New data on architectural salaries across Australia reflects improved business conditions in 2015, according to the latest survey by the Association of Consulting Architects (ACA).

The results of this year’s National Salary Survey indicate that in terms of staff numbers and salary increases, improved economic and business conditions flagged in the 2014 survey results have been realised to some extent. 

According to the ACA, this year saw a larger number of firms able to increase salaries by 3 per cent or more (66 per cent this year, as compared to 47 per cent in 2014).

“A small number of practices offered increases of more than 10 per cent (none of the practices surveyed last year did this). The proportion of practices offering increases at less than the CPI also shrank dramatically,” the association announced.

On trend with recent year, this year’s survey identified BIM managers and modellers outstripping the other technical salary bands.

The number of practices employing students also increased, to 55 per cent, which compared with 45 per cent of the practices surveyed in 2014.

However, the ACA remained concerned to note that some practices appear to be still paying below the minimums stipulated by the Architects Award. 

The group also expressed concern around the ongoing suggestions of gender-based gaps, with the 2015 survey again finding gender pay gaps in all but three of the ten levels surveyed.

The full results of this year’s National Salary Survey are available to ACA members online.You can find out more about joining the ACA here.