The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is an independent Commonwealth statutory authority whose role is to enforce the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and a range of additional legislation, promoting competition, fair trading and regulating national infrastructure for the benefit of all Australians.

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Crystal Consulting is the AFA’s preferred partner when it comes to consulting and digital management.

• Ecommerce
• Digital Transformation
• Business Management
• Digital Auditing

Hansens is an AFA preferred supplier in the Financial Services Category.

The Hansens Group is a unified team of accountants, financial planners, and mortgage brokers who work closely together to offer a complete package to suit their clients financial needs.

 Hansens pride themselves on being extraordinary and are recognised by the industry as the most innovative in their field, working towards financial freedom, business success, wealth creation and lifestyle rewards for their clients.

 Hansens provide advice across topics such as:

• The Superannuation System (including Salary Sacrifice)
• Lump Sum Payments on termination of employment (ETPs and other payments)
• Payment summaries
• Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT)
• TFN Declarations and Rates of Tax
• IAs or The Pay As You Go (PAYG) system
• The Business Activity System (BAS)
• Worker’s Compensation
• Payroll Tax
• Initial accounting and/or financial advice, by telephone or in conference, is complimentary for AFA Members.
• DISCOUNTED service rates are available for AFA Members and exclusive access to seminars conducted by Hansens is also available.

 AFA Members can learn more about Member discounts and Member Resources by visiting Member Resources page.

Hansens also conduct regular workshops and seminars on topics that are important to AFA Members.

 Not an AFA Member? Simply register HERE or contact us on membership@australianfurniture.org.au

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Treadstone is a consulting firm specialising in grant writing, business development, business plan writing and coaching. The team at Treadstone are passionate about working with Small Businesses and assisting them in the course of their everyday business to succeed in the domestic and global market place. Their unique point of difference is an enviable knowledge of federal and state grants and experience helping business prepare for competitive grants. Treadstone provide grant applications for over 100 businesses every year.

Treadstone specialises in the preparation and writing of grant applications. If you have an upcoming project and think you might be in need of assistance, then Treadstone would welcome the opportunity to assist your business.  AFA Members can access special rates for this service. Further, if you have a project that you would like to engage in and are unsure whether your business is eligible for government grant funding, then please contact the AFA.

Not an AFA Member? Simply register HERE or contact us on membership@australianfurniture.org.au

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Aitken Partners is an AFA preferred supplier in the Legal Services Category.

Aitken Partners provide legal advice to the association and its members. At the core of this alliance is the operation of a ‘Legal Help Desk’ for AFA Members.

The range of issues facing the Australian furnishing industry are expansive and often complex and the alliance with Aitken Partners provides much better and broader access to advice and service from a quality law firm.

The demand for legal services has increased dramatically over the past two years and Aitken Partners is a Premium Level Melbourne-based law firm offering a range of legal services to business and private clients. It has 11 principals and approximately 60 staff and a proud history dating back to the 1920s. Aitken Partners has Accredited Specialists in Workplace Relations, Tax Law, Property Law, Wills & Estates and Commercial Litigation.

In this national service to AFA Members, Aitken Partners collaborates with affiliate firms in the MSI Global Alliance to handle work with specific jurisdictions not covered by Federal or State Law, so that all AFA Members across Australia will receive equal access to the very valuable benefits on offer via the alliance.

DISCOUNTED Legal Services are available for AFA Members with complimentary initial consultations available. AFA Members can contact Aitken Partners on 1300 AFA LAW (1300 232 529) and quote the AFA Member Code to receive their DISCOUNTS.

AFA Members can learn more about Member discounts and Member Resources by visiting Member Resources.

Aitken Partners also conduct regular workshops and seminars on topics that are important to AFA Members.

Not an AFA Member? Simply register HERE or contact us on membership@australianfurniture.org.au

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Sharon Givoni Consulting is an AFA preferred supplier in the Legal Services Category.

 One of the Australian Furniture Association’s preferred suppliers of legal services, Sharon Givoni Consulting is a boutique law firm specialising in commercial law matters and intellectual property. They have extensive experience in the areas of furniture design, manufacturing, importing and retailing.  There are many ways to protect the intellectual property assets of your furniture designs and Sharon Givoni consulting has strong expertise in this area.

Their philosophy is simple: we turn your ideas into assets.

Legal issues that affect the Australian furnishing and design industry can be broad and varied challenging and we can assist including in the areas of:

• Design protection for furniture and other items
• Strategies to protect your designs
• Copyright licences and assignments
• Commercial agreements relating to furniture including manufacturing agreements and distribution agreements
• Social media and digital marketing agreements
• Website terms and conditions
• Labelling and packaging laws
• Consumer laws
• Defamation law
• Contractor agreements and employment matters

The alliance with Sharon Givoni Consulting allows you to access a well-established law firm that prides itself on giving cost effective and prompt advice.

• AFA Members have access to complimentary initial consultations and AFA Member discounted rates.

AFA Members can learn more about Member discounts and Member Resources by visiting Member Resources.

Sharon Givoni Consultants also conduct regular workshops and seminars on topics that are important to AFA Members.

Not an AFA Member? Simply register HERE or contact us on membership@australianfurniture.org.au

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Red Points is a technology company that provides the smart solution for brands and content owners to counterfeiting online and digital piracy. Red Points is the preferred brand protection partner in the sporting, entertainment, fashion & accessories, editorial, design and luxury industries, providing unique products across the entire digital spectrum.

To learn more about Red Points, please visit www.redpoints.com or lodge your enquiry HERE >

An online marketplace for everything for the home and office, used every day by Australians searching for products and services for their home or office.

A platform for independent retailers, designers and makers to cost effectively promote their business and services to this audience.

Sell online, advertise a service, book a consultation with a customer, or advertise your showroom.

Get your business in front of a large number of engaged consumers who are actively looking online to update, and upgrade their home.

AFA Members SAVE between 33%-50% OFF normal HoH membership packages.

• Unlimited enquiries from customers to drive offline sales
• A dedicated store page to showcase your business and your brand
• Sell online through the marketplace
• Build a fully e-commerce enabled website as a part of your subscription.
• Access to the Promotions Manager toolkit that allows you to easily create offers and discounts for customers
• Click & Collect, so if you want to take advantage of selling online without having to freight items, we can help you do that too.

The partnership between House of Home and the AFA entitles AFA members to all the benefits of being a part of House of Home, at a discounted price.

AFA Members can learn more about Member discounts and Member Resources by visiting Member Resources.

Not an AFA Member? Simply register HERE or contact us on membership@australianfurniture.org.au

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DID YOU KNOW THAT MANY FURNITURE PRODUCTS MUST MEET AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS AND BE TESTED ACCORDINGLY?

The Australasian Furnishing Research & Development Institute (AFRDI), also known as Furntech, is a technical organisation serving the interests of buyers and sellers of furnishings in Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

Furniture displaying the FURNTECH-AFRDI logos and certification marks carries an assurance of quality and high standards often demanded by consumers, retailers and sometimes by law.

WHAT IS FURNTECH-AFRDI?

AFRDI is a Registered Research Agency (RRA) which carries out testing for products in the high-risk development categories. AFRDI services may attract a tax rebate under the Australian government’s

Research and Development support program.

WHAT DOES FURNTECH-AFRDI DO?

Furntech-AFRDI has been operating since 1989 and provides testing and certification to manufacturers who sell quality furniture. This point of difference is recognised by consumers and wholesale buyers in a market where the only difference between two products, which may outwardly appear to be the same, can be verified as tested to the highest Australian Standards.

Australasian Furnishing Association Members enjoy significant discounts for AFRDI Testing * conditions apply

Not an AFA Member? Simply register HERE or contact us on membership@australianfurniture.org.au

SGS Furniture Testing Services

With furniture testing capabilities in China, Hong Kong and Vietnam, SGS can help furniture manufacturers, suppliers, importers and distributors to comply with Australia’s strict product safety and standards requirements. They help businesses deliver well-designed, functional, durable and safe products to customers. SGS have the furniture industry, regulatory and technical expertise to check a products’ compliance against relevant standards and specifications. AFA Members receive significant discounts for testing which can be used to promote compliant safe products to clients and consumers.

Not an AFA Member? Simply register HERE or contact us on membership@australianfurniture.org.au

Mandatory standards ensure that particular safety or information features on consumer products are made compulsory for legal supply. As a global service provider in the testing,

inspection and certification business, TUV Rheinland are able to offer AFA Members testing for a variety of products according to the standards and regulations for international markets. Our experts will be happy to provide you with further details as necessary.

Why TUV Rheinland?

Demonstrate your professionalism by choosing an independent, globally acting, renowned testing institute, save time and keep your costs down with our professional Service.

AFA Platinum and Importer Members (Australia Only) and AFA International Members (Global) enjoy significant discounts $$$ on TÜV Rheinland’s services to comply with Australian regulatory requirements.

Our Testing labs include TÜV Rheinland Shanghai , TÜV Rheinland Guangdong, TÜV Rheinland Shenzhen and TÜV Rheinland Hong Kong.

Not an AFA Member? Simply register HERE or contact us on membership@australianfurniture.org.au

As of the 1^st of January 2018, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources will cease the “soft start” audit period. Penalties for non-compliance will apply after this date.

The penalty for breaching the Act are as much as 5 years in jail and fines of 500 penalty units which in 2017 were equivalent to AUD $105,000.00.

The AFA has completed the development of the AFA Timber Due Diligence System, to assist Members with meeting their compliance requirements.

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions, which anyone importing Timber furniture or furnishing products should read to determine if they will be required to perform Due Diligence on imported products.

Illegal Logging Regulation : Frequently Asked Questions. READ MORE

Established in 2002, Responsible Wood* are pioneers in the development of certification standards for wood and wood products sourced from sustainably managed forests in Australia. Our standards provide guidance and accountability for forest managers, manufacturers and suppliers. We are committed to protecting and promoting Australia’s unique environments with standards that ensure a forest industry that is environmentally, socially, culturally and commercially sustainable.

Responsible Wood manage the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme which is underpinned by two Australian Standards®:

• Sustainable Forest Management (AS 4708)
• Chain of Custody for Forest Products (AS 4707)

Responsible Wood also manage the New Zealand Forest Management Scheme on behalf of the New Zealand Forest Certification Association (NZFCA). The Scheme is underpinned by two standards:

• Sustainable Forest Management (NZS AS 4708:2014)
• Chain of Custody (PEFC ST 2002:2013)

Both certification schemes are endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), the global authority on sustainable forest management.

Through certification, education and communication, Responsible Wood will develop demand for Australian wood products that are sourced using sustainable forest managed practices tailored to specific regions and environmental conditions. The Responsible Wood certification program provides confidence for consumers, differentiating certified Australian wood products, making them easier to buy.

*Responsible Wood, is a not-for-profit standards development organisation [formerly known as Australian Forestry Standard Ltd].

Not an AFA Member? Simply register HERE or contact us on membership@australianfurniture.org.au

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