1970-01-01

ACA Architects’ Time/Cost Calculator Guide

20 July 2025

The new and improved ACA Architects’ Time/Cost Calculator Guide (TCCG) helps practices manage project time and costs with confidence. It combines practice-specific data with reliable calculations to support accurate, tailored fee proposals for all types of building types, service levels and procurement methods.

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1970-01-01

ACA Salary Calculator

1 July 2025

The ACA Salary Calculator provides practices with a clear methodology for determining appropriate award-compliant salaries. The calculator assists members to ensure they are operating legally and fairly, and helps practices to develop properly informed plans for their business. The Salary Calculator has been updated with the 2025–2026 pay rates and new superannuation rates. Access the updated Salary Calculator today!

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1970-01-01

ACIF Forecasts – Free to ACA members

18 November 2024

The Australian Construction Industry Forum Forecasts (worth $350+) are produced every six months by the ACIF forecasters, with the Construction Forecasting Council providing guidance and oversight. ACA members have free access to the ACIF Customised Forecasts Dashboard as a member-only benefit.

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1970-01-01

Updated Employment Agreement Templates

18 September 2024

The ACA is delighted to release an updated version of the Employment Agreement templates to support members. Our IR advisor Fair Work Lawyers has recently undertaken a review of our template employment contracts, ensuring they are user friendly and legally compliant, and reflect recent legislative changes. Download them today!

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1970-01-01

Right to Disconnect – What employers need to know

3 September 2024

On 26 August 2025 the Right to Disconnect will come into effect for businesses with fewer than 15 employees. Our legal advisor, Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers, offers some insights into the right to disconnect, what it means for employers and employees, advice for implementation and information on the dispute process.

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1970-01-01

Christmas closedowns and annual leave

19 August 2024

When it comes to seasonal practice closedowns, what are your rights to direct employees to take annual leave during these periods? Emma Avey from Fair Work Lawyers offers advice related to employees engaged under the Architects Award and other relevant industrial awards.

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1970-01-01

Managing under-performance

3 July 2024

How do I manage the under-performance of one of my employees if they seem disengaged and are not meeting the requirements of their job? The ACA’s HR advisor Catalina Consultants offers ACA members a range of options in managing under-performance, from informal first steps to a more formal approach, including the use of Performance Improvement Plans.

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1970-01-01

Unfair Contract Terms Discussion Paper

3 June 2024

The ACA has launched a valuable new resource to assist members with their understanding of contracts. Written by lawyer, advisor and contracts expert Phillip Greenham, this comprehensive discussion paper covers everything from warranties, errors, variations, resourcing and time frames to novation, dispute resolution, proportionate liability, IP and moral rights.

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1970-01-01

Work downturns and redundancies

8 April 2024

Redundancy can be a complicated process and is an area where there is extensive litigation. The ACA’s IR advisor Fair Work Lawyers takes us through the main risks associated with redundancies (and dismissals more generally) and outlines employer obligations in relation to terminations.

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1970-01-01

Q&A – Right to Disconnnect

12 March 2024

Given the recent Right to Disconnect legislation, what adjustments would you recommend we make in our practice to ensure compliance with the new rules? The ACA’s HR advisor Catalina Consultants outlines what the new rules mean for employers and some practical measures to aid in the promotion of a healthy work-life balance while still safeguarding productivity.

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1970-01-01

Own your own security

8 November 2023

IT security is increasingly a critical part of your business plan. So, how do you own your own security and protect your business? Frances Russell from Fooforce provides valuable advice for ACA members on how to keep ahead of the cyber crooks and IP thieves.

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1970-01-01

ACA Secondment Agreement

1 November 2023

The ACA is delighted to launch two documents to assist members with Secondment Agreements. These include a Secondment Agreement for use between two practices; and a Secondment Letter for use between the Secondee and their Employer. Available for ACA members to download today!

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1970-01-01

ACA Short Form Architect Consultant Agreement

20 September 2023

The ACA has developed the Short Form Architect Consultant Agreement to facilitate a straightforward, uncomplicated legal engagement between an architectural practice (the Principal) and a consultant business or an independent contractor who is not an employee (the Consultant). Note the May 2025 update of the Agreement. Download the updated documents today!

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1970-01-01

AR Magazine Member Only Offer

20 June 2023

Through ACA’s continued partnership with Niche Media, we are delighted to offer ACA members a complimentary annual digital subscription to the Architectural Review (AR) Magazine.

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1970-01-01

Human Resources Advisory

20 March 2023

ACA member practices are eligible for a 15-minute consultation each year with Catalina Consultants on a range of matters related to people management and workplace culture.

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1970-01-01

Sexual Harassment Reforms – What They Mean For Employers

6 March 2023

Recent anti-discrimination and Fair Work amendment legislation has introduced a number of important legislative changes specifically targeting sexual harassment in the workplace. Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers provides a recap of the changes and their implications for employers.

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1970-01-01

ACA EAP – Member-Only Offer

23 January 2023

ACA members are invited to join the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Trial, which delivers a high-quality EAP at a fraction of the cost. The EAP service is available from LifeWorks, a trusted mental health and wellbeing partner to over 15,000 organisations around the world.

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1970-01-01

Fair Work Amendment Act – An Overview

7 December 2022

The Federal government’s recent workplace relations reform legislation, first introduced six weeks ago, passed both houses of parliament and is due to come into law imminently. Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers provides an overview of the legislation amendments and their implications for employers.

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1970-01-01

Employment Agreement Templates – User Guide

5 December 2022

This User Guide is a companion to the ACA Employment Agreement Templates, offering advice on how to best use these templates within practice. Topics include pay rates, allowances, amending Schedule A, amending the contract, adding a position description and re-issuing contracts to existing employees.

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1970-01-01

Paid Family & Domestic Violence Leave Entitlements

17 November 2022

On 9 November, the Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2022 received royal assent. This legislation introduces paid family and domestic violence leave to all employees as an entitlement under the National Employment Standards. Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers provides the following update for ACA members.

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1970-01-01

2022 Annual General Meeting

11 November 2022

The Association of Consulting Architects Australia will hold its 2022 Annual General Meeting online on Monday 12 December 2022 at 4.30pm AEST to approve the 2022 General Purpose Financial Report.

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1970-01-01

Pandemic Delays & Supply Chain Cost Increases

4 August 2022

The member-only special conditions available for download are designed to be incorporated into Schedule 2a of ABIC contracts. They deal with construction delays resulting from the COVID pandemic, and increases in the costs of certain building materials.

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1970-01-01

Legal overview of WA’s WHS changes

9 May 2022

Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers provides an overview of the new WHS laws brought into effect in WA in March 2022. Practices need to be aware that there are potentially significant changes to the way that safety in design is dealt with under the new WHS legislation.

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1970-01-01

Industrial Relations – FAQs

21 September 2021

At the ACA we are here to help you understand your industrial relations obligations. This FAQ article, prepared by Fair Work Lawyers for ACA members and updated in November 2024, is designed to answer your commonly asked questions. It covers the Award system, minimum rates, ordinary hours of work, probation periods, annual leave and casual employees.

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1970-01-01

Management for Design FAQs

29 November 2020

Management for Design responds to some frequently asked questions for ACA members, covering everything from strategic plans and building a team, to resource and project management, profitability and financial control, and the critical ingredients to successful leadership.

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1970-01-01

Business Advisory

24 October 2020

ACA members have access to financial and business management support through an advisory service from Management for Design.

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1970-01-01

Industrial Relations Advisory

24 October 2020

ACA member practices can access a 15-minute consultation with Fair Work Lawyers on employment matters and industrial relations issues.

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1970-01-01

Legal Advisory

24 October 2020

ACA members have the opportunity to access 20 minutes of legal advice from one of the senior members of the Moray & Agnew team.

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1970-01-01

HR Policy Templates 2023

30 September 2020

The ACA is delighted to release an updated and expanded suite of HR Policy Templates to support our members. Comprehensive and written in plain English by our HR advisors Catalina Consultants, the documents can be readily tailored to suit the needs of specific practices.

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1970-01-01

High Court Decision about Personal Leave

14 August 2020

Tom Earls from Fair Work Lawyers summarises the findings of an important high court decision about personal leave accrual for ACA members.

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1970-01-01

Clerks Award - An Explainer

31 July 2020

The various classifications of the Clerks Award can cause confusion. Tom Earls of Fair Work Lawyers clears up some common areas of conflict.

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1970-01-01

Effective Leadership with Remote Teams

6 April 2020

Robert Peake, principal of Management for Design, offers his top tips for effective leadership with remote teams, including setting clear expectations and following through, giving trust freely, and managing achievement, not time.

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1970-01-01

Force Majeure Special Conditions

26 March 2020

Special conditions for the ABIC SW and ABIC MW contracts introduce the concept of Force Majeure. These special conditions were updated and reissued in early July 2022.

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1970-01-01

Special Conditions for ABIC BW 2018 C

6 May 2019

Special conditions allow the ABIC Commercial Basic Works Contract to be adapted for use on small residential projects in New South Wales.

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1970-01-01

Novation - A Guide for Architects

17 April 2019

Novation can create confusion for architects and builders alike. Christopher Larcos offers a legal primer to the contractual rights and obligations of a novated project.

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1970-01-01

Short Form Client Architect Agreement

11 March 2019

Just three pages and a cover letter, the ACA Short Form Client Architect Agreement is a fair and balanced model contract for use on small- to medium-sized projects. Updated December 2023.

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1970-01-01

2018 Salary Survey Findings

17 August 2018

The findings of the 2018 National Salary Survey, with analysis by Dr Gill Matthewson, are now out. There is still a gender pay gap and some practices persist in paying under Award minimums!

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1970-01-01

Guide Agreements – Individual Flexible Arrangements

12 November 2017

The ACA Guide IFA Agreement provides member practices with a guide document to review and adjust to suit their particular practice.

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1970-01-01

Guide Agreements – time off in lieu and cashing out leave

12 November 2017

The ACA provides new Guide Agreements to assist members meet their obligations under recent changes to the Architects Award.

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1970-01-01

2017 Salary Survey - Findings

31 May 2017

The findings of the 2017 National Salary Survey, with analysis by Dr Gill Matthewson, are now out - salaries are up very slightly, but worrying trends continue for the third year. There is still a gender pay gap and some practices persist in paying under Award minimums!

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1970-01-01

Safe Design Proformas

30 August 2016

The ACA's Safe Design Proformas help architects to meet their obligations under the Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and state-specific regulations.

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1970-01-01

Roof Access Checklist

13 August 2016

ACA - SA has developed a model checklist for roof access on site inspections.

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1970-01-01

2015 Salary Survey Report and Analysis

17 July 2015

The ACA has released the report on findings of the 2015 National Salary Survey. This outlines the broad trends identified this year and compares these to the results from the previous two years.

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1970-01-01

Professional Services Subcontract

10 February 2015

The Professional Services Subcontract (updated December 2023) is available for members to use when a back-to-back agreement is required with the Lead Consultant.

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1970-01-01

2014 Salary Survey Findings

8 June 2014

The ACA is pleased to release a report on findings of the first two iterations of the National Salary Survey.

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