The Business of Architecture*

The ACA, in partnership with specialist broker Coverforce, is pleased to introduce a new combined Professional Indemnity (PI) and General Liability (GL) insurance initiative, designed to provide eligible member practices with a more consistent, transparent and sustainable approach to insurance.

Act now! Help protect the future of architectural registration in Victoria by signing the current Victorian Legislative Assembly petition. Sign it today!

Long service leave remains one of the more complex employment entitlements, with rules varying significantly across states and territories in Australia. Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers provides a practical explainer of Long Service Leave entitlements in each state and territory, including useful links.

How can you embrace the benefits of AI without putting your practice, your clients or your IP at risk? Join the ACA and Frances Russell from FooForce on 21 May for this valuable cyber security CPD webinar on the safe adoption of AI without compromising professional standards.

Join the ACA and Associate Professor Michael Mossman on 10 June to explore insights from the Indigenising the Built Environment research project. Learn how First Nations competencies can be meaningfully embedded in architectural practice and project delivery. Book now!

Welcome to the ACA Business Concierge – your new AI-powered support tool for members. Designed specifically for architectural practices, this smart assistant provides quick answers to your business and employment questions. Access the Business Concierge today!

Yesterday’s Federal Budget commitment to make Australian Standards freely accessible is a genuine win for the profession, and one we have advocated for over many years. This move will be a game-changer (we don’t say that very often!) for the architectural profession and the construction industry more broadly.

How can you more effectively communicate the capabilities and value of your practice? On Thursday 28 May, Alicia Brown from New Doors will present an insightful session on leveraging your IP, processes and other hidden expertise to build brand awareness and win more work. Don’t miss it!

Join us for an engaging session designed to help you unlock the full value of your ACA membership. Whether you’re a long-standing member, just getting started or are considering joining, this event will walk you through the breadth of support, resources and opportunities available. We will cover everything from business advisory services and advocacy, to tools and templates, and exclusive member programs designed to strengthen your practice.

ACA Knowledge Partner Moddex reports on a major new stadium project in New Zealand and launches a new white paper on specifying barriers and balustrades for public sport and community facilities.

ACA WA hosted its inaugural State of the Nation Economic Briefing on 22 April 2026, bringing together government and industry leaders for a panel conversation and networking in the basement bar at His Majesty’s Theatre. Claire Harloe and Emma Brain recount their key messages.

The Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV) has updated its position on professional indemnity insurance (PII), and while the changes are measured, the implication is clear. Continuous, actively managed insurance cover is key to compliance. Read our summary.

Significant changes to Victoria’s building regulation framework are coming into effect from 1 July 2026. Join this important industry briefing on Friday 29 May, to understand what the reforms mean for the built environment sector.

On 1 May 2026, the final version of NCC 2025 was published by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB). This summary includes details about state and territory timelines, key changes, the inclusion of all-gender facilities as DTS, and further resources. We also provide an update on the NCC modernisation project.

For two days at Sydney Build 2026, the ACA were in the heart of Australia’s largest construction and design show, connecting with architects, industry professionals and built environment practitioners from across the country.

Angelina Pillai recently represented the ACA at the 2026 AI in Associations Summit, sharing insights into the organisation’s growing use of AI to support members and strengthen governance. Her contributions included a presentation on the ACA Business Concierge, which helps members navigate our valuable member-only content; and participation in a panel discussion on Governance in Practice.

The fifth iteration of the ACA Architects’ Time/Cost Calculator Guide (TCCG) was launched in February 2026, with 47 updates and improvements. The TCCG helps practices manage project time and costs, combining practice-specific data with reliable calculations to support accurate, tailored fee proposals for all building types, service levels and procurement methods.

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!