The Business of Architecture*

In today’s uncertain economic climate, architecture practices face significant challenges in balancing projects, people and pipeline. Join the ACA and Bee Singh from Catalina Consultants on Wednesday 19 March for an informative webinar on how to navigate these complexities with confidence.

BoSP is back in Melbourne on 26 March, this time at Metz Tile Gallery in Collingwood. For our second event our experienced panel featuring Shae Parker McCashen, Ross Clark and Toby Ewert, is discussing organisational structure and business planning. The BoSP forum is a fantastic opportunity for those running a small practice or interested in getting started to meet up, listen to experts, share knowledge and learn from each other.

In late 2024, the federal government gave Australia’s privacy laws their biggest overhaul in decades. If you’re a practice owner, manager or HR professional, you need to be across the changes now, or face the possibility of legal or reputational risk, writes Merilyn Speiser from Catalina Consultants.

Servicing clients and delivering projects are key to the success of a practice, but attentive, ongoing practice management is equally important. At times, the complex day to day running of the business can be neglected to focus on the more enticing aspects of architecture. Join the ACA and Robert Peake from Management for Design for this timely, informative two-part CPD webinar series.

The ACA SA Committee is delighted to invite you to their next practice managers lunchtime round table on Tuesday 25 March at JPE Design Studio. The discussion will cover the many responsibilities of the practice manager role. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to meet with other practice managers for advice, support and to build your network.

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 January 2025. Download today!

The ACA WA is seeking a dynamic Executive Officer to join our team. This flexible role (approximately one day per week) offers WFH arrangements and involves coordinating committee meetings, managing industry events, creating marketing materials, and engaging with WA’s architectural community.

The ACA Salary Calculator provides practices with a clear methodology for determining appropriate award-compliant salaries. The calculator assists members to ensure they are operating legally and fairly, and helps practices to develop properly informed plans for their business. The Salary Calculator uses the current 2024–2025 award rates. Access today!

After postponement due to extreme weather in Brisbane, we’re excited to announce that our International Women’s Day celebration is back on the calendar! Join us on Friday 4 April for an inspiring panel featuring three exceptional leaders in the built environment.

The start of the year has been filled with fantastic industry events, and it’s always a pleasure to connect with our members. These conversations provide ACA CEO Angelina Pillai with invaluable insights into the challenges and successes of practices in real time. But many still aren’t aware of the full scope of ACA membership benefits. Angelina runs through some of our most popular tools, templates and services.

Sascha Byrne plays a vital role at the ACA, wearing many hats. One of the most important is her role as Wellbeing Program Manager. In this interview, she shares insights into her work with the ACA EAP program and the AMWF initiative, highlighting the fulfilment she finds in supporting practices and their staff.

informed by Planned Cover is offering a 15% discount for ACA members for its upcoming CPD webinar on novation. On Thursday 10 April, Wendy Poulton will recap the legal foundations of novation and unpack several relevant judgments and reports. Don’t miss this important presentation!

From 1 January 2025, intentional underpayment of wages or entitlements is a criminal offence, with potential sanctions including jail time and significant financial penalties. The ACA’s legal advisor, Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers, has written a summary of everything employers need to know.

Making employees redundant is never a pleasant situation. However, failing to comply with relevant laws can expose a business to additional legal complications and costs at a time the business can least afford it. ACA legal advisor Fair Work Lawyers sets out some important considerations for employers regarding redundancy – from consultation, redeployment, adverse action and unfair dismissal to workers compensation, outstanding leave and contractual entitlements.

The RAA is hosting their next multi-day event from 20–22 March in Canberra. Curated by Hal Guida of Guida Moseley Brown and RAA president Tim Lee, “Context” will consider Canberra’s progression from outback sheep station to nation’s capital, examining the planning journey over the years and the growing pains experienced along the way. ACA members are eligible for a 15% discount.