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.

Why are mandatory Australian Standards so inaccessible? The ACA has long advocated on this critical issue and is now highlighting the business case for reform, emphasising the ongoing costs of the status quo. Angelina Pillai provides an update on the ACA’s latest government advocacy, as she leads ACIF’s call for urgent change.

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 latest ACA Pulse Check captures a profession that remains active and committed, but is increasingly feeling the impact of an uncertain world. Global instability, economic volatility and shifting market conditions are beginning to shape the day-to-day reality of architectural practice in Australia. While the profession is not in crisis, the pressure is clearly building.

While some NSW practices report strong workflows for 2026, others are contending with a declining pipeline, intensifying competition and sustained fee pressure. The gap between stable practices and those that are under strain is widening.

Western Australia Pulse Check results highlight a key national issue, with geography compounding every structural pressure facing the profession, and regional and remote contexts providing significant challenges.

The SA Pulse Check results reflect a market shaped by cost pressure, labour constraints and inefficiencies in procurement. Practices report that while work is available in certain sectors, securing it remains highly competitive and often resource-intensive.

Victorian Pulse Check results point to some of the most challenging conditions nationally. Fee compression, planning system delays, workload volatility and a sharp contraction in the Class 2 apartment market are consistent with national trends, but appear particularly acute here.

Queensland respondents of the 2026 Pulse Check survey are among the most direct about the structural problems they face. While some practices report steady work, others describe a stop-start environment where projects are delayed or fail to proceed.

Special conditions for the ABIC contracts introduce the concept of Force Majeure. These special conditions were updated and reissued in April 2026, with two versions available – a short form version and a comprehensive version for projects involving greater complexity.

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.

The ACA is delighted to welcome the University of Melbourne and Swinburne University of Technology as the latest University Affiliates, continuing the strong momentum of this growing initiative to better connect architectural education with professional practice.

In our submission to the National Competition Council, the ACA has recommended a reform path that removes duplication, harmonises administrative processes and improves national consistency, while retaining strong local oversight and clear regulatory accountability.

As liquidated damages clauses begin to appear in consultancy agreements, architects must carefully consider their implications. What do these provisions mean in practice – and when do they cross the line into unfair risk? Mario Dreosti explores the issue through the lens of Australia’s unfair contract terms legislation and points to useful ACA resources.

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!

The ACA lodged a formal submission with the Select Committee on Productivity in Australia on 20 February 2026, arguing for critical reforms to how government procures, regulates and supports the built environment professions.

The proposed abolition of the ARBV marks one of the most significant challenges to the profession’s regulatory framework in decades. The ACA updates members on their ongoing advocacy efforts and call on architects across Victoria to contact their local MP and have their say.

The rapid rise of Generative AI is reshaping the way we work, challenging traditional workflows and redefining the skills architects need to thrive. This talk explores how AI is transforming the architecture profession from design ideation and documentation, to education and early-career pathways.

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.

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!

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!