Australian Manufacturing Week 2026

**This story originally appeared in the April 2026 edition of AMT Magazine**

Marking a milestone moment for Australia’s premier event for precision manufacturers and hosted by AMTIL with support from the Queensland Government, AMW brings together the nation’s most comprehensive display of advanced manufacturing technology. With a sold-out exhibition floor and a program designed to help Australian industry move faster, build capability, grow and diversify, AMW is expected to impress.

Over more than 25 years, AMW has evolved into the definitive platform for evaluating world-leading equipment, gaining practical insight and making high-value connections. The 2026 edition extends that legacy to Queensland for the first time, reflecting the State’s growing prominence across defence, resources, aerospace, clean energy technologies and precision engineering.

“Manufacturing is evolving rapidly across Australia, and Queensland is no exception,” said Lorraine Maxwell, CEO of AMTIL. “Queensland is home to a growing number of innovative manufacturers. AMW 2026 will highlight the strength of this local industry while continuing to serve as a national platform for showcasing excellence in advanced manufacturing.”

A national event in a growing manufacturing hub

Brisbane offers a timely setting for AMW’s first Queensland edition. The city sits at the heart of a state with expanding capability in defence, aerospace, advanced materials and clean energy technologies. Hosting AMW in Brisbane puts national attention on that momentum and gives Queensland businesses direct access to suppliers, knowledge and networks from across Australia and beyond.

“Hosting AMW in Brisbane underscores the confidence and momentum within Queensland’s manufacturing sector,” said Dale Last MP, Queensland Government’s Minister for Manufacturing. “It will bring national attention to local capability and give Queensland businesses direct access to the suppliers and know how that accelerate growth.”

A show floor built for decisions

AMW 2026 will feature more than 220 exhibitors, with exhibitor space completely sold out. The exhibition is structured across six focused product zones to streamline discovery and help visitors get ‘hands on’ with the technologies that matter most to their operations:

• Machine tools
• Additive manufacturing
• Robotics and automation
• Welding and air technology
• Manufacturing solutions
• Australian Manufacturers’ Pavilion

Across the show floor, visitors can expect live demonstrations spanning CNC machining and precision engineering, robotics cells and cobots, automated handling and inspection, additive manufacturing solutions, industrial software and data, and integrated automation platforms. The emphasis is on capability that can be evaluated in person, compared side-by-side and mapped to current business priorities.

“There is no substitute for being there in person,” said Paul Phillips, Managing Director of Benson Machines and AMTIL Board Member. “With all the videos and digital tools available, you still cannot replicate the experience of seeing a machine running on the floor, asking technical questions and comparing options side by side. AMW is where those decisions get made.”

Future Solutions Speaker Series

Running alongside the exhibition, the Future Solutions Speaker Series will explore the forces reshaping Australian manufacturing and provide practical guidance for leaders and teams. Sessions will address innovation pathways, operational excellence, digital transformation, workforce development, and strategies for competing in fast changing markets. The program is designed to give attendees the context, case studies and confidence to act.

“The Future Solutions Program focuses on real decisions manufacturers are making now,” said Kim Banks, Exhibition Director of AMTIL. “From adopting automation to building skills and lifting competitiveness, it will help visitors connect technology choices with business outcomes.”

The power of AMW lies in pairing working technology on the floor with expert insights from expert speakers. Attendees can evaluate equipment in action, then deepen the conversation by exploring implementation, change management and return on investment within the speaker program.

Network with Australia’s manufacturing community

AMW remains the country’s largest opportunity to connect with peers on a scale. Thousands of engineers, production specialists, educators and executives will converge in Brisbane to compare notes, share lessons and find partners. That includes informal touchpoints across the floor and through surrounding events, where conversations often translate into projects, pilots and long-term relationships.

Phil Bowles, AMTIL Board Member, says AMW’s networking dimension is essential. “If visitors leave AMW with only a shopping list, they have missed half the value. Partnerships, capability building, digital literacy and workforce conversations are part of the experience. You can research equipment online, but you cannot replace the conversations you have here.”

Showcasing sovereign capability

As Queensland expands its industrial footprint across defence, aerospace, critical minerals and emerging energy technologies, the strategic importance of building resilient, high‑skill manufacturing capability continues to grow. AMW provides a national platform for that discussion, helping accelerate the development and adoption of the technologies that underpin Australia’s future competitiveness.

“Events like AMW help strengthen the foundations of our sovereign industrial capability,” said Minister Last. “By connecting Queensland manufacturers with national and international expertise, the exhibition supports the growth of secure, skilled and future‑focused industry across the State.”

First time collaboration with the Endeavour Awards

For the first time, AMW will collaborate with the Endeavour Awards, held on Wednesday 13 May during the week of the show. The awards recognise excellence across Australian manufacturing, including innovation, sustainability, leadership and skills development. The timing creates a concentrated celebration of success while visitors are in Brisbane to experience the technology and capability that enable it.

Plan your visit and register early

AMW 2026 is set to be a landmark gathering for the manufacturing community. Registration is free, and attendees are strongly encouraged to pre-register. Doing so speeds badge collection and gets visitors onto the floor faster, ensuring more time with exhibitors and within the Future Solutions Program.

To explore all that AMW has to offer, and to register for event access, visit www.australianmanufacturingweek.com.au.