The NSW Government has recently handed down the 2026-27 State Budget.

We’ve summarised the key announcements that may impact cabinetmakers, joiners, manufacturers and designers across NSW.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Your ACFA membership not only includes unlimited workplace advice but also access to practical business support throughout the year via the member portal 24/7, including:

✔ Superannuation Fact Sheets

✔ Employer Guides

✔ Templates

✔ FAQ’s

✔ Plus many more – over 600 resources

Benefits of being a Member

Our 2026 Budget Summary guide is just an example of the many resources ACFA x KBDi members get access to by being a member.

Consider becoming a member today

Australia’s manufacturing sector is not just a vital part of our economy; it is a fundamental part of our community fabric, employing thousands of hardworking Australians and supporting businesses, families and local communities across the country.

As an industry, we see firsthand how Australian manufacturing supports local jobs, provides meaningful training and career pathways for apprentices, and supplies the construction, renovation, joinery, cabinetry, furniture and board product sectors that millions of Australians rely on every day.

Australian manufacturers operate under rigorous compliance, environmental, safety and traceability standards. These standards are upheld through independent auditing, certification and regulatory oversight, ensuring Australian-made products meet the expectations of quality, safety and ethical production that consumers, builders, designers and homeowners deserve.

Yet our industry is under increasing pressure from imported joinery, cabinetry, furniture and board products that may not be required to meet the same standards. These imports can enter the Australian market without the same level of scrutiny, potentially undermining local businesses, threatening Australian jobs, weakening our sovereign manufacturing capability and compromising the quality and safety standards our industry works hard to uphold.

Industry advocacy is an important role that ACFA x KBDi plays on behalf of our sector. Together with AWISA, we are calling for a united industry voice to ensure the government understands the real impact these issues have on Australian manufacturers, suppliers, installers, designers, apprentices, employees and the communities that depend on them.

With the combined effort of ACFA, KBDi and AWISA, we need the industry to get behind this campaign and stand together in support of fair trade, stronger compliance and a level playing field for Australian businesses.

We urge the Australian Government to take actionable steps to protect local manufacturing by introducing stricter import regulations and ensuring imported products are required to meet the same stringent standards as Australian-made goods.

By doing so, we can safeguard Australian jobs, protect consumers, support local communities, strengthen our manufacturing capability and contribute to a more sustainable future for our industry.

Please sign this petition to demand fair trade practices and help keep Australia’s manufacturing sector strong, sustainable and competitive.

Let’s stand up for our local industry, our economy and the communities that depend on them.

The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is getting ready to launch the Choose Circular Directory, a new online platform to help buyers across NSW find and choose sustainable products.

Suppliers of recycled content products are invited to sign up and be one of the first to be featured when it launches.

What is the Choose Circular Directory?

This new online directory is a free platform showcasing suppliers of recycled products. It connects suppliers with government agencies, businesses, and the public.

As part of the Kitchen + Bath Show seminar series, ACFA x KBDi is proud to present three days of insightful, industry-focused sessions designed to support designers, manufacturers and joinery professionals at every stage of the project journey.

From global trend forecasting and practical profitability strategies to buildable joinery, apprenticeships and photography for design professionals, this year’s program brings together respected voices across the industry to explore the ideas, challenges and opportunities shaping kitchens and bathrooms in Australia.

DAY 1 | Thursday, 11 June

Global Trends, Local Reality | Eurocucina Insights for Kitchens & Bathrooms

10:30 am | Mel Gardener

Fresh from Europe’s leading design fairs, Mel Gardener will unpack key ideas emerging from Eurocucina and beyond — translating international inspiration into practical, Australian-ready applications. This session explores materials, finishes, systems and design directions that can be realistically specified, manufactured and delivered locally, with insights into longevity, supply considerations and client appeal.

From Overwhelmed to Optimised: Protecting Your Margins in a Slowing Market

11:15 am | Deb McNee

As rising costs and cautious clients continue to impact the industry, even small inefficiencies can take a serious toll on profitability. In this practical and highly relevant session, Deb McNee (Design Coach Grow) explores where profit is commonly lost — from rework and unclear processes to client indecision — and shares strategies to improve efficiency, strengthen communication and support more profitable project delivery.

Designing for the Lens: Creating Spaces That Photograph Beautifully

2:15 pm | Mark Burrough

Great design doesn’t always translate well on camera — and in an industry driven by portfolios, awards and publications, that matters. Interior and architectural photographer Mark Burrough will explore how design decisions are interpreted through the lens, highlighting the factors that can elevate or diminish a project photograph. From lighting and materiality to styling and preparation, this session offers practical strategies to help designers present their work with maximum clarity and impact.

DAY 2 | Friday, 12 June

Trends with Traction: Kitchens & Bathrooms

10:30 am | Mel Gardener & Lucy Sutherland

Building on the global trends conversation, this session takes a practical approach to implementation. Mel Gardener and Lucy Sutherland will explore emerging design and product directions while addressing lead times, compliance considerations and the realities of specification and delivery within the Australian market.

Beyond the Box: Designing & Delivering Buildable Joinery

11:15 am | Chris Chmielowiec

Custom joinery sits at the intersection of design intent and construction reality. In this session, Chris Chmielowiec shares practical insights into spatial planning, hidden functionality, services coordination and common documentation pitfalls — helping designers better understand what’s possible and design with confidence from concept to completion.

From First Day to Fully Qualified: Making Apprenticeships Work

2:15 pm | Dean Brakell, Chris Chmielowiec & Glen Cannon

This timely panel discussion tackles the real challenges surrounding apprenticeships in today’s market — from recruitment and mentoring to productivity, retention and training costs. Panellists will share practical insights into creating sustainable apprenticeship pathways and developing skilled team members for the future of the industry.

DAY 3 | Saturday, 13 June

From Milan to Main Street: What’s Next for Australian Kitchens & Bathrooms

10:30 am | Lucy Sutherland

Drawing on insights from Europe’s leading design events and real-time consumer data from Temple & Webster, Lucy Sutherland explores the ideas, materials and movements shaping the future of Australian interiors. This session goes beyond surface trends to examine the changing lifestyles, purchasing habits and colour directions influencing kitchens and bathrooms today — helping attendees identify what’s worth investing in and what will stand the test of time.

ACFA x KBDi is proud to be attending the Kitchen + Bath Show as we continue building a stronger, more connected industry together. Following the successful merger of our organisations, our shared vision is centred on supporting professionals across the entire project journey — from concept to completion.

We’d love to see you at the show. Visit the Kitchen + Bath Show from 11–13 June and stop by Stand 1246 to meet the team, learn more about our programs and membership opportunities, and chat with us about the future of Australia’s kitchen and bathroom industry.

From 1 July 2026, the way employers pay super is set to change.

The Federal Government has announced that superannuation contributions will need to be paid at the same time as wages, rather than quarterly. This reform, known as Payday Super, means super becomes part of every pay run.

Limited exceptions may apply in certain circumstances; however, most employers will be required to comply from the commencement date.

If you run a cabinetmaking, joinery, design or manufacturing business, this is something you will need to plan for.

What this means for your business:

• Super must be paid each pay cycle
• Quarterly super payments will no longer apply
• Payroll systems must be compliant and able to process same day super
• Late payments will trigger penalties more quickly
• Errors will be identified much earlier

What you should be doing now:

• Speak with your bookkeeper or payroll provider
• Confirm your payroll software can manage same-day super payments
• Review cash flow to accommodate more frequent payments
• Check that super is being calculated correctly on ordinary time earnings
• Ensure employee fund details are accurate and up to date

Getting this right early will reduce risk and avoid potential penalties

MEMBER RESOURCES AVAILABLE

ACFA has Superannuation Fact Sheets available in the Member Portal for ACFA x KBDi Members to help you understand your obligations and prepare your business:

Some Resources require an ACFA or KBDi membership to access

A message from our Platinum Partner, e&s

The Curated Home: A Partnership in Design

At e&s, we believe the most impactful spaces are born from authentic partnerships, not just commercial transactions. Established in 1962, our family-led approach provides professionals with the agile, tailored solutions necessary to meet the evolving expectations of modern homeowners. We don’t just supply products; we collaborate with you to bridge high-end technology with the tactile, sensory nature of sophisticated interior design.

Beyond the Surface: Curating Warmth in the Contemporary Suite

As the seasons shift, the “Thermal Textures” movement is redefining the home’s most functional zones—the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry—transforming them into grounded, multisensory retreats. 

Designers are increasingly moving away from clinical coldness, instead utilising visual warmth through high-performance metals and saturated finishes. Whether it is the luminous depth of Miele’s Pearl Beige kitchen appliances paired with Brodware Swiss Brass, or the organic, earth-toned silhouettes of Parisi bathroom basins, the focus is on light-catching potential rather than mere ambient temperature.

This aesthetic continuity also extends into the laundry, where the soon-to-be-released Fisher & Paykel Minimal range utilises grey glass and precision-machined materials to blend seamlessly into custom joinery. 

By layering these tonal textures with advanced technology, we help you create a bespoke sanctuary where every touchpoint radiates enduring calm and architectural symmetry.

Speak with an e&s expert to discover a curated range of solutions that perfectly complement your project and vision: www.eands.com.au

We are pleased to advise that members of the Australian Woodworking Industry Suppliers Association (AWISA) have formally voted in favour of a merger with the Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA).

The vote was held at an Extraordinary General Meeting on the 15th of January 2026, marking an important milestone for both organisations and the broader woodworking, manufacturing and supply sector.

This merger brings together two long-standing industry bodies with a shared commitment to supporting businesses, strengthening advocacy, and building a more unified voice for our sector.

Richard Curley, Chair of ACFA, said:

“This is a very positive outcome for our industry. Bringing ACFA and AWISA together creates a stronger, more connected association that can better represent the interests of manufacturers, cabinetmakers, designers and suppliers across Australia. We welcome AWISA members and look forward to working together.”

Kevin Bruce, Chair of AWISA, said:

“AWISA boasts a long and proud history, which both the board and its members are committed to preserving. Our members have decisively chosen a future path for their association, and the merger with ACFA offers the best opportunity to safeguard AWISA’s contributions to the industry. This merger ensures that our members remain supported, represented, and connected within a larger national organisation that understands the challenges and opportunities facing our industry.”

Over the coming months, work will continue to integrate AWISA into ACFA in a planned and considered way. Members will be kept informed as transitional arrangements are finalised and as opportunities to engage with the merged organisation are rolled out.

We thank AWISA members for their engagement throughout this process and look forward to the next chapter together.

The Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA) is proud to support the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (ACCI’s) 2025 National Trade Survey. 

The National Trade Survey is Australia’s only survey of how Australian businesses are navigating trade challenges and positioning for growth. 

This year with significant disruptions impacting global markets – feedback from Australian trading businesses on real-world impacts has never been more important.  

This year’s survey features crucial new questions on the impact of US trade and tariff policies and the supports that would best assist businesses to grow or diversify. 

Your on-the-ground experiences help ACFA and ACCI keep government and decision-makers focused on the challenges that matter most for your business. 

By participating, you can help us: 

• Highlight key challenges for Australian businesses engaged in trade 
• Influence government policy 
• Shape more effective government supports and regulators. 

Whether you trade in goods or services, import or export products, or you’re finding trade difficult, we want to hear from you. 

Survey to be competed by the 24^th of October 2025.

Planning ahead just got easier. The ACFA Workplace Advice Team has compiled and summarised the official 2026 Public Holidays for each state and territory across Australia.

This clear, easy-to-read guide helps members quickly find the dates that matter most for workplaces, businesses, and employees, ensuring you stay informed and compliant while organising operations for the year ahead.