The Business of Architecture*

This month, ACA CEO Angelina Pillai turns the spotlight on mental wellbeing – a vital part of a thriving, sustainable profession and a core focus for the ACA. Here Angelina shares the ACA’s continued efforts to strengthen wellbeing in practice through education, advocacy and meaningful industry partnerships.

Join the ACA online on Thursday 16 October to learn how to conduct respectful consultations with First Nations people and organisations. Troy Casey from Aboriginal-owned design consultancy Blaklash will share practical knowledge and culturally responsive approaches for effective consultation practice.

The ACA is hosting its very first regional event in Victoria on the weekend of 25–26 October – and we’d love you to be part of it. Set in the beautiful township of Castlemaine, just a short trip from Melbourne and central to the regions, this relaxed two-day gathering offers the perfect mix of learning, connection, and inspiration.

The ACA SA Committee was delighted to host Philip Thalis as their guest speaker at the recent annual Business of Design lunch. Philip is the principal of Hill Thalis Architecture + Urban Projects, a practice recognised for its independent standpoint and design expertise across a range of project types and scales.

ACA Knowledge Partner Moddex shares practical information on the what, why and how of powder coating steel handrails, balustrades and barrier systems.

The Professional Services Subcontract (September 2025 update) is available for members to use when back-to-back provisions are required to pass through rights and obligations of the Head Contract to the Subconsultant. This is a major update that addresses many more elements and is a more comprehensive framing of the contractual relationship. Download today!

Join the ACA and small practice owners on Thursday 16 October for an interactive BoSP roundtable discussion on what you need to run your practice. Connect with peers, explore current challenges and opportunities, and share insights.

How can understanding people’s natural strengths transform the way architectural teams work? Ryan Loveday, Director at Fulton Trotter Architects, explores the ideas behind Patrick Lencioni’s The 6 Types of Working Genius – and reflects on how self-awareness and recognising different “genius” types can shape project teams, leadership, and practice culture.

Architect turned specifications specialist, Cindy Lee bridges the gap between design and delivery in her role at Stratco. Here she shares insights on the company’s evolution, the shifting challenges of practice, and how early collaboration with suppliers can help architects realise their vision.

The ACA is once again pleased to support Consult Australia’s End of Year Tender campaign, encouraging everyone across the industry to pause procurement activities over the Christmas break. Together, we can build a culture that values wellbeing and supports more balanced workplaces for everyone.

Join ACA VIC/TAS for an inspiring AMWF session with psychologist and leadership coach, Kim Singline, and our line-up of experienced practitioners. Explore how to build more engaged, productive, high-performing and happy practices and teams. Learn how to measure culture, the role leaders play in shaping it, and practical strategies for supporting people, business and culture. Relevant to all – owner, director, manager and staff. Book now!

An important ACA member benefit is our suite of Employment Agreement templates to support members. Our IR advisor Fair Work Lawyers undertakes a review of our template employment contracts regularly, ensuring they are user friendly and legally compliant, and reflect recent legislative changes. Download the 2025 update today!

Navigating architectural fees is one of the most important – and most challenging – aspects of practice. Join the ACA’s Business of Small Practice (BoSP) forum on Thursday 6 November for a night with the In Detail podcast team, and a timely conversation about fees. Our speakers will share experiences and insights on the key factors shaping how fees are structured, communicated and managed. Book now!

informed by Planned Cover is offering a 15% discount for ACA members for its upcoming CPD webinar on electric vehicle safety. The session will feature Richard Choy, CEO at NATSPEC and Marianne Foley, Principal Fire Engineer from Arup.

The ACA QLD/NT and BoSP coordinator Rebecca Caldwell is hosting a casual evening on Monday 13 October to help shape the 2026 Business of Small Practice program. BoSP aims to continue to deliver practical, valuable content that supports and strengthens our community – and we want your input.

Architecture faces a rapidly changing future. To remain relevant, practices must evolve with intention, building adaptability into the core of how they work. Michael Lewarne highlights eight foundational systems that practices can use to build agility, resilience and future proofing.

A recent decision of the Federal Court has unsettled longstanding employer practices in relation to two key areas: the capacity for set-off clauses to cover award entitlements for salaried employees; and strict requirements for employee record-keeping. Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers sets out the key takeaways from this decision.

The Victorian Parliament is currently considering the Domestic Building Contracts Amendment Bill 2025, and the ACA has made a comprehensive submission supporting its intent while proposing key improvements to better protect homeowners and support small builders.

Client insights are one of the most powerful tools for building a stronger practice, helping you refine services and deepen relationships. Sign up for the 2026 Client Choice Awards for Best Architecture Firm and gain a tailored report with invaluable client feedback. 

We are pleased to share the ACA’s new membership brochure, a colourful, easy-to-read booklet that outlines the many ways the ACA supports and advocates for Australian architecture practices. It highlights our role as a trusted business advisor, with benefits including practical tools, contracts and advisories, regular business-focused updates and webinars, and advocacy and research.

It’s critical that all architectural businesses understand their obligations under the Architects Award. The update of the Architects Award and other Awards relevant to architectural practice incorporate all changes up to and including 1 July 2025, including new pay rates. Download today!