Advocacy

The ACA is a respected voice representing the concerns of architectural practices and business owners. We provide advice to governments at local, state and federal level, make submissions to relevant inquiries and speak up on the matters that effect the profession. We firmly believe in collaborating with other industry bodies to provide a consistent, coherent voice for the profession.

2024-02-12

ACA WA Advocacy Prevails

12 February 2024

After several months of committed advocacy and campaigning led by ACA WA Vice-President Kate Fitzgerald, the ACA WA is delighted to share that the once-deferred Medium Density Code has been reintroduced. This will help ensure the supply of well-designed housing in suburbs and infill precincts for the State.

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2023-09-04

WA Medium Density Code Update

4 September 2023

The deferral of the Medium Density Code has dominated the activity of the WA Branch in recent weeks. While the ACA supports the Government’s mission to increase housing supply, we are concerned that the deferral will reduce the supply of well-designed housing in suburbs and infill precincts.

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2023-08-30

Submission to ANZSCO Comprehensive review

30 August 2023

The ACA recently made a submission to the ANZSCO Comprehensive Review to request a new sub-category title of ‘Graduate of Architecture’. This important addition will assist in creating a more accurate picture of the profession today with more meaningful predictions of future numbers for workforce planning.

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2023-08-02

President’s Comment – August 2023

2 August 2023

It’s been a busy month of advocacy for the ACA. National President John Held outlines some of the ACA’s current advocacy work and emphasises the importance of collaboration when trying to make a difference.

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2023-07-28

Responsible AI in Australia

28 July 2023

On 26 July 2023, the ACA made a submission to the Federal Government regarding Responsible AI in Australia as part of a consultation across sectors, professions and industries to identify and establish appropriate regulatory frameworks. The ACA will continue to engage with government as its AI policies are developed and implemented.

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2023-07-28

All-Gender Bathrooms – Proposal for NCC Change

28 July 2023

The ACA is proud to support the proposal by Alison Cox from TAFE NSW to allow the provision of all-gender amenities as deemed to satisfy under the National Construction Code (NCC).

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2023-06-19

SA Advocacy in Action 2023

19 June 2023

In the ACA SA Committee, members are passionate and committed to representing the business of architecture and being a voice for practices in their state. Here, Justin Cucchiarelli offers a glimpse of recent advocacy work in South Australia.

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2022-09-13

WA Advocates for Increased Energy Standards

13 September 2022

The ACA WA Branch wrote to Minister Roger Cook ahead of his meeting with State Building Ministers to advocate for the lifting of Energy Performance Standards in the National Construction Code 2022.

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2022-09-12

Advocacy Update re ARBV

12 September 2022

The ACA VIC/TAS branch is pleased to inform its members that the proposed changes to the Architects Registration Board of Victoria, to reduce the number of members and remove the requirement for any member to be a registered architect, have been averted for now.

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2022-07-20

SA Advocacy in Action

20 July 2022

In the ACA SA Committee, members are passionate and committed to representing the business of architecture and being a voice for practices in their state. Here, Mario Dreosti, Catherine Startari and Simon Thomson offer a glimpse of their ongoing advocacy work.

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2022-07-11

Joint Statement on ARBV

11 July 2022

The VIC/TAS branch of the ACA has made a joint statement with the Victorian chapter of the Institute in response to proposed changes to the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV), stating that consumer protection is under threat.

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2022-01-31

Around the Table – A QLD Advocacy Update

31 January 2022

Immediate Past President of the ACA QLD/NT Robert Wesener provides a comprehensive update of the ACA’s advocacy efforts in Queensland.

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2021-10-30

National Registration Framework Joint Statement

30 October 2021

The ACA has made a joint statement with the Institute and the AASA in response to the National Registration Framework.

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2021-10-10

ACA Advocacy: COVID-19, Indoor Air Quality & Ventilation

10 October 2021

The ACA has joined a coalition of nine peak industry bodies to call for credible, government-endorsed, public information regarding the airborne transmission of COVID-19 and the importance of indoor air quality.

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2021-07-06

2021 National Standard of Competency for Architects

6 July 2021

Charmaine Kai, ACA member of the Expert Reference Group on the NSCA, provides an update on the key developments.

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2021-05-31

ACA Response to Victorian Framework for Reform

31 May 2021

After extensive consultation, the ACA’s VIC/TAS Committee has submitted its response to the Victorian government’s Framework for Reform building review. Our executive summary outlines the ACA’s key priorities and the full submission is also available for download for further background and discussion of the issues.

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2021-03-02

ACA Advocacy on Unfair Contracts

2 March 2021

We need to work together to advocate for improved contracts and procurement methodologies, says John Held.

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2021-02-28

Automatic Mutual Recognition

28 February 2021

The ACA welcomes the automatic mutual recognition scheme, which serves as a sound framework to create national harmonisation across the architectural labour force. However, several issues need to be addressed.

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2020-11-04

Urgent Stimulus Required for Construction Industry

4 November 2020

The ACA is calling for Government to fund and bring forward construction projects, prioritising strategically planned, well-timed projects, supported by effective procurement processes and equitable contract terms.

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2020-10-27

Nominations Open for Australian Honours

27 October 2020

Is there someone exceptional within the architecture profession who you would like to nominate for an Australian Honour? The Order of Australia recognises Australians for outstanding service or exceptional achievement in a diverse range of fields and areas of endeavours, including architecture.

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2020-09-15

ACA Response to National Registration Framework

15 September 2020

The ACA, in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Architects, has responded to the ABCB’s discussion paper on the proposed national registration framework, pointing out the problematic lack of distinction made between a registered architect and building designer.

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2019-11-07

NSW Design and Building Practitioners’ Bill

7 November 2019

The ACA welcomes NSW draft legislation and supports the NSW Government’s efforts on building quality.

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2019-07-19

ACA Response to BMF Decision

19 July 2019

The BMF announcement to adopt a consistent national approach to reform in the Australian construction industry is welcome news.

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2019-07-17

Victorian Government Leadership on Cladding

17 July 2019

The release of the Victorian Cladding Taskforce Final Report and associated program of work is welcomed by the ACA, but the Federal Government must also take action to ensure a unified national approach.

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2019-07-16

Industry Groups Call for Australia-wide Action on Building Regulation

16 July 2019

Five industry groups have issued a call for co-ordinated, nation-wide action on building regulation. The ACA supports this call, and is part of it through membership of the Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF).

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2019-06-21

Joint Statement - Implementing the Building Confidence Report

21 June 2019

The government must act now to ensure the design and construction of safe, well-constructed buildings and to restore public trust in Australia’s built environment.

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2019-04-28

Shergold Weir Report Implementation

28 April 2019

The Building Confidence Report Implementation Plan has now been released. What does it mean for the architecture profession? Where are the opportunities and what are the challenges? How is the ACA working on a response? We present a summary of the plan and ACA commentary for each state and territory.

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2019-02-13

Building Commissioner Auditing Not Enough

13 February 2019

The NSW Government announcement of a new Building Commissioner to audit building design and construction does not go far enough. Government needs to investigate the construction contracting methods, relationships and behaviours that affect building quality and safety.

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2018-10-11

Challenging the Banks’ Discrimination Against ABIC

11 October 2018

Warwick Mihaly outlines the findings of the recent survey on the banks and ABIC contracts. The worrying results provided the foundation for the joint submission to the Banking Royal Commission by the ACA, ArchiTeam and the Institute of Architects.

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2018-09-12

Submission to the Banking Royal Commission

12 September 2018

The ACA has joined forces with the Institute and ArchiTeam to condemn the unfair treatment of industry-standard construction contracts by banks in a submission to the Banking Royal Commission.

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2018-04-02

Langoulant Review into WA Major State Projects

2 April 2018

An inquiry led by former under treasurer, John Langoulant, into recent WA state government projects and contracts has revealed gross incompetence and highlighted the need for a major reformation to current procurement processes.

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2017-07-25

Procurement in WA: Government as ‘model client’

25 July 2017

A joint submission to the WA Commission of Inquiry into Government Programs and Projects.

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2017-04-13

Procuring Architectural Services - an Industry Discussion Paper

13 April 2017

The ACA Industry Discussion Paper on Procuring Architectural Services aims to provoke conversation and thought about the role procurement plays in the development of our cities and communities.

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2017-02-17

Learning Environment Opportunity Study

17 February 2017

ACA - SA has been working closely with the SA Department of Education and Child Development to introduce a new type of planning study for schools.

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2017-02-16

Design WA Submissions

16 February 2017

ACA - WA has submitted responses to four Design WA documents and policies.

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2016-09-28

DAP and DACs in WA - survey report

28 September 2016

The ACA - WA member survey on WA Development Assessment Panel and local authority Design Advisory Committees is providing an important evidence base for advocacy with the Minister for Planning.

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2016-07-15

SA State Budget Stimulus Package

15 July 2016

The SA 2016-17 Budget features a major stimulus package for the construction industry, with $500 million allocated to upgrade school facilities. This is an opportunity for architects to show leadership and work collaboratively to deliver outstanding educational facilities.

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2015-12-02

Australian Government Response to the Competition Policy Review

2 December 2015

An update on the Australian Government’s response to the “Harper Review” into competition policy.

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2015-02-10

Improving Government Procurement in South Australia

10 February 2015

ACA - SA is on the front foot with changes in government procurement - a report on the recent DPTI priorities survey.

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2014-11-10

Procurement Reform

10 November 2014

Finally there is some movement on procurement reform in NSW. Steve Kennedy provides an update.

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2014-07-28

Unfair Contracts Consultation Submission

28 July 2014

The ACA’s submission to the Treasury consultation on Extending Unfair Contract Term Protections To Small Businesses.

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The ACA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters of Australia.