CEO Report – October 2025
October is Mental Health Month, a timely reminder that architecture is, above all, a people business. This profession thrives not just on creativity and technical skill, but on the wellbeing of the people who bring projects, designs and buildings to life every day.
Employers face a barrage of challenges every day (fees, increased risk, procurement, operating costs, project pipelines, government tenders, the under-valuing of architecture…the list goes on). Yet they are often accused of only protecting their businesses, not their people, by putting profits ahead of their staff. That’s unfair. ACA’s mission is about flipping that narrative. Our work has always been about supporting practices to support their people. Because when employees are healthy, safe, valued and supported, the whole profession benefits. It’s a two-way thing. Through education, learning, listening and running ethical practices, businesses can be sustainable and productive.
That’s why we’ve been so focused on wellbeing initiatives:
- For several years we have been proud to be part of the Pause for Wellbeing tender campaign with Consult Australia and a group of other leading peak bodies, advocating for genuine change in how wellbeing is prioritised across the industry. This year’s campaign kicks off this month.
- We continue to champion the Architects Mental Wellbeing Forum (AMWF), and I’m delighted to share an excellent event coming up in Victoria this month. These forums are a vital space for honest conversations and practical knowledge about mental wellbeing in practice.
- We’re sharing resources to help members navigate important workplace changes, like the Right to Disconnect provisions. If you haven’t already, we highly recommend this excellent ABC podcast that unpacks what it all means in practice.
- We’ve also been shining a light on issues like wage underpayment, ensuring members have the tools and knowledge to meet their obligations and create fair workplaces. Wage theft is a criminal offence and there are no excuses!
- The ACA’s Employee Assistance Program is going from strength to strength. It’s a wealth of resources and support, including an advice line for managers who need to discuss a tricky workplace issue, help an employee in trouble, or seek advice on general workplace stress.
- The ACA was a proud supporter of the Wellbeing of Architects research project, which made strong connections between wellbeing and good business practice. See the Guides to Wellbeing in Architecture Practice for advice on managing time and money, risk and responsibility, trust and transparency, value and worth, and psychosocial and psychological safety.
Wellbeing is not a “nice to have”. It’s fundamental to the sustainability of our practices and the future of our profession. The ACA will continue to lead in this space, equipping employers with the right knowledge, policies and support so that every individual in practice – employers and employees – can thrive.
This October, I encourage all of us to pause, reflect, and take action that helps foster healthier, more supportive workplaces. I encourage you to review your firm’s wellbeing structures, have candid conversations with your teams, and let us know where you need help. Together, we can ensure that architecture remains a profession where people are at the heart of what we do.