Women in Consulting Leadership

Sydney Breakfast Forum  To bring about change within the upper echelons of the built environment consulting industry would be a significant step in advancing equality in this traditional and male dominated world and these business leaders are taking a big step...

Chinese Move to Certification of Wood Products

The Chinese government is moving to sustainable forest certification of wood products, both harvested at home and imported from other countries, officials told a conference on illegal logging in Beijing recently. That includes a crackdown on countries that don’t...

Axolotl Art Project

AFA Member and AFA partners, Axolotl, are also involved with art installations. As “Axolotl Art Projects” they were recently commissioned to produce this intricate glass artwork, drawn by eminent Chinese pop artist Jacky Tsai. The piece is on its way to be...

Dezeens favourite chairs from 2016

Dezeens favourite chairs from 2016  Designers are always reinventing the chair, and 2016 was no different. Deputy Editor Rima Sabina Aouf from Dezeen shares her favourites, including seats inspired by comics, a granite throne and a chair with its own micro-climate. To...

Furntech-AFRDI AGM: Discussion on the Australian Consumer Law

At the recent AGM of Furntech-AFRDI, delegates welcomed a guest speaker who gave a presentation on the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and how it affects the furnishing industry. Delegates were able to pose questions specifically related to their individual businesses,...

Venue Operators Beware

Are you buying furniture direct from China? Then you are considered the manufacturer in the eyes of the Australian Consumer Law. The Australian Furniture Association has been made aware of the serious financial and insurance risks to hospitality, conferencing and...

Colour Psychology

Step into the fascinating world of Colour Psychology with Award Winning Interior Decorators, Taryn Whitaker and Tracey McLeod, and discover a foolproof process for finding the ideal colour palette for every home and business. The powerful properties of colour are...

Australian Gaming and Hospitality Venue Operators Beware

Australian Venue Operators beware. Are you buying furniture direct from China? Then you are considered the manufacturer in the eyes of the Australian Consumer Law. The Australian Furniture Association has been made aware of the serious financial and insurance risks to...

Reduction in employment for Cabinet Makers?

At the recent Australian Furnishing Community of Practice Network (AFCoPN) meeting, Chris Arnold, Furniture and Cabinetmaking Department of Melbourne Polytechnic, shared this article from the newspaper, which is at odds with the experience of many AFA Member training...

West Australian Students Welcome Feedback

Furniture industry leaders are invited to check out the work of Curtin University graduating students in product, furniture, jewellery and fashion design. From opening night, Friday 9th December 2016  from 6pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm, visitors are encouraged to...

Aussies made 90 million more trips to the shops last financial year

The latest retail-themed State of the Nation reveals that Australians made 90 million more trips to bricks-and-mortar stores in the 2015/2016 financial year than they did in the year before that. For several years, Australians have been making fewer visits to retail...

Fringe benefits tax (FBT) implications for Christmas parties

When planning your Christmas party, it’s also important to consider any tax requirements.Generally, you won’t have to pay FBT if you host the Christmas party on your business premises, or keep the cost of the party to below $300 per person. Some Christmas parties can...

Workspace and the future

AFA Member ‘Workspace’ held their annual sales conference in Adelaide recently. Run over three-days they conducted numerous events across their home base of Adelaide. The theme of the conference “Future of the Workspace” included (READ MORE) a public event with a...

Repairs Before Home Selling Return Rewards

Taking a break over Christmas?… Looking to sell your house? – well, this is a great time to do some reno’s for a high return. Quick fixes before selling a home always pay off, but which home repairs bring the biggest return? Specific answers to this often-asked...

The Victorian Premier’s Design Awards Winners!

The Victorian Premier’s Design Awards were announced last night at the National Gallery of Victoria. The Awards recognise the best in Victorian Design and Innovation across eight categories, including Product Design, Fashion and Student Design (with two new...

Appliance Trends

Trends in home decor and appliances are constantly changing – silver, gold, copper, brass – the options are limitless. However, for 2017 it seems that sleek black stainless steel will replace the usual gleaming silver appliances around the home. This new...

Is your business Christmas ready?

If your business is retail-focused, you have one goal at this time of year and that is Christmas sales. November and December can account for 20% of annual sales for businesses, and for those AFA Members who have online stores this is for you too. You need to start...

NSW Accelerating Growth Loans Pilot

  Accelerating Growth Loans (AGL) is a NSW pilot program providing direct loans for emerging fast growth small to medium enterprises (SMEs) – otherwise known as Gazelles – with capital to address the barriers they face in accessing affordable finance. The...

Rise in Government funded VET student numbers

NCVER has reported that in the first six months to 30 June 2016, there were 849,700 students enrolled in the government-funded VET system (government-funded training delivered by TAFE and other government, community education and other registered providers). There was...