Member Matters

The path made clear

31 August 2026

Did you know you’re part of Australia’s largest manufacturing sector?

Many colleagues don’t.

Nearly every Australian relies on our sector every day, yet few would guess it supports more than 300,000 jobs and generates $183 billion in turnover.

The numbers matter. But they’re only useful if people hear them and we do something meaningful with that scale. If we want policymakers to back investment, productivity and growth, they need to understand the contribution we’re already making and where we’re trying to go.

That’s why this year’s State of the Industry report matters. The numbers show where we are today and next to other analyses shared at our APEX 2026 conference, chart a potential way forward for our sector.

If you haven’t read it yet, I encourage you to spend a few minutes with this year’s edition.

At APEX 2026 in Melbourne last week we took a step back from the day-to-day and talked honestly about our industry’s shared pressures, opportunities and ambitions.

To everyone who helped make the conference such a success: thank you. We brought together people who care deeply about the future of this industry. That’s worth celebrating.

The State of the Industry report helps make the path ahead clear. The conversations at APEX reminded me that we’ve got the people to walk it. That’s a pretty good note to end on.

Scott McGrath
Director – Stakeholders, Engagement & Policy