We are pleased to share some updates from each of our National Committees and their work in 2025.
First Nations Advisory Committee:
Shaneen Fantin, Daniele Hromek and Bradley Kerr
- Cultural Safety Policy now available here.
- Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) Guide Note finalised and available here.
- Protocols for Welcomes to Country & Acknowledging Country available here.
- Terms, Concepts and Shared Understandings now available here.
- First Nations Terminology available here.
- Online First Nations Resource Hub updated.
- Parliamentary submission in relation to Olympic Stadium at Barambin (Victoria Park).
- Draft of Walk Together: Design Guided by Country – in progress due for publication by May 2026.
- Collective work on the Institute committee restructure.
- Developed FNAC specific branding with agreement from the Institute.
- Started developing a number of documents such as –
- Procurement Principles
- Guidelines for Awards and Prizes
- Heritage Places Acumen
National Heritage Committee:
Jude Doyle, Alice Hampson, Laurie Jones
Heritage Policy Working Group consulted widely since 2021 to produce RAIA Heritage Policy, which provides a framework that lists the key principles to recognise the importance of conservation of heritage places for historical legacy and reduction of waste for a low carbon future. Draft policy submitted for endorsement by National Council and RAIA Board.
RAIA Archive Draft Policy, which outlines collection, retention, disposal, and storage of archives on third-party digital platform, submitted for review and endorsement. This is part 1 of the project and once endorsed, the working group will be able to proceed to part 2 which is the implementation of the Archive Policy through an operation manual and the engagement of an archivist from the consultant firm.
Heritage CPD Series 2025 delivered 8 formal CPD hours through 4 webinars on Sustainability, Compliance, Inclusivity, and Climate. The CPD Working Group secured ongoing annual August time slot for Heritage CPD.
The committee prepared a submission signed by four current- and past- RAIA National Presidents objecting to the conservation aspects of a development application on Brisbane’s heritage-listed Howard Smith Wharves complex. It urged Brisbane City Council to assess the application against the Burra Charter Principles, the relevant Qld Heritage Place Code, BCC Heritage Place Overlay Code, City Centre Neighbourhood Plan, and the Conservation Management Plan, and outlined significant discrepancies between the application and those codes. The committee continues to work with the Queensland Chapter Heritage Committee to monitor proposals on another four places on the Qld Heritage Register which have been identified for redevelopment as major Olympic Games venues.
The National Council has endorsed the option for any Chapter to separate Heritage category in their State Awards Program into two distinct subcategories: Conservation and Adaptive Reuse. The NHC secured approval for splitting conservation and adaptive reuse into separate award streams at the State and Territory Chapter level, improving fairness in recognition. This change allows the Chapters to run conservation and adaptive reuse awards without forcing them to compete against each other directly recognising the individual merit of each category. The updated categories will be included in the next awards handbook, scheduled for release by the end of November, ensuring clarity for the coming awards cycle.
National Climate Action Sustainability Committee:
Jude Doyle, Alice Hampson, Laurie Jones
Delivered successful lean-in sessions and CPD focused on carbon-conscious design.
Launched Architecture Industry Decarbonisation Plan 2025–2050 and Australian Zero Carbon Housing Challenge.
Recognised by Stefan A Preuss for transitioning from discussion to practical action.
Enhanced public and media visibility through press releases linked to State of the Climate report and advocacy work.
Since it’s early iterations about 4 years ago, the Handprints of Good Design document is actively used in policy and advocacy to consistently analyse government consultations, collate data and research into a library and is an important ongoing resource in responding to emerging economic issues with a regenerative focus. Committee members have spoken at industry events, councils and local governments to help inform the development of their own regulatory and industry frameworks relating to designing for circularity, density and biodiversity to complement the existing community.
Planned restructure and renaming to Climate and Sustainability Committee under new Institute framework by mid-2026.
Maintained strong gender balance and diversity, supporting effective representation across practice scales.
Future plans include collaboration with Architects Declare to enhance CPD offerings, especially in sustainability-related education.
Expanded international and cross-sector networks to share Australian sustainability initiatives globally.
Gender, Equity, Diversity and Impact Committee (GEDI):
GEDI Pledge
Launching early 2026, the GEDI Pledge reaffirms the Institute’s commitment to fostering gender equity, diversity, and impact across the profession.
The Institute is committed to equity, diversity, and belonging as guiding principles of our work. A diverse and inclusive profession leads to stronger design outcomes and a more resilient industry.
The GEDI Committee and Institute are backing this commitment with programs such as awards jury criteria reform, mentorship pathways, and support for those facing discrimination.
The pledge sets out our vision for an inclusive and equitable architectural community, with initiatives such as pathways for underrepresented groups, equitable jury processes, and resources to address discrimination and harassment.
- In support of this pledge several initiatives are underway…
Initiatives
Unconscious Bias Webinar: Delivered in 2025, now free online via CPD Education On Demand (1 CPD point). Led by Marika Neustupny FRAIA, Director of NMBW Architecture Studio, Associated Professor Peter Raisbeck and Felicity Menzies, Director Culture Plus – the discussion explores how unconscious bias shapes architecture practice, offers tools to identify and address bias in workplace, and is informed by 2023 Diversity and Inclusion survey findings.
Parlour Link: Included on AIA website, providing direct access to research and equity resources.
Parents in Architecture Webpage: In development to support parental leave, return-to-work, and workforce re-entry.
Events Guide with GEDI Lens: In development to embed equity, diversity, and accessibility into all Institute events from 2026. Building on the successful EmAGN Events Guide, it will be a a comprehensive Inclusive Events Guide & Checklist.
National Contracts Committee:
ABIC Digital Contract successfully launched and adopted by members.
ABIC suite of Contracts completed national legal compliance review for 2026 implementation.
Joint Development Committee (JDC) between RAIA and MBA have been working collaboratively with new members on both sides and reached an agreement on amendments to NSW Housing staged payment.
The Client Architect Agreement updates have been successfully provided to members with educational material.