Australia’s manufacturing sector and its role in housing supply have been highlighted by the Housing Industry Association, with Chief Executive Industry & Policy Simon Croft pointing to local production as a critical driver of the nation’s home building pipeline.
Speaking ahead of visits to manufacturing facilities in Oberon and Western Sydney, Croft said Australian manufacturers were central to maintaining housing delivery and supporting local economies.
“Australian manufacturers are doing the heavy lifting to keep the nation’s housing pipeline moving – employing thousands and underpinning local economies,” Croft said.
He said Australia’s housing challenges had underscored the importance of domestic production, particularly during periods of global uncertainty.
“This year’s Australian Made Week shines a spotlight on our homegrown industry. In the midst of a housing crisis, few sectors are more important than the businesses producing the high-quality, sustainable materials that go into our homes,” he said, referring to Australian Made Week.
Croft said recent geopolitical disruptions had reinforced the need for stronger sovereign capability in manufacturing and reduced reliance on imported building materials.
He also highlighted the connection between regional manufacturing and housing construction.
“Every home built in Australia starts long before the slab is poured – it starts in places like Oberon, in our factories and timber mills,” he said.
“The link between regional manufacturing and housing supply is direct and undeniable. No timber, no trusses. No panels, no kitchens. No manufacturers, no homes – it’s that simple.”
Croft added that stronger domestic manufacturing capacity would help improve supply chain certainty and support building activity.
“Choosing Australian made means stronger supply chains, fewer delays and greater certainty for builders and homebuyers,” he said.
He said supporting local manufacturers should be a national priority, citing their long-term contribution to employment and regional economies.
“If we’re serious about addressing housing supply and creating a true Future Made in Australia, we need to get serious about supporting Australian manufacturers—especially in regional Australia,” he said.
“Backing these businesses means backing Australian jobs, strengthening our economy, and delivering the homes our growing population needs.”
Croft said Australian Made Week served as a reminder of the broader economic role of local industry in housing delivery and national resilience.
