ACFA Welcomes Government’s Housing Construction Apprenticeship Incentive

Calls for Clarity on Eligible Trades

The Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA) welcomes the Federal Government’s $626.9 million Housing Construction Apprenticeship Incentive Program, set to launch on 1 July 2025, providing $10,000 in staged incentive payments to eligible apprentices in the residential construction sector.

This initiative is a critical step in addressing Australia’s housing crisis, with a national target of 1.2 million new homes over five years, requiring an additional 90,000 skilled workers in the industry. ACFA strongly supports this investment in workforce development and the Government’s commitment to growing skilled trades.

ACFA has contacted Andrew Giles, Minister for Industry, Skills, and Training, along with Sussan Ley, Shadow Minister for Industry, Skills, and Training, requesting confirmation on whether the MSF30322 Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology will be included as an eligible apprenticeship under the program.

Cabinet Making: Essential to Construction and Recognised as a Priority Trade

Cabinetmaking is a fundamental trade within residential and commercial construction, responsible for essential interior elements such as kitchen joinery, bathroom vanities, wardrobes, and bespoke storage solutions. Without cabinetmakers, homes and commercial buildings cannot be completed to a functional and liveable standard.

Furthermore, cabinetmaking is already listed on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List, acknowledging its critical role in the construction industry and national skills demand. Apprentices training in priority occupations are eligible for additional financial support, reinforcing the need for cabinetmaking to be included in the Housing Construction Apprenticeship Incentive Program.

Clearer Guidelines Needed to Support Workforce Growth

ACFA urges the Government to expedite the announcement of eligible apprenticeships under this program to provide certainty for apprentices, employers, and training providers. Delayed clarification could result in missed opportunities to attract new entrants to the industry, making it harder to meet the Government’s housing targets.

Cabinetmakers are the finishing trade that brings homes to completion, and it makes absolute sense that the MSF30322 Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology is included in the incentive program. Without cabinetmakers, homes remain incomplete. The sooner we receive confirmation, the better we can support apprenticeship growth in this essential trade.

ACFA Stands Ready to Support the Implementation

As the leading industry body representing cabinetmakers, joiners, and the broader furniture industry, ACFA is committed to working with the Government and industry stakeholders to ensure apprentices in this vital trade receive the support they need.

ACFA commends the Government for investing in the skilled workforce needed to build Australia’s future, and we look forward to cabinetmaking apprentices being recognised under this initiative.

ACFA calls on the Government to provide clarity sooner than later on the eligibility criteria for apprenticeships under this incentive, ensuring cabinetmaking is rightfully included and apprentices are encouraged to enter and remain in the industry.

Dean Brakell

CEO
Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA)

RTO: 90432

Media Inquiries:

For Media Inquiries, please get in touch with our Training Department via 1300 342 248 or info@acfa.net.au

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.

The Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association is celebrating 75 Years of serving the industry. As a specialised association, we are proud of what we have achieved. Being an Industry-Specific Association delivering personalised service for such a significant amount of time is a significant milestone and is a testament to the hard work of ACFA Board Members, Staff and Members.

Fred White, President of ACFA, spoke of the significance of 75 Years. He said, “To see how far we have come as an association, we are very proud of what we have achieved. Our membership numbers have continued to grow and reflect our true national approach. The issues of our industry have changed, but ACFA has always been there advocating for what is best.”

ACFA is excited by the future, and exploring more ways to support our industry, with short courses and growing their business resources. ACFA will look to mark this celebration during the 2023 Industry Awards in September. Click here for more information on our 2023 Awards.

WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED OVER THE YEARS!

When ACFA looks back at 75 Years as an association, it is difficult to summarise everything we have achieved. Here are just some of the key achievements:

When first established on the 3rd of June 1948, the NSW Furniture Guide (as it was then known), was incorporated as part of the launch of the Furniture Industry Association of Australia (FIAA). Throughout the decades that followed, the association grew in recognition for advocating on behalf of the industry.

In some of FIAA’s early years, the association was also involved in the running of the Australian Furniture Fair and drafted the Furnishing Trades Award with the Industry Committee. As FIAA grew, it focused on lobbying for the increase to the threshold & exemptions for our industry regarding Home Warranty Insurance (NSW) and Initiated the Worker Compensation Premium Discount Scheme. 

WorkCover NSW (now Safework NSW) engaged with FIAA to run a Safety Coach program in 2013 with the aim to provide free one-on-one advice on better ways to manage risks and how best to implement sustainable safety practices. Our efforts in this program saw FIAA recognised as a finalist in the 2014 WorkCover NSW Safety Leadership Awards.

In 2017, FIAA launched our Industry Awards, celebrating and recognising the hard work and skills within our industry. The annual awards night was created as a way to showcase the high-quality work our industry achieves and come together to celebrate the people excelling in our industry. 

Through funding granted by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training, FIAA across both 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 highlights 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.”

Other key milestones achieved include 26 Years as a Registered Training Organisation, providing Workplace-Based Training for the next generation of our industry. ACFA has grown to become the largest private RTO (RTO: 90432) for Cabinet Making, KBLR and RPL Qualifications.

You may spot wording on our website regarding our courses being superseded.

The Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA) has been training apprentices in Cabinet Making for over 25 Years. As a leading RTO for our sector, ACFA has been involved in the development of updates set to come into place to better reflect the changes that have taken place within our industry.

The course you maybe be familiar with is MSF31113 Certificate III in Cabinet Making.

Across our website and brochures, you will see the disclaimer; “This course has been superseded. You can still enrol in this course, and ACFA will contact you when you need to transition into the next version when it is available”

What this means is that you can continue to enrol apprentices or enrol in our RPL Program. Our Admissions Team will get you started and when the time comes, ACFA will transition you across to the new package. Our team have worked hard to ensure a smooth transition will take place. A lot of the changeover will happen behind the scenes for some students.

From late 2023, you will start to see the new training package, known as MSF30322 – Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology, come into play.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Team at 1300 342 248 or training@acfa.net.au