Government News

The University of Southern Queensland is a successful recipient under the Australian Government’s $362m Trailblazer Universities initiative, giving the green light to the University of Southern Queensland-led ‘Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics (iLAuNCH) Hub’. In a giant step for the Australian space sector, the University of Southern Queensland leads Australia’s effort to boost commercialisation and national capability in the space sector thanks to $50m in funding from the Federal Government’s inaugural Trailblazer Universities Program. Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie said along with university partners the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of South Australia (UniSA), and industry partners, the University would lead Australian breakthroughs in an area of critical national manufacturing priority. “The University of Southern Queensland is already a leader in space manufacturing with expertise in hypersonic propulsion systems, advanced materials, and astrophysics,” Professor Mackenzie said. “iLAuNCH Hub will improve Australia’s skills in the space sector, providing new jobs and boosting the economy, and also help ensure our country’s space expertise grows well into the future.” It is anticipated that the…

Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge 2022 aims to bring together industry partners and creative innovators to co-develop sustainable solutions in key areas such as sustainable materials, packaging, zero-waste, and many more. The fourth edition of the Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge, launched by Enterprise Singapore, aims to bring together industry partners and creative innovators to co-develop sustainable solutions. Solutions should be implemented locally and regionally before pushing them out on a global scale. For this challenge, each of our industry partners bring a unique challenge statement addressing key themes of Green Buildings, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Food Source, Zero-waste, Sustainable Materials and Packaging. Winning innovators will access a unique opportunity for co-innovation with corporates, benefiting from their extensive expertise, mentorship, and resources. Other prize rewards include potential grant support from Enterprise Singapore, A$76,000 from Hexagon Group, alongside potential funding and test-bedding opportunities from the industry partners themselves. The time is now to make a tangible difference to your business and the sustainable goals of our planet. The cooperation between the Australian manufacturing industry and that of Singapore (and others), ensures investment…

The NSW Government has just launched the Future Industries Investment Program, aimed at increasing productivity in the NSW economy and maximising the benefits of investment across NSW. The Program will focus on attracting and growing innovative, high-growth businesses in priority industries and driving productivity growth in emerging high-value technologies, such as digital technology, medical technology, and the clean economy. Up to $30m will be available in grant funding under the Program. For projects located in Western Parkland City, an additional $4.75m is available in grant funding from the Western Sydney Investment Attraction Fund. Applicants seeking assistance from the Program may be eligible for project expense rebates, paid to the applicant on audited accounts of pre-approved project expenses. To ensure the maximum impact of the Program, the Department of Enterprise, Investment, and Trade may seek to negotiate the types and quantum of support, and the components of any final support package will be at the discretion of the Minister. To find out if your business is eligible start the application process today. Applications are now open and close at 5pm AEDT Friday…

Additive Assurance, a leader in quality assurance for additive manufacturing, today announced the successful completion of a $4.1m funding round as it pushes forward with its international expansion plan. The round was led by Significant Capital Ventures (SCV) and supported by Hostplus alongside existing shareholders IP Group Australia and Monash Investment Holdings. The new investment will support growth initiatives, including the establishment of an Additive Manufacturing quality assurance centre of excellence at its Melbourne headquarters, and the expansion of research and development and international business development teams. Additive Assurance has developed AMiRIS, a world-leading solution for quality assurance of 3D-printed metal parts, based on technology originally developed at Monash University. AMiRIS allows manufacturers to ensure the structural integrity of components as they are being made and correct any anomalies when they occur. Additive Assurance is working with leading global customers in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries to enable the use of 3D-printed parts in serial production. “We are delighted to receive the support of SCV and existing investors to underpin our continued expansion,” said Marten Jurg, co-founder and CEO of Additive…

The Australian Government hopes an advocate will help grow local manufacturing of safe, fast, and sustainable rail. Assistant Minister for Manufacturing Tim Ayres said the Rail Supplier Advocate and the Office of National Rail Industry Coordination (ONRIC) will advise the Government on the Australian rail industry and the most effective strategies to back Australian manufacturing. “Australia’s railways have been a core part of our national story since Federation, and they employ more than 50,000 people today,” Assistant Minister Ayres said. “High-quality Australian rail manufacturing should be part of our vision to reduce emissions, secure supply chains, and put Australian research and innovation to work. “The Rail Supplier Advocate will be an important part of the National Rail Manufacturing Plan – the plan will support skilled manufacturing jobs and support more trains being built here in Australia. The Advocate will support small to medium-sized enterprises and manufacturers to seize export opportunities, market their products to government, and champion sectoral initiatives to improve competitiveness.” Assistant Minister Ayres said the recruitment process will commence in the coming days. “I want the very best person for this role…

Minister Husic said at his National Press Club Address that manufacturers are already some of the country’s biggest investors in research and development. Currently, the manufacturing sector makes up almost 30% of total R&D expenditure through the government’s R&D Tax Incentive. “The science ecosystem is a broad one, spanning the lab bench to the board room to the factory floor,” he said. “We need to support it, and sustain it, from basic research at the lab bench to new industrial uses and technologies. To this end, we have kicked off a consultation to revitalise Australia’s science priorities.” The Federal Government’s review of the Australian Research Council and the development of a Universities Accord, is led by Ed Husic, and Jason Clare, Minister for Education. As part of their new science and technology pipeline, the government has a goal of generating up to 1.2 million tech-related jobs in Australia by 2030. The Minister mentioned at the NPC address that, “there are already more software engineers and developers in Australia than there are hairdressers…

The Digital Jobs for Manufacturing Program is open to businesses with a manufacturing presence in Victoria which are on a growth trajectory and are seeking to utilise their existing workforce to apply digital technology to their operations. Global manufacturing is becoming increasingly technology-driven, requiring highly skilled workers and a competitive edge in new techniques. Manufacturing technologies are constantly changing and manufacturers in Victoria need to continuously adapt to maintain their advantage. The Digital Jobs for Manufacturing Program assists Victorian manufacturing businesses adapt to a digital operating environment by providing nominated employees with fully subsidised digital skills training. Funding is available to manufacturing businesses to enroll their employees in a training course in a highly sought-after digital skill. Businesses can select from a list of 12-week online, part-time industry-endorsed courses. Examples include (but are not limited to): data analytics; cloud computing; IT operations and support; web development; digital marketing; enterprise resource planning (ERP); customer relationship management (CRM); or robotic process automation. Grants of up to $5,000 are available per employee and require…

Minister for Education, The Hon Jason Clare has announced that the Australian Research Centre will fund the establishment of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative Composites for the Future of Sustainable Mining Equipment at the University of Wollongong (UOW). UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Patricia Davidson said the Illawarra is the perfect setting for a centre focusing on sustainable mining. “Wollongong has deeply held roots in mining and manufacturing, and this training centre will be the perfect launch pad for global collaboration and innovation,” Professor Davidson said. “Our state-of-the-art engineering and technology hubs will offer the perfect environment to train the future minds of mining and to find solutions to revolutionise an industry that contributes 15% of Australian GDP.” In Australia the Mining Equipment, Technology and Service (METS) sector is estimated to add more than $50bn and 80,000 new jobs to the Australian economy by 2030. The transformation of the sector towards more efficient, cost-effective, innovative, sustainable and digital operations will require safer machinery and equipment, which is able to operate in deeper mines and harsh…

Queensland’s new Energy and Jobs Plan represents a great leap forward in delivering clean energy, thousands of jobs, and multimillion-dollar economic opportunities for the Sunshine State, the Climate Council says. “Queensland has substantially raised its renewable energy target to 70% by 2032, with a $62bn investment in regional communities, good jobs, and clean power for all Queenslanders. This is a big step forward for the Sunshine State,” Amanda McKenzie, CEO of the Climate Council said. “With its Energy Plan, Queensland has set itself up to cash in on the global transition away from polluting coal and gas, while bringing coal workers and regional communities along on the inevitable journey. It’s great to see that 95% of the $62bn spent on this plan will be invested in the regions. “This now puts Queensland ahead of the big states for their 2030 renewable energy targets. Queensland is now aiming for 60% by 2030, compared to Victoria which has pledged 50% by 2030, and New South Wales with no specific target. Queenslanders have already suffered enormously from climate change-fueled floods and fires.  In fact, during the announcement, Queensland Premier Annastacia…

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)-based professionals from Anglo American and ConocoPhillips Australia, both with significant operations in the region, volunteered their time with the Bright Future STEM Program to engage and inspire more than 500 schoolkids from Moura, Gladstone, and Biloela. The Bright Future STEM Program, designed and delivered by the Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA), uses a combination of industry role models and hands-on interactive activities to teach students aged nine to twelve about the range of STEM careers in the resources and energy sector. “The Bright Future STEM team had a fantastic time in central Queensland last week, joining STEM professionals from Anglo American and ConocoPhillips Australia to engage and inspire schoolkids,” AREEA Director Operations, Tara Diamond said.“ In recent years it has become increasingly important to get the younger generation interested in studying STEM fields. With the resources and energy industry set to experience significant growth in its STEM-based workforce demand, getting the younger generation interested in STEM is a…

Space Machines Company (SMC), the Australian in-space transportation and logistics startup, has secured the support of SpaceX as a launch partner to carry its Optimus Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) to space as part of its April 2023 mission. SMC's Optimus OTV is one of the largest commercial spacecraft designed and manufactured in Australia. It is a testament to the innovation of Australia's space tech sector and the sovereign capability being built by SMC. The 2023 mission will demonstrate the 270kg Optimus OTV’s ability to deliver in-space logistics services and will reinforce SMC’s strategy as a last-mile delivery services provider. The 2023 mission will also see SMC deploy solutions for foundation customers. The Optimus spacecraft’s assembly and integration will occur at the Space Machines Company facility within the University of Technology Sydney’s (UTS) Tech Lab and will demonstrate Australian sovereign access to space capability. More than 6,000 active and inactive satellites are currently in orbit, and by 2030, there will be more than 100,000. Space will increasingly need infrastructure and logistics services to support and manage the exponential…

Onshore manufacturing of life-saving mRNA vaccines took a major step forward on Monday, with the Australian Government, Moderna and the Victorian Government finalising all arrangements for the ten-year partnership. Under these new agreements, an mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility will be built at Monash University, helping protect Australians against future pandemics, supporting local industry and creating highly skilled local jobs. Moderna will also establish its headquarters and a Regional Research Centre in Victoria. Once operational, the facility will be able to produce up to 100 million vaccine doses every year. Once this critical onshore mRNA capability is established, Australia will reduce its dependence on imported mRNA vaccines and our vulnerability to supply disruptions or delays. It will give Australians local and ongoing access to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine – Spikevax – and give us an onshore mRNA manufacturing capability in the event of a new pandemic, such as avian influenza or another new pathogen, vaccine-resistant COVID-19 variants or a global resurgence of infections. The partnership will lead to a world-class mRNA ecosystem based in Melbourne, attract highly skilled staff and expand local capability through joint…

Celebrating its 20th year, the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards was staged spectacularly at the Crown Palladium down by the Yarra to showcase the achievements of manufacturers across Victoria. The awards recognised the excellence of individuals and companies that have embraced new technologies, are export-focused, and drive business innovation. AMTIL would especially like to congratulate the Members who won major awards on the night. Paul Hughes from Integra Systems accepted their Induction into the Hall of Fame (above); Pat McCluskey and Patrick Boland from ANCA, entered the Honor Roll for their Services to Industry. And then Barry Finnin from Amaero Additive Manufacturing won the Award for Small Manufacturing Business of the Year. The Hon Ben Carroll MP, The Victorian Minister for Industry, Support and Recovery in introducing the awards with ABC’s Virginia Trioli as a very engaging MC, said that “this year’s winners and finalists showcase the strength of our manufacturing industry and are paving the way for a bright future ahead.” “These advancements are cementing Victoria’s status as the epicentre of Australian advanced manufacturing and a destination of choice for leading companies,” he…