From Cot Recalls to Compliance Culture: Why the Furniture Industry Must Act Before Regulators Do Recent product recalls continue to highlight a persistent and uncomfortable truth for the Australian furniture industry: non-compliance is not a fringe issue – it is...
With a competitive local market, Australian manufacturers wanting to scale their business are often advised to chase exports for business growth. It’s never as easy as it sounds, and this era has thrown up some particular challenges around geopolitics and...
The Australian Furniture Association (AFA), in partnership with the Australian Furnishing Industry Stewardship Council (AFISC), is driving a new national initiative recognising that the future of Australia’s furniture industry will not be shaped by manufacturers and...
The Australian Furniture Association welcomes Monarda to our community. Monarda’s approach is grounded in a simple but profound idea: that indoor living spaces can be enhanced through a meaningful connection with plants. Their mission is to create environments that...
With ongoing pressure on margins, rising compliance expectations, and continued global supply chain uncertainty, Australian furniture importers face a critical question: are you paying more duty than you should be? The Australian Furniture Association (AFA) invites...
Workshop invitation, April 2026: Share your thoughts on the challenges and opportunities to increase the use of recycled content in the furniture and fitout industries. The NSW Government has released the new NSW Recycled Content Reporting Guide, which sets out how...
If you missed the Grow. Promote. Protect. Forum 2026 – our flagship industry event that brought together leaders from across Australia’s furniture, forestry, materials and manufacturing sectors to explore the future of our industry – don’t worry! The...
EPISODE ONE At the opening of Grow. Promote. Protect. 2026, Patrizia Torelli, Group CEO of the Australian Furniture Association, delivered a clear message: We’re here to help you Save money Make money Stay out of jail The below audio is of the opening remarks from day...
What Schools Need to Know About Toppling Furniture Risks and Mandatory Labelling Toppling furniture is one of the most preventable hazards in Australian learning environments – yet it continues to cause serious injuries and, tragically, loss of life. Since 2000,...
The Australian Furniture Association has raised concerns about the growing risks associated with poor government procurement practices of furniture and furnishings, warning that inaction is contributing to regulatory exposure, supplier disputes, cost blowouts,...
As the Australian Furniture Association (AFA) and the Australian Furnishing Industry Stewardship Council (AFISC) continue to support a competitive, transparent, and consumer-focused furnishing sector, members should be aware of the latest compliance and enforcement...
Members of the Australian Furniture Association are invited to attend Biesse’s Material Days Sydney, an open-house event hosted by AFA member Biesse Australia, taking place from 25–27 March 2026 at the Biesse Material Hub in Wetherill Park, NSW. Running from...
As highlighted by the Australian Furniture Association, in healthcare and aged care environments, furniture is far more than a design decision – it directly influences comfort, mobility, safety and dignity every single day. For providers across Australia,...
As outlined in a recent Circle Economy article, 2025 marked a pivotal year for the circular economy in Europe. For the first time, a trio of sweeping regulations enshrine circularity into law—shifting it from an aspirational concept to a legal obligation: The EU...
Australia’s furnishing industry is evolving quickly. Customers, retailers and commercial buyers are asking more questions about materials, sourcing, durability and end-of-life outcomes. At the same time, sustainability claims are under greater scrutiny and businesses...
Shaping a Sustainable and Resilient Future for Australia’s Furnishing Industry The 2026 Grow. Promote. Protect. Forum brought Australia’s furnishing, forestry, materials and manufacturing leaders together for two days of strategic discussion, practical insight and...
Australia’s forests are vast, vital, and increasingly in the spotlight as policymakers, industry, and communities debate how best to manage these critical resources. The Australian Furniture Association agrees that responsible forest management is not just an...
Furniture businesses are being reminded that how products are described matters just as much as what is being sold. Recent enforcement action by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission against a furniture retailer highlights a broader compliance issue for...
By Richard Thompson, Archer Thompson Lawyers The general protections provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) are designed to protect individuals from unfair treatment and discrimination in the workplace. Understanding these provisions and how they protect your...
Australian furniture brands and manufacturers are operating in an environment of increasing scrutiny around ethical sourcing, timber legality, and supply chain transparency. Expectations from regulators, customers, and global markets continue to rise and as your...
The Australian Furniture Association (AFA) and the Australian Furnishing Industry Stewardship Council (AFISC) have once again prepared a joint 2026–27 Pre-Budget submission to the Australian Government, seeking targeted government investment to accelerate the delivery...
