Manufacturing Industry 

Manufacturing is an integral part of the Australian economy.  As of the December quarter 2011, the manufacturing industry employed approximately 953,500 people.  In 2010-11, it contributed approximately $108 billion to the economy.  Manufacturing is also central to innovation, accounting for over one quarter of all Business Expenditure in R&D, representing more than $4 billion invested in research and development.

Since the 1980s, manufacturing in Australia has undergone substantial structural change influenced by a number of factors including globalisation, technical change and changing consumer preferences. 

Support for Manufacturing

The department has responsibility for a range of initiatives that encourage the sustainable growth of Australian Industry.  These include but are not limited to:

• Powering Ideas: An Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century
• Commercialisation Australia
• Industry Innovation Councils
• Cooperative Research Centres
• Enterprise Connect
• Clean 21
• Australian Industry Participation Scheme
• Supplier Advocates
• Small Business Support Line
• A New Car Plan for a Greener Future
• Structural Adjustment Programs

On 6 October 2011, the Prime Minister announced the Taskforce on Manufacturing which will map out a shared vision for the future of Australia’s manufacturing sector and help strengthen local firms as they adapt to changes in our economy, including the rise of Asia.

The department produces a quarterly Manufacturing Data Card which summarises key manufacturing statistics.

Manufacturing Statistics

	Employment1 (thousand)	Industry Gross Value Added2 ($ million)	Merchandise Exports3 ($ million)	Merchandise Imports4  ($ million)
	December-2011	2010-11	2010-11	2010-11
Total Manufacturing	953.5	107,634	84,053	183,283
Total Australia	11,438.3	1,318,554	245,754	214,094
Manufacturing Share	8.3%	8.2%	34.2%	85.6%
Source: ABS (1) Cat No. 6291.0.55.003, (2) Cat No. 5206, (3) Cat No. 5368, (4) Cat No. 5368 Please Note: ABS statistics quoted are subject to revision.

Further statistical information on Australian manufacturing including industry gross value added, employment, trade and private new capital expenditure is available in the Innovation Portfolio Factsheets.

For further information on the manufacturing industry, please contact:

Data and Strategic Analysis Unit
Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
GPO Box 9839
Canberra ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA

Phone:  +61 2 6213 6429
Email:   manufind@innovation.gov.au