This page provides high-level information on the Manufacturing and Related Services industry. The industry, as it is represented here, covers the following eight sectors (in alphabetical order):
The Manufacturing and Related Services industry is very diverse, covering multiple sectors. It forms a large part of the Australian economy and is one of Australia’s largest employing industries. It has, however, declined in size due to factors such as the increasing availability of manufactured products in lower cost economies.
The ANZSIC classified Manufacturing industry employed approximately 1.1 million people in the year 2000, however this has declined to about 960,000 thousand in 2018. This represents 7.6% of all employed persons in 2018 as compared to 12.4% of all employed persons in 2000, at which time it was the largest single industry sector for employment (sixth largest in 2018).
Nationally recognised training for Manufacturing and Related Services occupations is delivered under the following training packages
For information on other Manufacturing related industries see the following cluster pages:
All data sources are available at the end of the page.
Manufacturing and Related Services IRC’S
The relevant Skills Service organisation for this cluster is IBSA Manufacturing.
There were approximately 113,500 program enrolments during 2017 in Manufacturing and Related Services training packages, down from around 151,000 in 2014. Program completions have also declined over the same period from approximately 45,600 during 2014 to just over 32,500 in 2017.
During 2017, qualifications from the MEM Metal and Engineering Training Package accounted for nearly half (49%) of all program enrolments in the Manufacturing and Related Services industry, with qualifications from the MSF Furnishing Training Package accounting for a further 18%. There was minimal activity in the PMC Manufactured Mineral Products Training Package with only 42 enrolments in 2017.
Numbers of subject-only (no program) enrolments have fluctuated over the last four years. During 2017 there were approximately 137,000 subject-only (no program) enrolments, a similar number to that of 2015 and considerably more than in 2014. In 2017, training packages which had considerably higher numbers of subject-only enrolments compared to program enrolments included MSM Manufacturing and PMA Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining.
The Advanced Manufacturing Roadmap by CSIRO Futures presents a vision of Australian (advanced) Manufacturing being transformed into a highly integrated, collaborative and export-focused ecosystem providing high value customised solutions within global value chains.
The report identifies three opportunity themes for Australian manufacturing in the future:
Part of the enabling actions for manufacturing success in the future includes skills, training and the workforce. They highlight four main skill areas for development and acquisition:
For an analysis of skills needs for specific manufacturing sectors, please see the relevant sector pages.
Below is a list of industry-relevant organisations and associations. Hyperlinks have been included where available.
Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre
ANZLAA – Australian and New Zealand Laboratory Animal Association
Association for Manufacturing Excellence
Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers (ARPM)
Association for Sustainability in Business
Association of Rotational Moulders
Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists
Australasian Laboratory Managers Association
Australasian Piano Tuners and Technicians Association (APTTA)
Australasian Plastics and Rubber Institute Inc (APRI)
Australia New Zealand Industrial Gas Association
Australia Woodworking Industry Suppliers Association
Australian 3D Manufacturing Association (A3DMA)
Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council
Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion
Australian Cablemakers Association
Australian Explosives Industry Safety Group
Australian Fertiliser Services Association
Australian Furniture Association
Australian Glass and Glazing (AGGA)
Australian Helicopter Industry Association
Australian Hide, Skin and Leather Exports Association
Australian Institute of Medical Scientists
Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL)
Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
Australian Resilient Flooring Association (ARFA)
Australian Stone Advisory Association
Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council
Australian Sustainable Business Group
Australian Timber Flooring Association
Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Business Association (AMROBA)
Blind Manufacturers’ Association of Australia
Cabinet Makers and Designers Association (Victoria)
Caravan and Camping Industries Association of South Australia
Caravan Industry Association of Australia
Caravan Industry Association Western Australia
Caravan Trade and Industries Association of Queensland
Caravan Trade and Industries Association of Victoria
Caravan, Camping Industry Association of NSW
Carpet Institute of Australia (CIA)
Cement, Concrete and Aggregates Australia
Centre for Sustainability Leadership
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Dry Cleaning Institute of Australia
Facility Management Association
Floor Covering Institute of Australia
Furnishing Industry Association of Australia (FIAA)
Jewellers Association of Australia
Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute
Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia Limited
Millinery Association of Australia
National Measurement Institute
National Precast Concrete Association
National Security Screen Association
Picture Framers Guild of Australia
Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association
Plastics Industry Manufacturers of Australia
Queensland Interior Decorators Association
Regional Aviation Association of Australia
Science Education Technicians Australia (SETA)
Specialised Textiles Association
Sustainable Business Australia
Technical Textiles and Nonwoven Textiles Association
Watch and Clockmakers of Australia
Western Australia Furniture Manufacturers Association
Window and Door Industry Council
Window Coverings Association of Australia
Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU)
Australian Workers’ Union (AWU)
Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU)
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia
Advanced manufacturing: building resilience in Australian manufacturing Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre 2018
Industry 4.0: An opportunity for every Australian manufacturer: submission to the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre 2018
Advanced Manufacturing Roadmap CSIRO Futures 2016
Employment data has been extracted from:
The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2017, Employed persons by Industry group of main job (ANZSIC), sex, state and territory, November 1984 onwards, 6291.0.55.003 – EQ06, viewed December 2017, <http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/6291.0.55.003May%202017?OpenDocument>
Training data has been extracted from the National VET Provider Collection, Total VET students and courses from the following training packages:
This includes superseded qualifications and training packages.
Data covers a range of selected student and training characteristics in the following categories and years:
Total VET students and courses data is reported for the calendar year. Program enrolments are the qualifications, courses and skill-sets in which students are enrolled in a given period. For students enrolled in multiple programs, all programs are counted. Program completion indicates that a student has completed a structured and integrated program of education or training. Location data uses student residence. Subject enrolment is registration of a student at a training delivery location for the purpose of undertaking a module, unit of competency or subject. For more information on the terms and definitions, please refer to the Total VET students and courses: terms and definitions document.
