Custom design/Architect build

Hi all

As a long time interested reader I thought I would dip my toes in the water and say hello

I have recently moved to Oz and Im considering asking an architect to custom design a new house for me to build in the countryside (real estate in the city is bananas here!!)

I know this is more expensive than a kit home but I cant find any new designs that I like (just my luck!!)

I was wondering if anyone had any info that they can provide on the following:

Fees involved (architects, planning apps, land tax, build cost etc)
what I should be looking for when looking at land(when do I do soil checks, do I get the architect to look at the land etc)
The best way to identify an architect that I like
Timeline- between purchase of land, planning app and build
Countryside zoning


I have been searching around the net for a while and cant seem to find any decent forums specifically for custom builds so I would appreciate any help you can give on this.

Thanks in advance

Vertigo...