The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has released a Consultation Insights Paper as part of the development of a National Manufacturing Strategy aimed at strengthening and future-proofing Australia’s fashion and textile manufacturing sector.
According to the AFC, the strategy is being developed in partnership with R.M. Williams and is intended to support the long-term viability of local textile, clothing and footwear manufacturing.
The council said the initiative responds to ongoing challenges facing domestic manufacturing, including capability gaps, workforce issues and supply-chain constraints, while also identifying opportunities for growth and resilience.
The Consultation Insights Paper draws on extensive national consultations conducted by the AFC, involving more than 300 industry participants across 14 sessions.
Participants included fashion brands, manufacturers, educators, fibre producers, supply-chain specialists, technology partners and First Nations businesses.
The AFC said these consultations generated more than 1,000 proposed initiatives, along with votes on strategic priorities, forming what it described as an evidence-led foundation for the strategy.
In a statement, the AFC said the paper brings together common themes, shared challenges and priority actions that were raised consistently throughout the consultation process.
The council emphasised that the document is intended to reflect the breadth of views across the sector, rather than promote a single perspective, and is designed to test whether the identified priorities align with industry realities.
The AFC is now seeking final input from industry stakeholders to confirm the priorities that will shape the final National Manufacturing Strategy.
It said feedback at this stage is aimed at ensuring the strategy delivers practical outcomes, meaningful support and long-term impact for Australian fashion and textile manufacturing.
As part of this process, the AFC is asking industry participants to review the Consultation Insights Paper and complete a short survey indicating whether the findings accurately reflect their business experience. The council noted that responses will directly inform the final strategy.
The AFC said the completed National Manufacturing Strategy is scheduled for release in March 2026, with a formal launch planned at Parliament House in Canberra involving both government and industry representatives.
While the council has positioned the strategy as a collaborative effort to rebuild local manufacturing capability, it has not outlined specific policy measures or funding commitments at this stage.
Instead, it said the current focus is on validating priorities identified through consultation before finalising recommendations.
The Consultation Insights Paper and survey are now available to industry participants, with the AFC encouraging broad engagement to ensure the strategy reflects the diverse needs of Australia’s fashion and textile manufacturing sector.
