The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) is the Australian not-for-profit professional institute formed to serve the mutual interests of Australian landscape architects.
The AILA was established in 1966 with an interim committee chaired by Richard Clough. The original subscribers were Malcolm Bunzli, Harry Howard, Bruce MacKenzie, Ray Margules, Professor Lindsay Pryor, David Steane, Jean Verschuer, Gavin Walkley and George Williams (Ellis Stones and Alistair Knox were also foundation members). In 1967, this interim committee handed over to an elected Council with Peter Spooner as its first National President.
The Institute produces a national journal, Landscape Australia, holds regular conferences and awards the annual AILA National Award for 'work across sustainable settlement, urban design, landscape principles and green infrastructure'.
Within Australia, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) provides professional recognition for landscape architects. Once recognised, AILA landscape architects use the title ‘Registered Landscape Architect’. The AILA’s system of professional recognition is a national system overseen by AILA’s National Office in Canberra.
Across the eight states and territories within Australia, there is a mix of requirements for landscape architects to be ‘Registered’. Generally there is no clear legislative registration requirement in place. Any regulations or requirements are state based, not national.In Queensland as an example landscape architects do not need to be registered with this private organisation to practice. Some agencies require AILA professional recognition or registration as part of the pre-requisite for contracts. Landscape architects within Australia find that some contracts and competitions require the AILA recognition or ‘registration’ as the basis of demonstrating a professional status.
Registered and non AILA registered landscape Architects practise in the disciplines of landscape design and construct, landscape planning, landscape management, urban design, and those landscape architects employed as academics within universities.
Professional recognition includes a commitment to continue professional development. AILA Registered Landscape Architects are required to report annually on their Continuing Professional Development.