination workflows
- 20 weeks study, 75% pass mark
- Prerequisite: Foundation Certificate or RPL
Advanced Certificate
Senior specialists providing technical leadership, mentoring junior staff, and managing integration across disciplines. Advanced holders are equipped to function as offshore technical leads on complex Australian projects.
- Technical leadership and QA oversight
- Mentoring and knowledge transfer capability
- Cross-discipline integration management
- Advanced BIM management and standards authoring
- 24 weeks study, 80% pass mark
- Prerequisite: Professional Certificate
Four domains. Every assessment covers all four.
The AEC Labs Competency Framework defines what certified professionals must be able to demonstrate. Every level-specific examination assesses performance across all four competency domains.
Domain 1: Technical Skills
Hands-on capability with the tools, software, and workflows required to produce deliverables to Australian practice standards.
Domain 2: Standards Knowledge
Understanding and correct application of the Australian codes, standards, and references that govern AEC project delivery.
Domain 3: Collaboration
Effective integration into Australian project teams, covering communication norms, handoff protocols, and coordination across time zones and disciplines.
Domain 4: Quality Assurance
Self-checking, review readiness, and QA consciousness in documentation, knowing what to verify before issuing any deliverable.
Three-stage assessment. No shortcuts.
Certification requires passing all three assessment components. Passing one does not compensate for failing another. All assessments must be attempted within 90 days of enrolment.
Portfolio Review
Candidates submit a curated portfolio of work produced to Australian standards, drawn from training exercises or prior professional experience. Reviewed by two independent subject matter experts. Minimum score: 65%. Portfolio must demonstrate all four competency domains.
Online Examination
Timed online exam covering standards knowledge, code interpretation, and scenario-based decision making. Questions are drawn from a rotating bank aligned to the current version of NCC, AS 1100, and Rawlinsons. Pass mark varies by level: Foundation 70% / Professional 75% / Advanced 80%. Supervised and time-limited.
Practical Assessment
A live or recorded practical task completed under supervised conditions, typically 2–3 hours in length. Candidates receive a project brief and must produce a defined set of deliverables to the standard required at their certification level. Assessed by an AEC Labs assessor using a standardised marking rubric.
Certificates are time-limited. Standards evolve.
AEC Labs certificates carry a three-year validity period. Holders must recertify to maintain their standing in the AEC Labs registry and retain the right to use the AEC Labs certified mark.
All certificates expire three years from date of issue. Recertification must be initiated within the 12-month window before expiry.
Certified holders must log a minimum of 60 Continuing Professional Development hours across the three-year cycle, verified against AEC Labs CPD categories.
In addition to CPD, recertification requires completion of a refresher practical assessment benchmarked to the current version of this standard.
Independent oversight. Defined accountability.
The integrity of the AEC Labs standard depends on governance structures that are independent from commercial interests and responsive to industry change.
Standards Review Committee
An independent panel of subject matter experts responsible for reviewing, updating, and approving changes to this standard. Membership spans all three AEC disciplines.
- Minimum five members at all times
- At least one practitioner per discipline (Architecture, Engineering, Construction)
- Members serve two-year renewable terms
- No majority from any single employing organisation
- Conflict of interest declarations required annually
Annual Review Cycle
This standard undergoes a formal structured review every January. Changes may also be triggered between scheduled reviews by significant regulatory changes (e.g., NCC updates).
- Review initiated: January each year
- Stakeholder consultation window: 6 weeks
- Committee deliberation: 4 weeks
- Approved changes published with minimum 3-month notice
- Version history maintained publicly
Stakeholder Consultation
Proposed changes are open for comment from certified holders, partner firms, and registered training organisations during the consultation window each year.
- Consultation submissions accepted via contact form
- All submissions acknowledged and logged
- Material submissions reviewed by Committee
- Summary of submissions published with final decision
Appeals & Complaints
Candidates who believe an assessment outcome is incorrect may lodge a formal appeal. Complaints about the conduct of any assessment or governance process are handled under a separate procedure.
- Appeals lodged within 28 days of result
- Independent reviewer appointed (not original assessor)
- Decision issued within 30 business days
- Further escalation pathway available
- Complaints procedure published separately
AEC Labs Certification Standard v1.0
Download the full standard document for reference, internal review, or firm procurement processes. This is the document referenced on every AEC Labs certificate issued from 1 January 2026.