In a significant step towards environmental protection and public health, the Australian Government has introduced new regulations targeting a specific group of persistent industrial chemicals known as PFAS – per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. In December 2023, the...
Wage theft involves underpaying an employee’s rightful wages and other entitlements. It robs workers of their income and undermines the fundamental principles of fair work. In response to these issues, the Commonwealth government has introduced laws to criminalise the...
As the United States enforces a minimum 10 per cent tariff on all Australian exports, the Australian Furniture Association (AFA) is calling on Australians to actively support local industries and choose Australia first by purchasing genuine Australian made products....
Australian furniture retailers may soon face an unexpected challenge not from competitors or supply chains, but from legislation targeting digital platforms. The federal government is preparing to use its powers under the News Media Bargaining Code to formally...
Personal Income Tax Measures: The Government intends to implement new tax cuts for individual taxpayers in the 2027 and 2028 income years. The 16% tax rate applicable to incomes between $18,201 and $45,000 is proposed to be reduced to 15% from 1 July 2026. This rate...
The Australian Consumer and Competitions Council (ACCC) advise that the Toppling furniture MANDATORY information standard will apply from 4 May 2025 A mandatory information standard has been introduced to ensure suppliers provide safety warnings to consumers about the...
A law passed in 2022 is about to bring big changes in 2025. The Privacy Act amendments introduce tougher rules on how businesses collect and handle customer data. What used to be a concern mainly for large corporations is now something every furniture business, big or...
The Australian Furniture Association (AFA) proudly announces the release of The Architects and Specifiers Guide to Furniture (Version 1) – March 2025. This comprehensive guide is designed to help manufacturers and suppliers directly engage with architects, interior...
The Australian Furniture Association (AFA) is proud to announce the EXCLUSIVE partnership with leading tender and grant support consultancy, Tender Plus. Set to provide AFA Members with discounted, expert services designed to enhance their ability to secure government...
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling misleading sustainability claims, naming greenwashing enforcement a top priority in its 2025-26 Compliance and Enforcement Priorities Update. With consumers and...
The Australian Furniture Association is often supporting industry in relation to ‘bidding for work’. The AFA receives a flurry of emails whenever we provide advance notice of Tender opportunities, requesting ‘AFA Support Letters’ and it is OBVIOUS that we don’t always...
Does your HR Manager know about the Australian Furniture Association’s Jobs Board? A new year and Staff attrition is a common occurrence as people reassess their lives over the break. AFA Members say that Staff recruitment and retention is one of our industries...
The Australian Furniture Association advises that the updated Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management has been published on the Federal Register of Legislation to include standards for: Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Polychlorinated...
Online scams have been around for a long time. Spotting a suspicious looking email dotted with spelling mistakes and bad grammar is easy BUT, we don’t usually expect the scam to involve people or businesses that we deal with on a regular basis or would otherwise...
‘Architects are time-poor, have their reputations to consider in terms of the recommendations they make, and have a vested interest in being able to select pre-vetted furniture using a “how to” guide with a minimum of fuss,’ says Architect, Micheal Smith...
The Australian Furniture Association (AFA) highlights the importance of employers in the furniture industry being well-versed in appropriate interview practices to ensure fairness and legal compliance during recruitment. An employer’s potential liability for workplace...
A recent study by Monash University is on point for Australian Furniture Association Members to consider. It’s an Australian based survey sitting against the local economic backdrop – so directly relevant to Australian businesses. The study found that 46% of...
We know about fast fashion and fast food, Industries that have come under scrutiny for their environmental and societal impacts. Now, fast furniture -marked by cheap, disposable, and mass-produced imported items – is creating a similarly harmful footprint. As we...
The Australian Furniture Association (AFA) believe employers and employees in our industry must understand their rights and obligations regarding working hours. AFA Partner, Archer Thompson, specialise in commercial law, and delve into what constitutes reasonable or...
Archer Thompson presents an insight on best practices for hosting end-of-year workplace celebrations. Long time AFA Partners, Richard Thompson and his team, provide practical advice and support to risk adverse companies. End of year gatherings present an excellent...
The Australian Furniture Association commends the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) introduction of the Consumer Goods (Toppling Furniture) Information Standard 2024, which will come into effect on 4 May 2025. This new standard addresses...
