Architecture ‘peak’ bodies need to sharpen up, ex-Rob Mills staff say

Former staff who worked at an award-winning architectural firm have sounded the alarm about the sector’s governance as bullying complaints pile up.

Internationally renowned architect Rob Mills. Picture: Supplied

Former staff at an award-winning architecture firm say the sector’s governing bodies are failing to protect their members, and urged them to sharpen their complaints handling in the wake of bullying allegations levelled at Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors.

The Australian Institute of Architects board said they had not received alerts about Mr Mills or his firm of the same name, and would not say whether they intended to investigate allegations reported in The Australian, including claims employees were praised before being berated – sometimes publicly – and being sworn at.

As well, architect Juliana Junqueira has lodged a general protections dismissal application with the Fair Work Commission after alleging she was bullied and harassed at the firm.

Internationally renowned architect Rob Mills. Picture: Supplied

Mr Mills has rejected the allegations. But a former employee, now a prominent architect, has fired back at the institute, saying they have not received complaints because they do not offer a platform for employees to make them.

“Their professional conduct policy and investigation is set up for external parties to complain about architects, not the internal issues which circulate within the industry,” he said. “I know they will push the responsibility on to Fair Work and other bodies. Problem with this is these other bodies can only impose fines (and) court actions.

“It does nothing to protect its members and proliferates the acceptance that in our industry it’s part of our education to just grow a thick skin.”

A spokesman for the Australian Institute of Architects said it was yet to receive a complaint about Mr Mills or his firm.

“The Australian Institute of Architects has not received any formal or informal complaints related to the architect or practice in question,” he said.

“The Institute cannot comment on whether an investigation is under way or will take place to protect the privacy and confidentiality of our members.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Mills said he was a member of the Australian Institute of Architects.

“In terms of registration with state bodies, both Rob Mills and RMA hold the requisite registrations such as with the Architects Registration Board of Victoria and other state equivalents,” she said. Online, the institute says it is the peak industry organisation and that it has “championed the highest standards of professionalism, creativity, and ethical practice across the built environment”.

While membership of the institute was voluntary and there were about 14,500 members, architects must register with their state based licensing authorities, the spokesman said.

“The registration of architects is managed by state-based registration boards, who regulate the profession. The National Standard of Competency for Architects, which underpins the registration process, emphasises practice management and professional conduct as essential requirements for registered architects,” he said.

“The institute encourages anyone experiencing workplace misconduct to seek advice and support through appropriate channels, including the relevant registration board for architects in their home state or territory, the Fair Work Ombudsman, their employer, the institute as their membership organisation, or legal services.”

The NSW Architects Registration Board – where Mr Mills is registered – says it has not received a complaint about Mr Mills. All architects registered in NSW must comply with a code of professional conduct, with avenues for complaints.

“In any dealings with other architects in the course of the architect’s professional practice, the architect must maintain a high standard of integrity and act honestly and fairly,” the code says.

Complaints can be investigated, and it is possible for disciplinary actions to be taken, ranging from a caution to licence cancellation.

According to the NSW architects registration board latest annual report, 13 new complaints were received to June 30 last year.

Four were determined as unsatisfactory professional conduct by the board following an investigation, two complaints were yet to be finalised, and four complaints were awaiting further information from parties in the reporting year.

Architects registration board of Victoria boss Glenice Fox told The Australian the board could not confirm or deny whether it had received a complaint.

“The ARBV expects that all architects in Victoria will take positive steps to comply with all relevant laws relating to their architectural practice, arising under the Architects Act 1991 or arising from other workplace laws. This expectation is embodied in guidance published by the ARBV and communicated to the profession in June 2024,” Ms Fox said.

“The ARBV encourages any person who has concerns about compliance with workplace laws to contact the Fair Work Ombudsman. The Fair Work Ombudsman regulates employee and employer relationships in Australia, and it has the power to inquire into and investigate potential breaches of the Fair Work Act 2009, including complaints of bullying behaviour.” 

She said if an architect was found by a court or other body to have breached a workplace or other law, the board could investigate the architect’s conduct and refer that conduct to the Architects Tribunal.

“If the Architects Tribunal makes a finding against an architect, this will be published on the Architects Disciplinary Register, which is available to the public via the ARBV website.”