The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has launched a feasibility study into what it says would be Australia’s first Clothing Smart Factory, an initiative aimed at exploring new approaches to advanced onshore clothing manufacturing through technology-enabled production.
According to the AFC, the study is backed by technology company Epson Australia, supported by Investment NSW through its Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program, and aligned with the NSW Government’s Fashion Sector Strategy.
The study will examine the viability of establishing a technology-enabled clothing manufacturing facility in New South Wales capable of supporting research and development, product testing and small-scale production for Australian fashion brands.
The AFC said the proposed Clothing Smart Factory would serve as a manufacturing incubator equipped with digital pattern making, digital textile printing, CNC cutting, automated production line machinery and advanced finishing technologies.
The feasibility study will assess market demand, technical requirements, workforce and skills needs, financial modelling, and opportunities for government and industry co-investment.
The research will be conducted by a consortium comprising RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), bringing together expertise in advanced manufacturing, textile technology and digital skills.
AFC General Manager Sam Delgos said the study was intended to examine how Australia could strengthen its domestic clothing manufacturing capability.
“Australia has extraordinary design talent, but for decades we’ve watched our clothing manufacturing capability move offshore,” Delgos said.
“If we’re serious about building a globally competitive fashion industry, we need the infrastructure to support it. This feasibility study is our blueprint; bringing together industry, government and Australia’s leading universities to explore a new model for advanced, on-demand production.”
Delgos added that the project aims to build the case for long-term investment in sovereign manufacturing, future skills and local production.
Epson Australia, which is supporting the project as the AFC’s strategic print and projection partner, said its Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric digital textile printing technology is designed to support on-demand garment manufacturing while reducing waste, water use and supply chain complexity.
Craig Heckenberg, managing director of Epson Australia and New Zealand, said the company was pleased to contribute its technology and expertise to the initiative.
“Digital textile printing is transforming how garments are designed and made, reducing waste and water use while enabling local, on-demand production,” Heckenberg said.
“We are delighted we can bring our technology and expertise to a project that will reshape the future of Australian fashion manufacturing.”
NSW Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said the state government supported initiatives aimed at strengthening local manufacturing.
“A clothing smart factory has the potential to create skilled local jobs, strengthen our advanced manufacturing base and broaden our innovation ecosystem,” Chanthivong said.
“This feasibility study is an important step in building the networks across academia and industry to enhance our manufacturing expertise and competitiveness in this sector.”
Representatives from the participating universities said the study would help assess opportunities for advanced and sustainable fashion manufacturing.
RMIT Professor and Dean of the School of Fashion & Textiles Dr Alice Payne said the university was “excited to partner on this nationally significant project” and help establish “a funding model that is sustainable and scalable.”
Swinburne University of Technology Executive Dean of the School of Design and Architecture Professor Blair Kuys said on-demand and personalised fashion represented an opportunity for Australia’s manufacturing and creative sectors.
“This study is an important step towards supporting the future of advanced fashion manufacturing in Australia,” Kuys said.
UTS Dean of the Faculty of Design & Society Professor James Bennett said the university would contribute its expertise through a workforce analysis as part of the project.
According to the AFC, the feasibility study is expected to conclude in late 2026 and will produce a blueprint for a potential Clothing Smart Factory in NSW. The organisation said its longer-term ambition is to develop a scalable model that could support a national network of smart factories over the coming decade.
