Association of Consulting Architects

Home / Community / Branches / ACA NSW/ACT / NSW/ACT President’s comment – July 2026 The first half of 2026 has confirmed what many NSW practices already sensed: the market is growing more complex and less predictable. Some practices report strong workflows, but others are contending with a declining pipeline, intensifying competition and sustained fee pressure, and the gap between stable practices and those under strain is widening. The pressures are no longer only commercial.

Home / Industrial Relations / Pay rates / Industrial Award Pay Rates 2026–2027 The Federal Industrial Award pay rates have been updated and are applicable from 1 July 2026. ACA members can log in to access award pay rates relevant to architectural practice today! The new award rates incorporate the minimum wage decision handed down by the Fair Work Commission on 2 June 2026. This year, modern award rates have increased by 4.75%.

Home / Community / Branches / ACA VIC/TAS / Embracing innovation in practice What are some of the most important business lessons you have learned? One of the most important lessons is that culture and business performance are deeply connected. Practices often focus on projects, clients and financial outcomes, but sustainable success comes from investing in people. I’ve also learned the importance of communication.

Home / News / Events / CPD / Events / CPD / Strengthening culturally respectful practice and engagement ACA WA warmly invites practitioners to a national webinar with Patrick Garlett-Forrest, a Whadjuk/Ballardong Noongar and Nanda Yamatji man, Associate Lecturer in Architecture at Curtin University, and Founder of Boorloo Indigenous Services.

Home / Community / Branches / ACA QLD/NT / QLD/NT President’s comment – July 2026 Six months into 2026, the challenges identified at the close of last year remain firmly in view, writes ACA QLD/NT Branch President Brett Hudson. ACA Pulse Check results confirm that practices across Queensland and the Northern Territory continue to navigate fee pressure, contractual risk and workforce challenges in an increasingly complex operating environment.

Home / News / Events / CPD / Partner content / 2026 Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication For the first time, the CDRF2026 International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF2026) is coming to Australia.

Home / News / Events / CPD / News / Coverforce Insurance testimonials In April 2026, the ACA was pleased to launch a new benefit specifically designed for ACA members – a combined Professional Indemnity (PI) and General Liability (GL) insurance initiative from specialist broker Coverforce. The new offer aims to provide members with a more consistent, transparent and sustainable approach to insurance at a time of enormous cost pressure for practices.

Home / Community / Branches / ACA QLD/NT / Beyond 2032: Brisbane’s Olympic legacy With the 2032 Olympics on the horizon, Brisbane is in the midst of an unprecedented period of transformation. Major infrastructure projects are reshaping the city, investment is flowing, and global attention is turning to Queensland’s capital. But when the flame is extinguished and the athletes have gone home, what remains?

Home / News / Events / CPD / News / 2026 Branch Elections – ACA seeks nominations If you have ever wanted to contribute, lead, support or just be part of the conversations of the peak body that represents you and your practice, now is the time to nominate as an ACA Branch committee member! Branch members have the opportunity to contribute to the ACA’s advocacy, leadership and industry initiatives, helping shape the future of architectural practice in Australia.

Home / Knowledge Hub / CPD webinars on demand / Business Intelligence systems in practice In this recorded webinar, Total Synergy panellists provide a practical introduction to business intelligence for architecture practices, focusing on how to use existing practice data to gain clearer visibility across customers, projects, people, finance, performance, opportunity, and risk. PURCHASE ON DEMAND Architecture practices generate large volumes of client, operational and project data.