Manufacturing is the second largest industry in the Australian economy, comprising 11 per cent of GDP. Manufacturing activities are spread across all Australian states and territories, and the industry accounts for 10.8 percent of employment in Australia with about 956 000 full-time and 120 900 part-time employees.

Manufacturing is amongst the top 20 paying industries and more of its employees work full-time than in any other industry. There is also a wide range of industry sectors and job roles within Manufacturing. The occupations include those who conceive, design, manufacture, assemble, install, repair, package and sell the manufactured products.

The industry includes the following sectors:

Australia’s manufacturing industry has been profoundly affected by globalisation and Australian firms have had to rationalise and consolidate their operations, lift performance and become more globally competitive. The industry has been actively reshaping itself over the last decade and has embraced new technologies, innovation, and more efficient production practices, and has become increasingly export-focused.

In terms of choice, Manufacturing has always provided good career opportunities for graduate engineers and traditional trades, however, young people and the people who influence their career decisions often have a poor image of the industry. Manufacturing faces a major challenge in counteracting this perception, and being able to attract and recruit young people in an increasingly competitive labour market. To achieve this, the industry is focusing on increasing awareness and engaging young people through excursions, work placement programs, apprenticeships, cadetships and traineeships.

Measured in terms of economic growth and productivity performance, Manufacturing is entering the new millennium not as a smokestack industry, but one which is arguably more important to the national economy than ever.