End-of-Year Reflections 2024
AGM HIGHLIGHTS
At the Annual General Meeting on Monday 25 November, we were pleased to report another positive year for the ACA, albeit slightly slower that the exceptional growth that we had experienced in the preceding half a decade. This is understandable given the broader economic climate we are navigating.
Sadly, we bid farewell to John Held, as he officially stepped down as National President. John has been an incredible leader not just for the ACA, but for the architecture profession and the construction industry more broadly. Personally, I will miss his generous mentorship, interesting humour, unparalleled intellect, warm demeanour and collaborative spirit. The good news is that he will still be hanging around our orbit as Immediate Past National President, so he can’t escape us that easily! You can read more about John’s time with the ACA here.
I’m excited to share that sound leadership will continue as we welcome Paul Viney into the hot seat. Paul has been an equally valuable member of our National Executive Committee and will help maintain the momentum we’ve built to ensure the ACA continues our important charter.
We also farewelled Michelle Eades, our National Executive Officer, who has been with the ACA for 30 years. Personally, it has been an absolute pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with Michelle over the past six years. Her warmth, kindness, knowledge, collaborative spirit and genuine interest in the ACA have been driving forces behind all our efforts. Her gentle, yet firm demeanour, coupled with her willingness to always be accessible (with a smile), is inspirational and I thank her for her contribution to ACA’s growth and success throughout those three decades. Susie Ashworth sat down with Michelle as she reflected on her time at the ACA.
MEMBERSHIP
A key ACA milestone is the introduction of the new Affiliate Student Membership grade. While the ACA is primarily an employer organisation, the statistics speak for themselves – 90% of architecture students aspire to run their own practice after graduating and, in reality, 50% go on to do so. This indicates a ready pipeline of future professionals. However, many students are not familiar with the ACA, and often lack knowledge of business and practice management. By connecting architecture students with the ACA early in their careers, we can offer them the chance to engage with our community, participate in events and webinars, and access a wealth of services, resources and tools, while also connecting with potential future employers. Stay tuned for the announcement of our Affiliate Student Membership package in the new year!
NATIONAL ONLINE EVENTS
Our national online events program continues to see remarkable engagement, with attendance hitting all time high registrations per session. The topics that are resonating most with our members include the role of AI in business operations, advocacy strategies for architects, the development of fee proposals, fostering flexibility in studio culture, and key updates on industrial relations. We are in the process of crafting 2025’s Q1 national webinar schedule so if you have any particular topic you would like us to feature, please get in touch with Katherine Ygosse at webinars@aca.org.au.
ADVOCACY
Advocacy efforts are intensifying across several fronts around the nation. We’ve been actively involved in the NSW Building Bill and responding to the NSW Productivity Commission’s Housing Supply Review. In Victoria, our response to the Cladding Safety Report and the ongoing Building Reform agenda are keeping our VIC/TAS Committee busy. In Western Australia, the re-introduction of the once deferred WA Medium Density Code was a result of relentless lobbying by the ACA WA Committee together with other key players. In Queensland, our branch committee has continued to build strong relationships with the Office of the Queensland Government Architect, the Board of Architects Queensland and Department of Energy and Public Works, with formal meetings convened and chaired by Queensland Government Architect Leah Lang. In South Australia, our crew engage regularly with the Department for Industry and Transport to advocate for more equitable working arrangements such as PI Insurance, engagement of secondary consultants, security of payment terms, and unfair contracts.
On a national scale, we’ve established an advocacy reference group and are collaborating closely with State and Territory Government Architects to address critical issues. At the end of last month, I had the opportunity to represent the ACA at Parliament House through our partnership with the Australian Construction Industry Forum. This was a timely moment to engage with Federal ministers across all political parties and discuss key challenges. While we focused on topics such as Australia’s housing shortage, climate change adaptation, the energy transition, the frequency of updates to the National Construction Code, security of payment, and the broader culture of the construction industry, one particular issue that I raised with Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Skills and Training, was the lack of incentives, funding or subsidies available for architectural employers.
A primary challenge facing architectural employers is the gap in employability skills among the graduates they hire. It’s well-documented that university curricula have seen a reduction in business and practice management training, and opportunities for practical experience, like on-site training, remain limited. As a result, architectural employers are left to shoulder the responsibility of training their graduate staff.
There is a significant need for more support for employers in this regard, including financial incentives to help them mentor and guide graduates towards registration. Currently, there are no government subsidies or funding available to assist with training graduate architects, and most of the support is directed towards apprentices in the trades. Architectural employers are bearing the brunt of professionalising the industry at their own financial cost.
A sustainable incentive program is clearly needed to encourage employers to hire graduates and support them through their registration journey. The Minister has acknowledged this issue and invited the ACA to provide further details. Stay tuned for more updates!
During my visit to Parliament House, I was pleased to catch up with Greens MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown. As the only architect in the Federal Government, Elizabeth is well aware of the challenges facing the profession. During our discussion, she expressed her support for the ACA’s inclusion in the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Urban Design, recognising it as a valuable voice for the business side of design.
CULTURE & WELLBEING INITIATIVES
We recently supported the launch of Parlour’s national survey to address bullying and harassment within the profession. The latest research from the Human Rights Commission reveals concerning statistics: one in three individuals has experienced sexual harassment at work over the past five years, with 41% of women and 26% of men affected. The built environment is not immune to these issues, and this survey will be an important tool in identifying patterns, understanding the scope, and driving collective action towards a safer, more inclusive industry for all.
ACA’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) continues to strengthen. Members who have signed up for our discounted member offer have found a wealth of resources and assistance, 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.
We’ve also joined forces with Consult Australia again this year in supporting their ‘Pause for Wellbeing – Stop the Tender Campaign’ over the Christmas holidays. This initiative is aimed at prioritising mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, a cause that is vital to our industry’s overall sustainability.
WORKING GROUPS
I’m thrilled to share that our working groups are thriving and continue to strengthen our communities of practice.
Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group
Our main goal is to promote the value of reconciliation within our membership, deepen our understanding of First Nations culture, and create more opportunities for the engagement and employment of First Nations people. Be sure to visit our First Nations Understanding hub for valuable content, CPD opportunities, and resources.
University Engagement Working Group
This group focuses on building connections with the university sector and showcasing the importance of architectural practice and business to students. With our newly ratified Affiliate Student membership offering, we aim to further enhance our relationship with both students and the academic community.
Regional Practice Working Group
In partnership with the Regional Architects Association, we’re gaining momentum as we continue to support regionally focused events. Don’t miss our regional member profiles, which highlight the outstanding work taking place across Australia’s regional areas!
THANK YOU!
I’d like to end by thanking all our members and wishing all of you a safe and restful Christmas and New Year season. Across the nation, our Branch Committees have been hosting End-of-Year events and whilst I couldn’t make it to all, it was an absolute delight to hang out with our team in Sydney, which also coincided with a site tour by the team at Macquarie of the outstanding CBD Macquarie Building.
A big thank you to all our national principal partners – Macquarie, Planned Cover, Ardex, SCLspec, informed Lawyers, the Built Environment Channel, Deltek and Natspec. They help us develop excellent resources to support members, pursue a strong editorial and communication program, and continue our advocacy by promoting better understanding of business in architecture.
Despite the ride of 2024, we remain undeterred. The ACA is here to ensure that you have the tools, knowledge and connections to navigate this vibrant, ever-changing profession. From fostering a culture of collaboration to advocating for policies that make your work more rewarding, we are by your side every step of the way. I would like to thank our dedicated Committee Members across the nation and the small and enthusiastic ACA team that makes it all happen – the ACA national team and Branch Executive Officers!