IFA advocates on behalf of its members and the wider interior fitout industry, ensuring the issues that matter to our sector are heard at all levels of government and across the broader business community. Through ongoing engagement, industry representation and informed advocacy, we work to influence policy, address industry challenges and help create a stronger, more sustainable future for Australia’s interior fitout industry.
Advocacy News
ACIF meets with Standards Australia on access, AI and the future of standards
Monday 24 August, 2026
The ACIF Board recently met with Standards Australia CEO Rod Balding to discuss the Australian Government’s commitment to improving access to standards referenced in legislation, the practicalities of implementing the new arrangements, and the longer-term role of artificial intelligence in making standards more accessible and useful. The meeting also provided an opportunity for ACIF to raise practical questions from members and strengthen collaboration between Standards Australia and the built environment industry.
Under the Government-sponsored access model, users will eventually be able to access standards referenced in Commonwealth, state and territory legislation online, free of charge and on a read-only basis. Downloading and printing will not be available, and existing paid subscription products will continue to provide additional functionality. Users are expected to register and identify their industry, although access will not necessarily be restricted to a single sector. Practitioners will also be able to have multiple standards open simultaneously, enabling them to cross-reference documents as they work.
While the technical capability for the new system is largely ready, implementation is still dependent on government consultation and administrative processes. One significant challenge is identifying the complete range of standards referenced across legislation, as Standards Australia is not automatically notified whenever a standard is referenced by governments. ACIF emphasised the importance of clear communication around the implementation timetable and exactly what the new access arrangements will provide.
The meeting also addressed existing paid subscriptions. Standards Australia is developing a framework to consider pro-rata refunds for organisations that decide the new read-only access meets their needs. However, businesses should not assume that Government-sponsored access will replace paid subscriptions, as the functionality and benefits will differ.
A major focus was the potential for AI to transform how professionals interact with standards. Future AI tools could make standards easier to search and navigate, allow users to ask questions in plain English, locate relevant provisions, navigate technical calculations and formulas, and potentially translate information. However, Standards Australia stressed that accuracy, currency and authoritative source material will be critical, given the serious consequences that could arise from incorrect technical information.
Standards Australia’s broader development processes were also discussed, including a recent independent review that produced nine recommendations and around 70 actions to improve the standards development experience.
The meeting was a positive step towards a stronger relationship between ACIF, Standards Australia and the built environment sectors. ACIF will continue acting as a conduit between Standards Australia and industry, helping communicate the new arrangements, identify practical issues and provide feedback from practitioners. Standards Australia has also offered to meet directly with ACIF’s individual member associations to better understand their specific needs and challenges.