News

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has outlined the Federal Government's vision for artificial intelligence, announcing plans to establish a national framework for AI standards aimed at supporting investment, protecting Australian creators and strengthening the country's economic resilience, while also highlighting opportunities for advanced manufacturing and sovereign capability.

A $1.95 million investment in upgraded training facilities at Chisholm Institute's Dandenong campus is set to strengthen manufacturing skills development, with up to 800 Victorian students each year expected to benefit from access to advanced engineering equipment, according to the Victorian Government.

Monash University has launched a new cross-disciplinary research initiative focused on strengthening Australia's critical minerals capability, as global demand for the resources is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades.

Workspace Commercial Furniture has launched a national furniture take-back initiative aimed at extending manufacturing beyond the production stage by recovering, refurbishing and recycling commercial furniture at the end of its first life.

An Australian manufacturing collaboration between Hypersonix Launch Systems and The University of Queensland has developed high-temperature ceramic matrix composites and associated manufacturing processes designed to withstand the extreme conditions of hypersonic flight, according to the Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC (ACM CRC).

New Energy Transport (NET) has taken delivery of its first Volvo heavy electric prime mover and announced Unilever as its foundation customer, marking the start of commercial electric heavy vehicle freight operations for the company in Sydney.

The NSW Government has announced more than $1 million in funding for 22 startups and small businesses under the second round of the 2025-26 MVP Ventures Program, supporting projects across areas including advanced manufacturing, housing, clean energy and health as businesses work towards commercialising new technologies.

The Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub, a renewable hydrogen project linked to Orica's manufacturing operations in New South Wales, has reached final investment decision (FID), with Plug Power announcing it has secured an order to supply 50 megawatts (MW) of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers for the facility.

A new $17.14 million manufacturing hub has opened at Ourimbah on the NSW Central Coast, with Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC) saying the purpose-built facility is designed to help small and medium-sized food and beverage manufacturers expand production, access shared equipment and strengthen local manufacturing capability.

Arkeus has opened a new advanced manufacturing facility in Ormeau, Queensland, aimed at increasing production of AI-powered defence sensing systems, with the expansion supported by AUD$1.48 million from the Queensland Government's Sovereign Industry Development Fund (SIDF).