History

Built by Industry for IndustryWhile the Association’s origins can be traced to furniture industry groups operating in the early 1900s, it was formally incorporated in 1948 as the Furniture Industry Association of Australia (FIAA).

Past Presidents of the FIAA include Jack Parker, Doug Jackson, John Chiswell, Ern McCain, Peter J Van Treight, David Hoare and more recently Ron Scott and Fred White. True icons of the industry.

In the 1960’s and 1970’s FIAA notably accomplished:

• Drafted the Furnishing Trades Award with the Industry Committee
• Got the removal of ‘limitation’ on furniture factory overtime by the Minister for Labor and Industry
• Lobbied for plywood and veneers not exceeding 4mm thick be admitted into Australia duty free
• Members of the Employers Federation Committee
• Application was presented to have import quotas imposed and developing country preferences removed in respect of banana chairs
• Negotiated for a voluntary agreement on a flammability standard for upholstered furniture

Through the end of the century, into the new millennium and beyond:

• Were and are still heavily involved in reforming Home Warranty Insurance for our industry
• The creation of FIAA Guild Apprenticeship scheme to provide the industry with flexible delivery of apprenticeship and traineeship training. FIAA (now ACFA) is the industry’s preferred Registered Training Organisation
• We were instrumental in reforming the training system to the industry-friendly competency-based training of today
• Previously owned and ran the Australian International Furniture Fair, one of the oldest exhibitions in Australia
• Provided the industry with OH&S and Workers Compensation reform with the Premium Discount Scheme
• Negotiated the industry’s ‘Action Agenda’ that sponsored overseas industry experts in ‘Lean’ techniques and thinking
• Has regularly tested imported flat packs to ensure compliance to Australian Standards
• Involved in the re-writing of the Kitchen Assembly/Kitchen Installation Australian Standard
• Successfully lobbied for the removal of Home Warranty Insurance in NSW for Stand-alone Cabinetry

Moving into the Next Generation

The 70th Anniversary of FIAA in 2018 also saw the merger with the Cabinet Makers and Designers Association (CMDA), with the launch of ACFA.

Through funding granted by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training, FIAA across 2018 and 2019 successfully ran a mentoring program for 1st and 2nd Year Apprentices. Titled Industry Specialist Mentoring for Australian Apprentices (ISMAA), this mentoring saw an increase in apprentices completing their training and helped them get a solid foundation towards a long-term career in our industry.

A recent achievement the ACFA Team looks back upon is their COVID Response across 2020 and 2021. ACFA spent countless hours confirming details of restrictions and making enquiries with the government for each state. ACFA provided the support businesses needed to continue to operate in the correct manner. A record number of phone calls with the Workplace Advice Team and email communications sent highlight the dedication the association has to the industry.

Dean Brakell, CEO of ACFA, marked the occasion by reflecting on the work undertaken to represent and advocate for the industry. “Over the years ACFA has been privileged to be recognised at higher levels of Government with our work with SafeWork, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Home Builders Insurance. Our sector of manufacturing in Australia needed an association that represented the unique aspects of our industry, and that is what ACFA has done.”

ACFA and KBDi come together

On 1 July 2025, ACFA merged with the Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute (KBDi).

The merger brought cabinetmakers, manufacturers, suppliers and designers into a stronger national industry network, connecting the industry from concept to completion. KBDi continues as a division of ACFA, retaining its strong identity and focus on supporting kitchen and bathroom designers.

Together, ACFA and KBDi provide members with broader industry representation, workplace and technical support, professional development, events, awards and opportunities to connect across the design and manufacturing sectors.

AWISA members support merger with ACFA

In late 2025, members of the Australian Woodworking Industry Suppliers Association (AWISA) voted in favour of merging with ACFA.

Taking effect in January 2026, the decision marked another significant step towards a more connected industry, bringing manufacturers, designers and suppliers under a coordinated national structure. The merger will strengthen industry representation, advocacy, member support and opportunities for future trade initiatives.

With AWISA representation on the ACFA Board, discussions continue regarding how ACFA can best serve our supplier members moving forward.

Continuing to represent a changing industry

From its early foundations in furniture manufacturing to the broader industry it represents today, ACFA x KBDi has continued to respond to changing technology, business conditions, workforce needs and government regulation.

ACFA x KBDi remains committed to supporting Australian businesses, developing a skilled workforce, raising industry standards and giving the cabinetmaking, furniture, joinery, design and supplier sectors a stronger national voice.