Put your projects into the spotlight by submitting them into the 2024 ACFA Industry Awards. 

There are many great ways to put your company and projects in the spotlight to help build your brand and attract future customers. 

The Entries Deadline is fast approaching with projects due 31st July 2024:

Winners will again be featured in the Kitchen Bathroom Quarterly Magazine‘s Summer Edition+ across other media channels to put a spotlight on our winners!

Boost your social media presence as your projects are featured across ACFA’s, Sponsors + Your own Social Media Channel

Leverage your Achievements by using the ACFA finalist/winner logo to enhance your business’s credibility and attract new clients through your marketing materials and digital platforms.

Increase your business’s online visibility. Being a finalist or winner can enhance your brand’s presence on various digital platforms, drawing attention from potential clients and industry professionals alike – just like Divine Kitchens did last year

Project Eligibility:

• Broad Eligibility: Open to projects completed between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, including those not previously entered.
• Reappraise Past Projects: A chance to submit projects that missed last year’s deadline.

In a recent initiative aimed to enlighten career advisors about the potential career paths within the cabinet, joinery, and furniture industry, the Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA) (RTO: 90432) hosted an inspiring tour at Castlewood Kitchens, in Western Sydney. This tour, the first of its kind for ACFA, was part of a broader effort to showcase the vibrant career opportunities available to young aspirants through a Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology (MSF30322).

The tour saw career advisors from various schools in the area immerse themselves in the day-to-day operations of Castlewood Kitchens, a prominent member of ACFA. The advisors gained firsthand insight into the intricate world of cabinet making, highlighting not just the craftsmanship involved but also the technological and design skills that are integral to the industry.

Geoff Dickson, one of the attendees, praised the initiative as a “great opportunity” and expressed a keen interest in bringing students to witness the process firsthand, possibly integrating it into vocational education and training (VET) programs. He suggested, “It would be great to have a forum at the college with Year 10 students before they select their subjects for Year 11.” Dickson also highlighted the potential of having ACFA representatives like Glen speak to students, especially to those who might not have direct familial ties to the trades, to broaden their horizons regarding career possibilities.

Nashwa Karafotias from St Agnes Catholic High School found the day “extremely informative” Karafotias also recommended that students currently working in the industry should visit schools to speak about their experiences, thereby making the industry more relatable to younger students.

A significant takeaway for the advisors was the list of potential employers provided by ACFA, which is a valuable resource for guiding students towards meaningful employment opportunities in the industry. The combination of witnessing the work environment and hearing directly from apprentices and seasoned professionals offered a comprehensive view of the industry’s appeal and the robust support system available to newcomers.

The Career Advisor Tour by ACFA at Castlewood Kitchens represents a pivotal step in opening doors for future generations to consider trades and industries that they might not have previously contemplated. By connecting educational professionals directly with the realities of the industry, ACFA is ensuring that more students are aware of and can access the fulfilling career opportunities that lie in the fields of cabinet making, joinery, and furniture production. This initiative not only enlightens but also inspires, paving the way for a new wave of skilled craftsmen and women who will shape the future of this vibrant industry.

Many ACFA members may not be fully aware of the comprehensive services offered by our Energy Partner, Choice Energy, one of which is bill validation. This service ensures that all charges on your energy bills are accurate and helps members avoid any unnecessary overcharges.

A notable example of the effectiveness of Choice Energy’s bill validation service can be seen with one of their members, Romeo’s Retail Group. Recently, Choice Energy identified a significant overcharge amounting to $50,000 by Romeo’s energy retailer. If this error had gone unnoticed, it could have resulted in an additional cost of $150,000 for Romeo’s over the course of the year. Since notifying the retailer, this amount has now been credited back to Romeo’s.

The effectiveness of Choice Energy’s services extends beyond bill validation though, especially in this case study. Their energy broking services have also been instrumental in achieving substantial savings for Romeo’s Retail Group, resulting in Choice finding savings of $2.8 million for the Independent Supermarket Retailer. This significant figure highlights the value of Choice Energy’s expertise and commitment to optimising energy expenses for their members.

We believe this information is worth sharing because it highlights the potential for significant cost savings that any of our members could access through Choice Energy’s services. Whether through bill validation,energy broking or commercial solar, Choice Energy’s services could help prevent overcharges and optimize energy costs, ensuring that members only pay for the energy they use and at the most competitive rates available.

July and August are crucial months for reviewing your energy bills, as retailers implement rate increases at the start of the new financial year, it is essential to assess your bills to ensure you’re securing the best rates for your business for the months ahead.

Don’t miss this opportunity to safeguard your business against unnecessary expenses, upload your bill for review here or contact Partnership Relationships Coordinator Amelia via email amelia.pinkard@choiceenergy.com.au or call her on 0413 874 116.

Safe Work Australia has published new guidance to assist persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) understand their work health and safety obligations relating to the engineered stone ban, which comes into effect on 1 July 2024.

Please note that some States/Territories have transitional periods,  for specific details about the implementation of the engineered stone prohibition in your jurisdiction, including the commencement date and any applicable transitional arrangements, please refer to the Safe Work Australia website via the button below to view links to each jurisdiction:

The guidance provides information for PCBUs about:

• The scope of the ban
• Permitted work for repair, removal, minor modification and disposal of legacy engineered stone.
• Notification of work with legacy engineered stone.
• Exemptions from the prohibition.
• Their duties under the national notification framework to notify the WHS regulator before carrying out any permitted work with legacy engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs
• Their duties to ensure controlled processing of sintered stone, porcelain products and, where permitted, engineered stone, and
• The national exemption framework, including the process and requirements for seeking an exemption from the ban for a type of engineered stone where there is compelling evidence that the stone can be worked with safely.

Safe Work Australia has also updated the existing National Exemption Framework – Guide for applicants for exemptions and National guide for working with crystalline silica and crystalline silica containing products to reference the engineered stone ban.

Please also note that each jurisdiction will develop their own Form for Notification of Permitted Work with Legacy Engineered Stone and Engineered stone prohibition: Guidance for PCBUs based on Safe Work Australia’s model versions.
 
ACFA will update members when these forms become available for each jurisdiction, and would encourage members to follow our social media platforms as well as check our website.

Learn more about the ban, including frequently asked questions and jurisdictional transitional arrangements, on the engineered stone ban website.

ACFA Members

ACFA members, can contact our Workplace Advice Team for assistance in relation to employment matters which may impact your business.

Members can also view and download resources from the ACFA Member Portal WHS/ Crystalline Silica Tab – please remember to enter your username and password to be able to access the member only resources

FREE SafeWork NSW Online Workshop – 17th July 2024

SafeWork NSW is continuing to offer free online workshops designed for construction site supervisors to further develop their understanding of their obligations for managing work health and safety (WHS) at the worksite. The workshop also helps supervisors recognise and manage the major harms associated with the building and construction industry

This workshop will develop your skills so that you:

• understand which products contain Crystalline silica in the workplace
• understand how crystalline silica can harm workers
• understand how to protect yourself and workers from exposure to Crystalline silica
• understand the health monitoring and notification requirements

This workshop is designed for anyone who:

• is employed as a construction site supervisor, manager, foreman, etc
• formally or informally supervises less experienced workers

Construction Site Supervisors have critical responsibilities and duties for health and safety on a construction or building site. This virtual workshop is designed for you to learn from our experienced team of Safety Inspectors. Let’s make safety easy.

Participation in these workshops may contribute to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) subject to criteria set by Fair Trading NSW.

Please email us at construction@safework.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions or would like further information.

We look forward to seeing you at one of the workshops.

Furniture suppliers will be required to provide safety warnings to consumers about the dangers of toppling furniture, after the Assistant Treasurer, the Hon. Stephen Jones, made a new information standard for toppling furniture, the Consumer Goods (Toppling Furniture) Information Standard 2024.

This new standard applies to certain types of furniture and will require suppliers to attach a permanent warning label to furniture; include safety information and advice about anchoring furniture in manuals and assembly instructions; and provide warnings about the hazards of toppling furniture in furniture stores and online.

Suppliers must comply with these requirements from 4 May 2025.

Products the mandatory standard applies to

Freestanding household furniture can be dangerous if it falls or topples over.

Warnings and safety information must be provided when supplying these 3 categories of furniture.

Category 1

A clothing storage unit or bookcase with a height of 686 mm or more. A clothing storage unit is an item of furniture intended to primarily store clothes. It has one or more doors or drawers.

Category 2

Entertainment units of any height typically used for housing televisions, home theatre systems or gaming consoles.

Category 3

Hall tables, display cabinets, buffets, and sideboards with a height 686 mm or greater.

Products the mandatory standard does not apply to

The mandatory standard excludes:

• furniture that was bought by a consumer and is being resold
• second-hand furniture, including furniture that was previously bought and used commercially
• furniture designed to be fastened to a wall or other structure and that can’t be used unless it’s attached.

On Friday 10 May 2024, WHS ministers agreed to 2 sets of amendments to the model WHS Regulations, which will help protect workers from silicosis caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

These amendments give effect to the engineered stone ban from 1 July 2024 and provide further regulation of all materials containing crystalline silica from 1 September 2024.

The first set of amendments to the model WHS Regulations includes 2 new national frameworks relating to the implementation of the engineered stone ban, one for notifying a WHS regulator about permitted work with legacy engineered stone and the other for applications for exemptions for certain types of engineered stone, from 1 July 2024.

The second set of amendments will give effect to stronger regulation of all materials containing crystalline silica, from 1 September 2024.

Individual jurisdictions must make the amendments within their respective work health and safety laws to implement the ban in their jurisdiction from 1 July 2024 and the stronger regulation of all materials containing crystalline silica from 1 September 2024.

Western Australia and South Australia will have transitional arrangements in place from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024. Queensland and Victoria will not have a transitional period for the ban, with all other jurisdictions yet to confirm. For an outline of timelines, an overview of jurisdictional transitional arrangements, links to jurisdiction-specific resources, and frequently asked questions, please click the link below to the Safe Work Australia engineered stone ban website:

Safework Australia are also currently developing guidance to support PCBUs understand how the amendments to the model WHS Regulations will affect them. It is expected this guidance will be released by Safework Australia in early June 2024 to assist PCBUs and workers understand and comply with the engineered stone ban, ahead of the 1 July 2024 implementation.

To read the full details of the communique from the WHS ministers meeting click the link below:

ACFA will continue to keep the industry updated in relation to the ban on engineered stone and will continue to raise our industry challenges through representation on the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Work Health and Safety Committee and Silica Reference groups.

If you haven’t already done so, ACFA would encourage you to speak with your supplier on alternative options as more options continue to become available that may suit your business or customers. 

ACFA Members

ACFA members, can contact our workplace advice team for assistance in relation to employment matters which may impact your business.

Members can also view and download resources from the ACFA Member Portal WHS/ Crystalline Silica Tab – please remember to enter your username and password to be able to access the member only resources

Please contact our workplace advice team either by email at membership@acf.net.au or phone our toll-free number on 1300 342 248.

Why Enter the ACFA Industry Awards?

• Showcase Excellence: Display your outstanding projects and skilled team members, highlighting your commitment to quality and innovation.
• Achieve National Recognition: Gain acknowledgment for your achievements within the industry, setting your business apart.

Marketing and Promotion:

• Benchmark Excellence: Compare your efforts with peers and competitors to showcase your industry leadership.
• Enhanced Visibility: Increase business awareness through extensive marketing opportunities and media exposure.
• Media Features: Have your business and achievements prominently featured in: Industry magazines ACFA’s Award Digital Magazine ACFA’s newsletters, website, and social media channels

Networking Opportunities:

• Celebrate Success: Attend the prestigious Awards Presentation and Gala Dinner. This event is not only a great opportunity to showcase your business achievements but also serves as a fantastic morale booster for your team.
• Build Connections: Network with industry leaders and peers, opening doors to new collaborations and opportunities. These connections can provide new ways to work together, find suppliers, or get advice that really makes a difference to help your business stand out.

Exclusive Rights:

• Leverage Achievements: Use the ACFA finalist/winner logo to enhance your business’s credibility and attract new clients on your marketing materials and digital platforms.

Additional Visibility:

• Continuous Promotion: Enjoy ongoing promotion through ACFA’s media releases and social media activities before and after the Awards Dinner, maximising exposure.
• Enhanced Online Presence: Increase your business’s online visibility. Being a finalist or winner can enhance your brand’s presence on various digital platforms, drawing attention from potential clients and industry professionals alike.

Project Eligibility:

• Broad Eligibility: Open to projects completed between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, including those not previously entered.
• Reappraise Past Projects: A chance to submit projects that missed last year’s deadline.

ACT NOW!

Early Bird Advantage: Nominate your projects and standout staff members before the Early Bird deadline to take advantage of discounted entry fees.

Enter the ACFA Industry Awards to shine a spotlight on what you and your team have achieved. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate your hard work and success— get your entries ready today!

Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA) to Showcase at the Inaugural Kitchen + Bath Show, Sydney 2024

The Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA) is excited to announce our partnership with the inaugural Kitchen + Bath Show, set to take place from 13th to 15th June 2024, in Sydney.

The Kitchen + Bath Show will be hosted alongside the esteemed ArchiBuild Expo and Design Show Australia, creating a powerhouse trio of events that promises to offer a diverse range and opportunity for industry professionals. The synergy of these co-located events will bring together a vast network of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, cabinet makers, joiners, designers, architects, fit-out specialists, and building professionals.

This event emerges from the evolution of the Kitchen + Bath Zone at Design Show Australia, now expanded into a dedicated showcase tailored to the expanding industry of kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and home storage in Australia.

The co-location of these events offers an immense value proposition, facilitating networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and access to the latest trends and innovations in interior design, architectural building products, and systems.

Attendees visiting the ACFA stand can look forward to engaging discussions, networking opportunities, and and discover how members have access to a wealth of knowledge and resources tailored to the unique needs of the cabinetmaking and joinery industries.

Featuring a diverse range of products – from appliances to tapware to components and fittings and everything in between, Kitchen + Bath offers a unique environment to learn, network and explore the latest trends and new products that push the boundaries of design, technology and innovation.

The ACFA Team will be on hand to offer advice, share industry updates, and discuss membership benefits that can help businesses navigate the complexities of the cabinetmaking and furniture industry.

ACFA’s New Business Finance course is designed with owners and managers of Cabinet and Furniture Making businesses in mind. 

Gain a deeper understanding to make educated decisions to ensure the best outcome for the growth of your business!

The ever changing landscape we operate has led ACFA to develop the first of multiple short business courses to empower business owners and managers to further their knowledge and take the time to understand their business in greater depth. 

Designed to be easy to understand with industry examples

Why Complete the course?

• Gain knowledge to make informed business decisions and plan for the future,
• Formulate plans for growth and manage fluctuations to avoid financial pitfalls
• Enables business owners to allocate resources efficiently
• Manage risks effectively by having all the right information,
• Communicate confidently with stakeholders, 
• Help your key employees understand what it takes to run a business.  
• Ensure your understand your responsibilities as a Director of a Business under the Corporations Act 2001 

This course utilises ACFA’s Online Learning Tools, meaning you can learn at your own pace in your own time. 

How can this course benefit Me?

This course is easily accessible for anyone looking to upskill in business finance, whether you have a basic understanding, new to running a business or want a refresher – this course has been designed to cater for all learning levels. 

Already have a strong understanding? This course is a great way to upskill and resource your team better by training senior employees and administration teams so they understand the factors that go into business decisions only makes your business stronger. 

Each Module takes between 1 & 2 hours to complete. This means you can progress at your own pace with one module at a time or undertake larger blocks – whatever suits your schedule best!

The exercises are designed to be thought provoking, allowing each person undertaking the course to use their experience to enable them to make changes across the business to save money, become more profitable and maximise cash flow.