ACA Business Concierge
The ACA Business Concierge is a new AI-powered member service developed exclusively for members of the ACA, providing quick practical guidance on the business of architecture.
Created in partnership with Spec Rep Help Desk, the ACA Business Concierge helps members find and navigate ACA resources, delivering detailed responses that can combine multiple sources and tailor information to your specific circumstances.
The service is particularly helpful when navigating employment awards, contracts, and practice management questions. It can also assist with matters such as HR policies, risk, wellbeing, and the broader strategic aspects of running an architectural practice.
You can use the ACA Business Concierge freely and anonymously – no personal details or login data are shared with the chat system, and the AI does not automatically know anything about you unless you choose to tell it.
Access is exclusive to current ACA members. It is part of the ACA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening architectural practice through high-quality support, advice and advocacy for employers across Australia.
Please note: The ACA Business Concierge provides general guidance based on ACA resources and recognised frameworks. It does not replace professional, legal, or industrial relations advice. For complex or sensitive matters, members should contact ACA’s expert advisors directly.
Examples of good questions
The ACA Business Concierge is designed to help you get clear, practical answers to the kinds of business and employment questions that shape your daily practice. You can ask it about almost any aspect of running an architectural business – from HR and awards to contracts, risk, or wellbeing.
Here are some examples of useful questions to get started:
- How much do I need to know about psychosocial hazards, and what are my obligations for providing a safe workplace?
- What are the key differences between the Architects Award and the Clerks Award in how they treat overtime?
- What should I consider when setting up or updating a working-from-home policy for my team?
- How can I calculate appropriate pay rates for graduate architects under the current award?
- What’s the best way to benchmark overheads or fees for a small practice?
- Where can I find ACA resources to support staff wellbeing and retention?
- How do I handle time-in-lieu or flexible work requests in a compliant way?
You can also ask follow-up questions in the same chat, or request the ACA Business Concierge points you directly to relevant ACA guidance notes, templates or resources.
Tip: The more context you include, the more precisely the ACA Business Concierge can tailor its answer.
The ACA Business Concierge
1. What is the ACA Business Concierge?
The ACA Business Concierge is an AI-powered service that helps ACA members quickly locate, interpret and apply the ACA’s business and employment resources. It draws together ACA guidance, reference documents, and contextual information to deliver relevant, practical responses tailored to your situation.
2. What is Spec Rep Help Desk?
Spec Rep Help Desk is an Australian-developed AI platform designed to support architects and building professionals by improving access to trustworthy, industry-specific information.
For the ACA, Spec Rep Help Desk provides the secure technology framework that powers the ACA Business Concierge. All data generated through this service is used only to assist the ACA in improving its member resources and support. Spec Rep Help Desk does not use or share this data for any other purpose.
3. What topics can the ACA Business Concierge assist with?
The ACA Business Concierge can assist with topics central to the business of architecture, including:
- Employment awards and workplace obligations
- HR policies and staffing frameworks
- Practice-management tools and benchmarking
- Contracts, fees, and business strategy
- Risk management, wellbeing, and culture in practice
It helps you locate the right ACA resources and understand how they apply to your situation.
4. How accurate is the information provided by the ACA Business Concierge?
The ACA Business Concierge is trained on verified ACA resources and current frameworks. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the information provided is general in nature. For complex or legally sensitive matters, members should seek direct advice from ACA advisories.
5. What sources does the ACA Business Concierge draw from?
The service draws from ACA member resources, guidance notes, Awards and industrial relations updates, alongside contextual public frameworks. This ensures responses are grounded in reliable, Australian-specific information.
Using the ACA Business Concierge
6. How do I access the ACA Business Concierge?
Members can access the ACA Business Concierge via the ACA website or member portal. Simply open the chat window, type your question, and the Concierge will guide you to the most relevant information or provide a detailed response within seconds.
7. How should I ask questions to get the most useful response?
Be as clear and specific as possible. For example, instead of asking “Tell me about employment awards,” try “What does the Architects Award say about overtime for part-time staff?” The more context you provide, the more precisely the ACA Business Concierge can tailor its answer.
8. Can I ask follow-up questions or refine my enquiry in the same chat?
Yes. The ACA Business Concierge is designed for natural, conversational interaction. You can ask follow-up questions, refine your query, or explore related topics without starting over.
9. What are some best-practice tips for using the ACA Business Concierge effectively?
- Be specific: Include details such as role type or issue area.
- Use plain language: Phrase questions as you would to an advisor.
- Check references: Follow links or documents provided for full context.
- Verify critical matters: For contract or HR decisions, confirm with ACA advisors.
- Provide feedback: Member input helps ACA improve the service and its resources.
Scope and Guidance
10. Does the ACA Business Concierge provide legal or industrial relations advice?
No. The ACA Business Concierge offers general guidance based on ACA resources and established frameworks. It does not replace professional, legal, or industrial relations advice. For complex matters, please contact ACA’s advisors directly.
11. What should I do if I think a response is incorrect or incomplete?
If something appears unclear or incomplete, you can ask follow-up questions within the chat or contact the ACA team. Member feedback is used to review and refine responses.
Privacy and Security
12. Is my information private and secure when I use the ACA Business Concierge?
Yes. The ACA Business Concierge is built on secure systems that protect your privacy. You do not need to provide any personal details – such as your name, practice name, or email address – to use the service. Conversations are anonymous and accessible only to you.
13. Are my questions saved or shared with other members?
No. Your questions and responses are not shared publicly or with other members. Anonymous usage information may be reviewed by ACA to understand member needs and improve resources, but no identifying information is stored or distributed.
14. Will I ever be asked to provide personal details such as my email address?
In most cases, no. The ACA Business Concierge does not request or require personal details. The only exception is if you specifically ask to be connected with ACA staff for follow-up or personalised support. In that case, you may be invited to provide an email address so ACA can contact you directly.
15. How is my data used to improve the service?
Conversation data is handled carefully and used only to assist the ACA. Spec Rep Help Desk does not use this data for any purpose other than providing technical support and direct assistance to ACA. The ACA may analyse anonymised data to identify common queries and strengthen its resources. No individual data is sold, shared externally, or used for marketing.
16. Are my login details linked to my chat history?
No. User login data and chat data are stored in completely separate systems and are never reconciled. This ensures that while ACA can verify membership for access, it cannot view or associate chat content with any individual member.
This also means the AI does not automatically know anything about you or your practice unless you choose to share that information during a conversation. All interactions remain fully anonymous and under your control.
Feedback and Support
18. How can I provide feedback or suggest improvements?
ACA welcomes member feedback. You can provide comments through the feedback link within the chat interface or contact the ACA office directly. Your input helps refine both the ACA Business Concierge and the resources it draws upon.
Closing Note
The ACA Business Concierge represents the next step in ACA’s commitment to supporting the business of architecture.
It combines trusted ACA expertise with the efficiency of new technology – helping members find answers faster, access reliable information, and strengthen their practices with confidence.