Australians are renowned for their welcoming nature and informality. It is an outward-looking nation, and its very remoteness fosters a respect and regard for the world beyond, with its many nations and cultures. The strength of its economy and the stability of Australian society make it an attractive, exotic and rewarding place for study and travel. The Olympic Games to be hosted in Sydney 2000 will provide a showcase for Australia's achievements in architecture, urban planning and design, and will provide the catalyst for further commercial and cultural growth. Australia's youth as a nation ensures that it thrives on vitality, optimism and the potential of its future.

Architecture in Australia is an exciting art, as cultural vigour resonates in the design and production of buildings and places that respond both to the needs of a rapidly growing population, and to the special qualities of its urban and rural settings. The need to settle a vast continent in a relatively short span of time generated interest and expertise in the efficient use of construction materials and systems. The Australian architect works in a society that expects to build, and young architects have often accumulated extensive experience of designing and documenting new buildings relatively early in their careers. These factors combine to ensure that the education of architects in Australia prepares them fully to take advantage of the opportunities to produce buildings governed by ideas, that respond to the special possibilities of climate, context and place. These ideas are applicable to the making of architecture in all contexts, and Australian-educated architects have made their mark as practical leaders and key designers around the world.

There are sixteen schools of architecture in Australia, each offering courses with a different emphasis. Some are largely design-focussed, some lean more to a sociological position, whilst others are more technical. All schools are reviewed by the profession to determine that they satisfy the accreditation criteria of the professional bodies. Recognition by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects also ensures recognition by the Commonwealth Association of Architects, which provides the international status of Australian degrees in architecture. In order to achieve recognition, the schools must satisfy the education policy of the profession.

Courses are typically five years long, with a further year of practical experience required by some schools between the third and fourth years of their courses. Some schools offer the possibility of undertaking study on a part-time basis. The differences between the courses offered by the separate schools are due in part to the nature of their different locations. These range from the tropical heat of Darwin to the benign sub tropics of Brisbane, down to the more temperate climates of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide and the cooler climates of Tasmania. Typically the courses are taught using project-based learning, to address architectural issues and problems through design. The subject of design integrates the principles and skills gained from other subject streams, such as architectural technology, environmental studies and history and theory. The close relationship between the Schools and the profession enables new areas of study to be embraced as the need arises. Most recently, this has included computer-aided design, as the Australian Schools are leaders in the teaching of screen-based design in a way that complements the more traditional drawing and modelling skills.

Australian universities value their links with universities overseas, and most possess active exchange arrangements with sister institutions in other countries. This enables more advanced students to study in Australia whilst maintaining their enrolment in their home university. For those that have completed undergraduate education, there is a wide range of postgraduate coursework and research higher degrees at masters and doctorate levels. These are offered to enable specialised study in the discipline, and their character and focus is governed by the specific research and design strengths of the separate institutions.

Author
Professor Michael Keniger
Department of Architecture
University of Queensland