Understand Fair Work’s leave changes and avoid $63,000 fines

Did you know that from the 29 July 2016, annual leave changes apply to any employee on one of the 112 updated awards or for those who are award/agreement free. Annual leave forms part of the National Employment Standards (NES) which applies to all employees covered by...

Proposed Hobart skyscraper soars to 180 metres in updated designs

Updated designs for a proposed skyscraper near Hobart’s waterfront have been submitted to the local council as part of the development application process. The new design calls for a 179.6-metre-tall tower with an angled roof occupying a smaller footprint than the...

The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture.

For lovers of all things design, this exhibition is for you. In celebration of the seventieth anniversary of the House of Dior, one of the world’s most prestigious couture houses, the National Gallery of Victoria presents The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute...

10 pieces of pet furniture that are actually stylish

Cat condos and dog beds can be awkward, cumbersome eyesores. Covered in matted beige carpet or crocheted gingham blankets, they tend to disrupt a room, no matter how stylish the rest of your furnishings are. What options are there for the more discerning decor and...

Concessional contributions caps to be slashed from July 2017

A reminder to all AFA Members, the Government has scrapped the over-50s concessional (before-tax) contributions cap of $35,000 from July 2017, and replaced it with a $25,000 cap. The government has also cut the general concessional contributions cap (for under-50s) to...

Transferring your family business

Are you planning to pass your family business to the next generation? Check out these tips to ensure a smooth transition. Did you know family run businesses account for 70% of all businesses in Australia! However, many people don’t know how to successfully hand over...

Productive Palette: How colour can influence workplace behaviour

For many offices, a lot of thought goes into design elements like desk and cubicle layout and lighting. But when it comes to colour, many companies default to white. Studies show colour can significantly influence our mood. Certain colours can excite, depress,...

2017 Victorian Premiers Design Awards open for entry

The search is on for the best in Victorian design and creativity. The annual Victorian Premier’s Design Awards celebrate Victorian designers and businesses that use design to create better products, services, businesses and ultimately a better state of Victoria. The...

Alice Springs Furniture designer wins Award

  Elliat Rich has won $20,000 for her piece “Place” in the new biennial awards presented by Stylecraft and Jam Factory. It is an awards program, open to Australian designers globally and to designers residing in Australia. “Place” will be...

Engaging Women in the Build Environment

If we are going to reach 50% women in leadership roles by 2025 in the Built Environment industries we need to work together in new and innovative ways. Continuing from the success of UNSW’s 2016 initiative, please join them for an evening with 20 Built...

The importance of ergonomics in a potentially hazardous workplace

Manufacturers’ Monthly spoke with Ted Dohrmann, managing director at Dohrmann Consulting based in Melbourne, about the importance of ergonomics in a potentially hazardous workplace in an industrial setting. Ergonomics is the science of fitting work to people....

4th International Green Interior Awards Night in Sydney – Winners

The AFA Congratulates all of the Winners of The International Green Interior Awards for 2017. This Awards program is in its 4th year and is the leading global awards program that is 100% focused on the integration and creation of green interior products, not...

Colour Palette for 2018

Thinking about redecorating next year and don’t know what colours to look for? Here’s a colour prediction for 2018, and if you do it now you will be ahead of the trends!

Australia Post finalises sale of Sydney’s General Post Office

Australia Post has announced that it has finalised the details of the sale of the Sydney General Post Office (GPO). At the same time, it said it would seek National Heritage listing for the GPO, “in recognition of its historical importance and to reinforce existing...