CLIENT ARCHITECT AGREEMENT
Advisory Services — Consulting Architect Engagement
IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING
Under the Architects Regulations 2026 (Vic), it is recommended that you receive this agreement at least 7 business days before you are asked to sign it. If your session is scheduled sooner than 7 business days from your booking date, you may elect to review and sign this agreement before that period has expired. By confirming your booking, you acknowledged that this agreement was available to you and that you had the opportunity to review it.
Please read this agreement carefully. You may seek independent legal advice before signing. If you have any questions, contact your Consulting Architect directly using the details set out in clause 1.
This agreement is between you (the Client) and the Consulting Architect named on this page. It is generated on the Architect’s behalf by Architect GP, an online booking platform. Architect GP is not a party to this agreement and is not responsible for the architectural services provided to you.
The Services are advisory only. The Consulting Architect will not prepare technical drawings, lodge permits, administer building contracts, or act as architect of record for your project under this Agreement.
Agreement generated and copyright by Architect GP Australia (ABN 36 281 960 350) | www.architectgp.au on behalf of the Consulting Architect named above.
1. Parties to this Agreement
This Client Architect Agreement (Agreement) is made between:
The Client
Full Name
Address
Phone
The Architect
Full Name
Trading Name (if applicable)
ABN
Architect's Registration Number
Address
Phone
The Booking Platform
This Agreement is generated and administered on the Architect’s behalf by:
Company - Architect GP Australia
ABN - 36 281 960 350
Website - www.architectgp.au
Email - hello@architectgp.au
Architect GP is an online booking platform that connects clients with registered architects. Architect GP is not a party to this Agreement and does not provide the architectural services described in it. The Architect is solely responsible for the delivery of the Services. The Architect is an independent contractor with full professional responsibility.
Booking Confirmation Fee
At booking, the Client pays a non-refundable booking confirmation fee to Architect GP. This is a platform facilitation fee, not a fee for architectural services. It is non-refundable if the Client does not proceed and is refunded in full if the Architect or platform cannot deliver the service.
Platform Commission
Architect GP charges the Architect a platform service fee of between 16% and 19% of the advertised service price (inclusive of GST) in consideration for access to the Architect GP platform and its associated booking, payment, and agreement services. This fee is deducted by Architect GP from the total amount paid by the Client before the balance is remitted to the Architect. The total fee payable by the Client is as stated in clause 4 and is not increased by the platform service fee.
2. Scope of Services
2.1 Services Provided
The Architect will provide the following advisory architectural services (the Architectural Services):
Service Type
Service Description
Session Format - Zoom / In-Person / Phone
Session Duration
Scheduled Date/Time
Location (if in-person)
Additional details of the service are set out in the service description provided at www.architectgp.au at the time of booking, which forms part of this Agreement.
2.2 Nature of Advisory Services
The Services are advisory only. The Architect will provide independent design advice, analysis, review and guidance to assist the Client in making informed decisions about their building or renovation project. The Architect will NOT, under this Agreement:
• Prepare or issue technical drawings, construction documents, or specifications
• Lodge or manage development or building permit applications
• Administer a building contract or act as superintendent
• Act as architect of record or assume design authorship of the project
• Accept responsibility or liability for the work of any other designer, architect, builder, or consultant engaged on the project
• Provide structural, engineering, or other specialist technical advice
The Client acknowledges that this engagement is not a traditional full-service architectural engagement and does not replace the Client’s obligation to engage appropriately qualified professionals for technical work.
3. Personnel
The following registered architect(s) will deliver the Services:
Name
Role
Architect's Registration No.
The Architect will notify the Client in writing if there is any change to the personnel delivering the Services.
4. Fees and Payment
4.1 Fee
Architectural Service Fee (excl. GST)
GST (10%)
Total Fee (incl. GST)
Payment Method - Credit / Debit Card via Stripe
Payment Timing- Payment is collected after both parties have signed this Agreement
No additional fees or disbursements are payable unless separately agreed in writing.
4.2 Payment Conditions
No fee will be collected and no Architectural Services will be delivered until this Agreement has been signed by both the Client and the Architect. After both signatures, an invoice is issued for payment prior to the commencement of Services. Payment is processed by Architect GP via Stripe on the Architect’s behalf. The booking confirmation fee (clause 1) is separate and payable at the time of booking.
4.3 Cancellation & Rescheduling
• Cancellations made more than 48 hours before the scheduled session: full refund of the Architectural Service Fee.
• Cancellations made within 48 hours of the scheduled session: no refund, but the session may be rescheduled once at no additional charge.
• No-shows without prior notice: no refund.
4.4 Refunds on Withdrawal by Architect
If the Architect withdraws from providing the Architectural Services after payment has been received, the Architect will provide the Client with written reasons and a full refund of the Service Fee and the booking confirmation fee within 5 business days.
5. Professional Indemnity Insurance
The Architect holds professional indemnity insurance as required by the Architects Act 1991 (Vic) and Architects Regulations 2026 (Vic). Details are as follows:
Insurer
Policy Number
Cover Amount
Policy Period
A copy of the current certificate of currency is available on request.
6. Intellectual Property
6.1 Ownership
All written advice, sketches, diagrams, reports, and other outputs produced by the Architect in delivering the Architectural Services (the Outputs) are created for the Client’s personal use in connection with the project described in this Agreement.
6.2 Licence to Client
Upon payment of all fees due under this Agreement, the Architect grants the Client a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the Outputs for the purposes of the Client’s own building or renovation project, including sharing with the Client’s current or future design and delivery teams. The Outputs may not be reproduced, published, or provided to third parties for commercial purposes without the Architect’s written consent.
6.3 Architect’s Retained Rights
The Architect retains all intellectual property rights in the Outputs and in the methods, approaches, and know-how used to deliver the Services. The Architect may use de-identified project information for internal training, quality improvement, marketing and portfolio purposes.
6.4 Third-Party Material
Where the Architect provides commentary on plans, drawings, or documents created by third parties, those documents remain the intellectual property of their original authors. The Architect makes no claim to ownership of third-party material reviewed during the Services.
7. Confidentiality
The Architect will treat all information provided by the Client in connection with the Services as confidential and will not disclose it to third parties without the Client’s consent, except where required by law or professional obligations. This obligation survives termination of this Agreement.
8. Limitation of Liability
8.1 Nature of Advice
The Architectural Services constitute professional advisory opinion only. The Architect’s advice is based on information provided by the Client and on the Architect’s professional judgement at the time of the session. It does not constitute a building inspection, structural assessment, legal advice, or a guarantee of any outcome.
8.2 Reliance on Client-Provided Information
The Architect’s advice is given in reliance on the accuracy and completeness of the information, documents and instructions provided by the Client. The Architect accepts no liability for any loss arising from advice given on the basis of information that is incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading, except to the extent the Architect knew or ought reasonably to have known of the deficiency.
8.3 Client Responsibility
The Client is responsible for all decisions made in reliance on the Architect’s advice. The Architect is not responsible for the acts or omissions of any other party engaged on the Client’s project, including builders, designers, draftspeople, engineers, or other consultants.
8.4 Role of Architect GP
Architect GP is a booking platform only. The Client acknowledges that Architect GP is not responsible for any advice received from the Architect, and agrees not to make any claim against Architect GP in relation to the Services delivered under this Agreement.
8.5 Exclusion of Consequential Loss
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Architect is not liable for any indirect, consequential or special loss or damage, including loss of profit, loss of opportunity, loss of anticipated savings, increased construction or project costs, or delay-related costs, whether arising in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise.
8.6 Limitation
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Architect’s total liability to the Client under or in connection with this Agreement is limited to the total fees paid by the Client under this Agreement. Nothing in this clause 8 limits liability for death, personal injury, or fraud, or excludes or limits any rights the Client may have under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot be excluded by agreement.
9. Variations
The Services are fixed in scope. No variation to the Services or to this Agreement is effective unless agreed in writing by both parties.
10. Termination and Withdrawal
Either party may terminate this Agreement by written notice to the other. If the Client terminates after the session has been delivered, no refund is payable. If the Architect terminates before the session is delivered, the refund provisions in clause 4.4 apply. The Architect may also withdraw under provisions of their State or Territory's legislation or Code of Professional Conduct (including for conflict of interest), with written reasons. Termination does not affect accrued rights or obligations.
11. Communication
The Architect will communicate by email or phone using the details set out in this Agreement. Written deliverables will be provided within 10 business days of the session, or as otherwise agreed.
12. Dispute Resolution
If a dispute arises under this Agreement, the parties agree to first attempt to resolve it by direct negotiation in good faith. If the dispute is not resolved within 14 days, either party may refer it to mediation through a mutually agreed mediator. Nothing prevents a party from seeking urgent injunctive or other equitable relief from a court.
13. Complaints
13.1 Complaints to the Architect
If you are dissatisfied with the Services, please contact your Architect in the first instance using the contact details in clause 1. The Architect will acknowledge your complaint within 2 business days and provide a written response within 10 business days.
13.2 Complaints via Architect GP
If you are unable to resolve your complaint directly with the Architect, you may also contact Architect GP at hello@architectgp.au. While Architect GP is not a party to this Agreement and is not responsible for the Services, Architect GP will use reasonable endeavours to facilitate communication between you and the Architect.
13.3 Complaints to your State or Territory's Architect's Registration Board
If your complaint relates to the professional conduct of the Architect and is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may lodge a complaint with your State or Territory's Architect's Registration Board. In Victoria this is the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV):
Website - www.arbv.vic.gov.au
Phone - 1300 130 629
Email - enquiries@arbv.vic.gov.au
Address - GPO Box 536, Melbourne VIC 3001
The ARBV is the statutory body responsible for regulating the conduct of registered architects in Victoria under the Architects Act 1991 (Vic). For architects registered in other States or Territories, contact details for the relevant registration board are available at www.architectgp.au/registration-boards.
14. General
This Agreement is governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. The parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Victoria. It constitutes the entire agreement between the parties in respect of the Services and supersedes all prior representations, negotiations, and understandings. If any provision is unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force. A party’s failure to exercise a right does not constitute a waiver. This Agreement may be executed electronically. An electronic signature is a legally binding signature under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth).
15. ARBV Working with an Architect Checklist
Where the Services relate to a Class 1 or Class 10 building (residential dwellings, garages, sheds, and similar structures), the ARBV ‘Working with an Architect Checklist’ is provided to the Client at the end of this Agreement. The Client is encouraged to read this checklist before signing.
Note: This checklist is produced by the ARBV and is a regulatory requirement in Victoria. Architect GP provides it to all clients nationally to uphold consistent consumer protection standards. It is not prepared by Architect GP. Please retain it for your records.
Signatures
Both parties must sign below. A typed name is considered to be a binding signature.
By signing this Agreement, each party confirms they have read, understood, and agree to its terms.
CLIENT
Signature:
Name:
Date:
ARCHITECT
Signature:
Name:
Date: