For more than 20 years the WCA has been promoting quality in curtain manufacturing. It was originally established to encourage "mainstream" curtain manufacturers (those who operated out of an official business premises and not from home) to promote excellence in workmanship.
Originally the Association was established in some states and known as the Curtain Manufacturing Association. Over the next few years, state associations were set up across Australia. During the early years, it was realised that the Association needed full industry support from both retailers and suppliers, and the name was later changed to the Curtain Industry Association (CIA). In 1983 a National Body was formed and three years later a National Office was established. Currently, a National Working Committee is in place, with the Secretary located in Melbourne.
During the mid-eighties the industry began to recognise blinds as part of the window treatment area and came to the conclusion that the Association was about the "treatment" of windows, internally and externally. Its name changed to the Soft Furnishings Industry Association of Australia in 1993 and the Association expanded to include curtains, blinds, awnings etc. As a result, some blind suppliers, manufacturers and blind retailers are also members of the WCAA in their state.