The ‘Back to Work’ program provides financial and non-financial support to Queensland employers and job seekers who are facing disadvantages. Employers have access to two support payments: •Youth Boost ($20,000): To hire a jobseeker aged 15-24 who was...
The AFA is excited to announce on behalf of the Australian government that a total of 50 events will be held in regional and remote communities throughout May as part of Queensland Small Business Month, thanks to the Queensland Government’s Regional Networker Grants...
The AFA has received some advice from the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training on protecting your brand. Tip 1: Use IP Australia’s TM Checker before investing significantly in your brand to: search for existing trademarks similar to your name, phrase...
The AFA has received some advice from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) about sharing tips to help your business meet its tax obligations to avoid paying unnecessary interest (currently 11.38%) and penalties. Set up a separate bank account for pay-as-you-go (PAYG)...
The AFA reminds QLD AFA members to reach out to the Department during Queensland Small Business Month (QSBM) this May. QSBM will celebrate the 482,000 small businesses operating across our state. QSBM recognises it takes considerable dedication to run a business...
The AFA will be watching this closely over the coming months to as the Australian timber supply chain is preparing for life after native hardwoods, with manufacturers now importing boatloads of 40-foot containers of American hardwoods to keep up with record demand. ...
Global concerns over resource scarcity, environmental impacts, and economic sustainability have led to a paradigm shift in business models in recent years. The Circular Economy (CE) concept has emerged as a solution to address these challenges. Unlike the traditional...
AFA CEO, Patrizia Torelli, has been monitoring the “Tech Investment” conversation for some time and wants to bring this conversation to the attention of AFA our partners and members. The Australian Financial Review reports on this phenomenon, and the AFA...
The Australian Furniture Association welcomes its newest Members and Business Service Partners. They join the growing voice of the industry and leaders who enjoy business services, networking, and stakeholder opportunities to grow, promote and protect Australia’s...
The Australian Furniture Association (AFA) strongly supports the announcement of a ground-breaking initiative aimed at enhancing the nation’s familiarity with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Through this initiative, one million Australians will have access to AI...
Vicarious liability occurs when an employer becomes liable for negligent acts or omissions by their employee ‘in the course of employment’, regardless of whether the employer permitted the employee’s actions. Employers must ensure their employees always act safely and...
BackgroundPowder coating technology has roots tracing back 70 years, primarily in the USA. While it brings many improvements over pre-existing coating methods, its waste also presents the global industry with a significant environmental challenge. In 2020, estimates...
The AFA has received a client request for expressions of interest from Australian companies to supply services to a niche furniture design company in NSW. Suppliers MUST meet the criteria below. Services Required: CNC cutting of shelving in hardwood Min. machine...
The Australian Furniture Association announces four recommendations for sustainable government procurement of furniture. Furniture accounts for 8.5 million tonnes of office furniture waste annually. The Australian National Audit Office found that between 1 July 2017...
The AFA encourage our members to support the Queensland government in their short survey to help support employers, industries, and communities to meet workforce needs through initiatives, programs and support addressing current and emerging workforce priorities. To...
The Australian Furniture Association announces four recommendations for sustainable government procurement of furniture.Furniture accounts for 8.5 million tonnes of office furniture waste annually. In 2021-22, Government spending in Australia accounted for 26.8% per...
And so another year has begun and the outlook is very positive for the furnishing industry. In 2024 we hope to see a continued reduction in ‘poor quality’ furnishing product recalls and an increase in quality products that meet our very high Australian Standards....
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been scoping more effective risk controls to prevent injuries and deaths caused by toppling furniture. This included publishing an Issues Paper in August 2021 and a Consultation Impact Assessment in May...
The Australian Furniture Association is excited to announce, on behalf of The Victorian Skills Authority within the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, is seeking to improve the Victorian Skills Plan. Background from The Victorian Skills Authority:The...
Today’s HOT TOPIC is TRAINING. The newly appointed skills organisation, Skills Insight, is reaching out for our industry’s feedback on WOOD MACHINING QUALIFICATIONS. This SURVEY is critical to our industry. Background from Skills Insight: Changes to the MSF Furnishing...
Australia’s largest hardwood timber manufacturer is accelerating production, now importing thirty or more 40-foot containers of American hardwoods monthly to compensate for locked-up Victorian hardwoods. Known as “Glacial Oak”, the new American Oak (Q. rubra) is...
