The global manufacturing sector is witnessing a seismic shift in its automation approach as companies worldwide, big or small, grapple with the ongoing labour shortage and skills gap within the industry. 

The Western Australian Government is reviewing its procurement framework to identify how government spending can create more local jobs, strengthen industry and support manufacturing under its Made in WA plan.

Queensland aerospace companies Gilmour Space Technologies and Hypersonix have signed an agreement aimed at advancing Australia’s hypersonic manufacturing and flight-test capabilities for defence and commercial programs.

Australian textile, clothing and footwear manufacturing will be in focus during Ethical Clothing Australia Week 2026, with Ethical Clothing Australia bringing workers, accredited businesses, unions and industry advocates together to highlight the skilled labour behind locally made products.

Six manufacturers in Melbourne’s south-east are sharing more than $5 million in Victorian Government grants to expand their operations, with the projects expected to create 312 new jobs.

NSW manufacturers can apply for grants of up to $50,000 under a new state government program aimed at helping businesses investigate the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.

Jet Zero Australia has raised $30 million and secured final development approval for its proposed Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Renewable Diesel (RD) refinery in Townsville, Queensland, marking further progress towards construction of the project.

A $13.2 million research project led by the University of Melbourne will investigate technologies aimed at improving the efficiency and durability of silicon solar modules, with potential applications in solar manufacturing.

Australian manufacturing capability for recycled plastics is being demonstrated through a trial that has produced locally manufactured recycled polypropylene for use in a limited run of Nestlé KitKat wrappers.

Queensland manufacturers are receiving government funding to upgrade equipment, improve production processes and expand capacity under the state’s new Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grants Program (TQMGP), with more than half of the first-round recipients based in regional areas.

Manufacturing and logistics automation is expanding into case handling, with Nowaste Logistics becoming the first company globally to install AutoStore’s AutoCase solution at one of its warehouses, according to Swisslog Australia and New Zealand.