6 Exclusive Insights on Australia’s Manufacturing Industry

The manufacturing industry is a crucial sector of the global economy that has undergone significant transformations over the past few years. From technological advancements to supply chain disruptions, there is always something happening in this dynamic field.

With so much happening in the industry across Australia, we wanted to explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities that are shaping the future of this sector.

Whether you’re a manufacturer, a supplier, or simply interested in the industry, read on to discover what’s happening today.

Massive National Reconstruction Fund Bill gains Senate approval – Julianne G, Australian Manufacturing

The Australian government’s National Reconstruction Fund (NRF), which aims to boost the country’s manufacturing industry by supporting existing and new industries, has passed the Senate and is on its way to becoming law.

The $15 billion fund is one of the largest peacetime investments in Australia’s manufacturing industry, and the government hopes it will create secure jobs and position the country as a maker of high-value-added products.

The NRF will be administered by an independent board and is based on the successful implementation of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. Amendments made by the Senate will need approval from the House of Representatives.

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Safety must be our number one priority – Mignon D’Souza, Manufacturers’ Monthly

In 2022, 16 manufacturing industry workers died and 14,663 workers suffered serious injuries in the workplace in Australia.

Welding is considered a safe occupation, but accidents and injuries can occur when safety precautions are not taken seriously in the workplace. Protective clothing must be fire-resistant, and welders should avoid wearing synthetic materials when welding. Welding fume exposure can cause long-term health problems, and proper ventilation and respiratory equipment must be used. Electric shock is another risk factor, and welders must be trained to minimise its risks. Weld Australia is working to provide practical solutions and educate companies and individuals about welding risks.

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Should you be looking for AI in an ERP? – Millie L, Australian Manufacturing

The use of AI has transformed various industries like robotics, voice recognition, and virtual assistants. As we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution, AI has the potential to enhance supply chains, automate repetitive tasks, and improve decision-making through data analytics. This could lead to increased productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, providing a competitive advantage. Manufacturing companies can benefit from an AI-powered ERP system that can help drive growth, mitigate risks, and optimise costs by streamlining inventory management, procurement, and production planning. Epicor recognises the potential of AI to create a resilient supply chain amidst the overwhelming number of available technologies.

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Rail agreement signed by government and industry – Mignon D’Souza, Manufacturers’ Monthly

The Australian and Victorian governments, along with industry leaders, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) committing to work together to improve the interoperability of Australia’s rail network, particularly for future major rail investments.

The MoC aims to address long-standing issues of incompatible networks, which have caused rail skill shortages and isolation of experienced workers. The agreement builds on the National Rail Manufacturing Plan and aims to create skilled manufacturing jobs.

The government plans to appoint a National Rail Advocate and Rail Industry Innovation Council to support the plan and drive change in Australian rail manufacturing.

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Could cobots be an answer to Australia’s welder shortage? – Margie Smithurst, Industry Update Manufacturing Magazine

Robotics companies like Universal Robots (UR) are aiming to address the shortage of welders predicted to hit Australia, which could reach 70,000 by 2030, with collaborative robots or “cobots”. These small and flexible robots would be a simple automation solution for small to medium-sized businesses, says Ian Choo, senior technical support engineer with UR. By allowing welders to teach them manually, UR hopes to bridge the gap between robot programmers and experienced welders, enabling cobot welding to become the fastest growing sector for the company in terms of sales. Although cobots will help address the welder shortage, training more apprentices in the trade is still considered critical.

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Queensland could become Australia’s new hub for sustainable aviation fuel – Julianne G, Australian Manufacturing

Australian petroleum company Ampol has partnered with Japan’s ENEOS to explore advanced biofuel production in Brisbane, with a focus on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The two companies will assess the feasibility of delivering the project at Ampol’s refinery site in Lytton. The project is expected to generate up to 500 million litres of SAF and renewable diesel annually, cementing Queensland’s position as Australia’s hub for clean jet fuel.

The project has the potential to generate jobs and export opportunities in a new industry for Queensland’s economy.

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If you want to find out more about what’s going on in the industry, you can reach out to our manufacturing experts through the form on this page.