Contract References: Australia

The Association of Consulting Architects in Australia provides advice and information to architectural employers on the business side of practice. Different from the Australian Institute of Architects, its mission revolves around ensuring that “the business of architecture is best positioned to make profits”.

Part of its work in serving as a resource to the profession at large is to promote the rates of pay issued by the Fair Work Ombudsman, a commission that regulates fair work in Australia for a diverse number of professions, including architecture, drafting, and graphic design. Also notable in the services provided by the ACA is the development of a “Business Toolbox”, which includes, among other relevant efforts, an architects’ time/ cost calculator, as well as the creation of a formal framework for resource sharing between firms.