There’s a fresh energy at the KNX National Group Australia as we move into the second half of 2025, with a new leadership team and growing momentum across training, standards and community engagement.

We begin by acknowledging and thanking Craig Chapman (Ivory Egg) for his valuable contribution as president over the past years. Craig has now handed the reins to Joel Gray of Somfy, who brings a wealth of experience from the shading and automation sector and a strong commitment to growing the KNX ecosystem nationally. We’re pleased to confirm that Simon Harvey of Ivory Egg will take on the role of vice president, helping ensure continuity in technical and training initiatives.

Peter Garrett (MySmart) continues as secretary, with Francois Peyrachon (Hager) as treasurer and Ian Harding (ABB) maintaining his vital role in technical training. Andy Moore (Theben) takes on the marketing director position, supporting outreach, CPD development and a more visible presence for KNX across professional networks. Additionally, Brook Lawson (Theben) will now represent the group on the Australian Standards Committee, helping influence the frameworks that support open, interoperable solutions in our built environment.

Looking ahead: National training and recognition

Big things are happening in education. One of the most promising developments is our collaboration with CEDIA and the growing momentum behind a national smart home apprenticeship, expected to launch in 2027.

This will be a game-changer for our industry. The first intake is targeted for 2028, and we all need to be ready to support and scale the sector’s capability to meet growing consumer demand.

In parallel, we’re eagerly awaiting final approval of the Certificate IV in Integrated Technologies in both Victoria and Western Australia. Once signed off, this will allow broader access to formal qualifications and signal to employers, insurers and regulators that our profession is maturing.

And speaking of recognition, here’s a critical piece of housekeeping: To help ensure smart home integrators are properly counted in future employment data, we need at least 300 people to list “smart home integrator” as their professional title in the next ABS Census.

This step is crucial to securing a dedicated ANSCO code, which will, in turn, improve access to insurance, training subsidies and employment services. Without it, we remain invisible in key national datasets, and that affects everything from funding to liability cover.

Roadshows, resources and community support

The ETS6.3 Roadshow was a great success, with strong attendance and a noticeable lift in community energy. The 30% discount offer on ETS upgrades in May drew lots of interest and helped bring many integrators up to date with the latest features and tools. Thanks to everyone who attended and made these events a real milestone for the group.

In addition to events and training, we’re also expanding our community support with a new Discord forum for Australian KNX users. This will be a space where integrators, designers, and automation enthusiasts can ask questions, share ideas, and build peer-to-peer support networks. It’s another step towards a more connected, collaborative community.

CPD and cross-industry engagement

Finally, we’re proud to announce a suite of continuing professional development (CPD) units, developed by the KNX National Group of Australia. These are designed for delivery to architects, engineers, and consultants, helping them understand not just KNX as a platform, but the critical role integrators play in modern buildings.

Our message is simple: Better communication between designers and integrators leads to better outcomes for the built environment and better results for clients.

These CPD sessions help position integrators as part of the design process, not just the install phase, ensuring that lighting, HVAC, shading, energy and automation strategies are considered early and delivered seamlessly.

A lot is happening, and it’s all moving in the right direction. But our shared success depends on community involvement, so whether it’s presenting CPD, contributing on Discord, mentoring new apprentices or simply completing your next Census with the right job title, every little action helps grow and strengthen the smart building sector.