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...

The Impact of Disruption on International Trade

AFA has provided us with this interesting insight into global trade and logistics as they believe within next decade, it could be virtually unrecognisable from what we see today. Digital and physical disruption will change the way customers and suppliers connect, and...

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...

Review of Australian Mandatory Standard for Household Cots

The Australian Furniture Association (AFA) together with industry partners, regulatory bodies, and State and Federal Government share your concerns and that of the ACCC and consumers related to the emerging safety hazards and increased risk of injury and death of...

Furniture & TV Tip-Over Prevention Industry Code – Draft for Comment

The AFA, acting on behalf of our members and in our capacity as the national peak body, has contributed to a review and draft recommendation to the ACCC and Government in response to the issue of toppling furniture and televisions as a growing cause of child injuries...

VCE VET Furnishing PD

The VCAA is hosting a free program PD session in conjunction with the Australian Furniture Association on Wednesday 30 November 2016. We will be joined by Gary Dunshea from Manufacturing Skills Australia and will discuss in detail the implementation of the new...

Snapshot series: When will a contractor be considered an employee?

WorkCover Under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 a contractor/worker will be deemed any employee of the hirer if a contract is: · not principally for the provision of goods or equipment; and · at least 80% of the work is completed by the...