Government News

The Victorian Circular Economy Recycling Modernisation Fund aims to build the capacity, capability, and resilience of Victoria’s resource recovery sector, support businesses to respond to the national regulation of waste exports, increase the quality of materials for manufacturing and create jobs in the circular economy. Projects should be focused on the purchase, installation, and commission of new equipment or technology or upgrade of existing facilities to increase domestic reprocessing capacity and/or improve the quality of material and/or increase the use of recycled content in manufacturing. What are the eligibility criteria? Applicants must be Australian businesses that have been operating for a minimum of two years. Projects must be located in Victoria and source 50% or more of the project materials from Victorian sources. What funding is available? Successful projects could receive a grant between $50,000 and $1m on a $1: $2 (Sustainability Vic: Applicant) basis. What activities are eligible for funding? Eligible projects should: — Improve the recovery and local reprocessing of priority materials. This round includes mixed paper and cardboard, plastics wastes, tyres and glass. — Improve recycling outcomes by addressing critical infrastructure gaps in…

The Queensland Government launched the State’s first Biofutures Roadmap and Action Plan back in 2016 to help establish Queensland as a world-leading and sustainable region for the Biofutures industry. Queensland has now signed an MoU with airline giant Qantas and Airbus to unlock the state’s potential to manufacture SAF in the local area of Gladstone, as part of that Roadmap. Qantas and Airbus have committed to investing a combined $307m to develop a local SAF industry and have lobbied the federal government to do more to create the necessary policy framework and incentives needed to properly boost investment. The Queensland biofuel refinery will be the first project funded under the joint partnership.  It is not lost on the QLD or Federal Government that Australia needs to substitute ethanol in fuel and offer significant tax breaks to renewable fuels if it wants to reach its international climate targets. Queensland has attracted Oceania Biofuels to Gladstone to establish Australia’s first commercial sustainable aviation fuel biorefinery. The $500m facility, is a significant step in growing the emerging biofutures industry and,…

Harrison SPARC will receive $1.9m from the Federal Government to value-add to Australia’s critical mineral capabilities. Harrison SPARC is the R&D arm of The Harrison Group, an Australian manufacturing stalwart that helps turn the wheels of the automotive, agricultural, manufacturing, logistics and mining industries at home and globally. The funding was announced very recently by Resources Minister Madeline King as part of the Critical Minerals Development Program. A $50m grant scheme designed to accelerate the development of Australia’s critical minerals sector, it will also support downstream value-add process as outlined in the Federal Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy 2022. The grant will enable Harrison SPARC (Strategic Projects and Advanced Research Centre) to expand the group’s chemical manufacturing capabilities. Harrison SPARC was started in 2021 to innovate and expand The Harrison Group’s capabilities and offering in the critical infrastructure industries. Sydney-based sister company, Harrison Manufacturing produces high-performance grease, lubricants, oils and imports specialty chemical additives, supplying approximately 50% of domestic market usage. It also exports its know-how and tailor-made lubricant applications to industries such as mining across…

Day Three of AMW2023 showcases a range of manufacturing successes and advances happening here at home, some of these exporting out into the world market. Today, the show floor is pumping, chock-full of immense displays of machine tooling outfits, CNC cutting tools, and grinders. From where I stand, I see sales managers, CEOs, and business managers meeting as many people as possible. What an incredible, active industry. Some of the bigger companies from Europe are now making their moves to establish Australian headquarters. They have the confidence of a big market here. Schunk, Trumpf, Bonfiglioli and Trotec, ASA, SWI Engineering, and others, are all-powerful suppliers of many international tool brands. This year, AMW has a lot of enticing displays with extra focus. The SAVIC electric motorcycle is here.  The Applied EV Blanc robot vehicle is also here, which makes me happy.  Altair Software and Applied EV got together and made this entirely new sector of transport a future possibility. The Future Solutions Speaker program, proudly supported by Autodesk, spans the wide brown land of Australian Manufacturing. David…

From down on the show floor, as the clock whizzed past 10am on Wednesday, the hall was swamped, and the pressure didn’t stop all day. Exhibitors I managed to speak to were impressed by the numbers in the aisles as well as the quality of their visitors. Walking from one end of the show floor took about an hour if I tried hard to not talk to anyone. And for me, that’s not easy to do. There was quite a thorough assessment of the Federal Budget on offer by the crew at William Buck with an online meeting that covered many areas of business. Click through HERE to access the recording of the presentation if you have time later. Today’s theme in the Future Solutions Featured Speaker Sessions involved the industry women in Australia and their place in manufacturing. The CEO of SEMMA (South East Melbourne Manufacturing Association) dismissed the label of ‘Pale, Male and Stale’, and introduced two women working and succeeding in the field of manufacturing, one an Apprentice of the Year. Their…

The Hon Ben Carroll MP, Victorian Minister for Industry and Innovation opened AMW2023 at 10:10am this morning at the Future Solutions Speakers Stage. AMTIL was also honoured to have Tony Garvey, a celebrated Elder from the local Wurundjeri mob invite them to proceed, with a Welcome to Country for AMW 2023. Doors are open!  Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023, Australian Manufacturing gets to show off a little for the whole week. Organised by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will fill ‘Jeff’s Shed’ almost to bursting, with 346 companies showing off the latest manufacturing tech, processes, and support services. Some of the biggest machine tool systems in the world will be there, in operation! The Future Solutions Speakers Stage at 10:10 AM on Tuesday 9th May. There is so much to see, with Seven Zones in the biggest room in Australia. Manufacturing presentations and attractions are the name of the show from Additive Manufacturing, to Machine Tools, Robotics and Automation. There’s also a bunch of manufacturing solution, supporting the industry, including legal, accounting and investment.…

Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023) is approaching fast! Less than four days! Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will take up more than 10,770 square metres at the MCEC, with over 346 organisations showcasing the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Over the four days, there will be presentations on the AMW Future Solutions Stage from specialists in each field.  There are side events, huge networking opportunities, big machining tools and plenty of spectacular tech on display. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au There are also two co-located shows alongside AMW 2023.  Deeply related to the manufacturing industries, namely Plastics and Electronics. The Plastics and Medical Applications is a one-day conference held by the Society of Plastics Engineers Australia-New Zealand Section on Wednesday 10th May. This One-Day Conference is in collaboration with AMTIL, AMW2023, BioMelbourne Network and the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA). To register for the One-Day Conference, go to: plastics.org.au   ElectroneX is an electronics…

If you are working at any level in manufacturing and you are passionate about innovation, Manufacturing Skills Australia wants to help you achieve your goals! We encourage and support people who work or study in sectors and occupations within manufacturing industries, including: metal, engineering, and boating aerospace process manufacturing, including chemicals, hydrocarbons, mineral products, plastics, and rubber. laboratory operations recreational vehicles textiles, clothing, and footwear furnishing competitive systems and practices (Lean) environmental monitoring and sustainable operations. Applicants can apply for between $1,000 and $10,000 to develop their skills and knowledge through research, education and/or training. Applications for 2023 are open from 1st of May and will close on 1st of July 2023. Applications are welcomed from all individuals employed or seeking employment in the Australian Manufacturing industry seeking support for individual skilling and development that is not supported by any other funding opportunity. Applying is Simple! If you are working or studying in manufacturing and you are passionate about innovation or developing your career through increasing your own skills and knowledge, we want to help…

Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023) is approaching fast! This will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will almost fill ‘Jeff’s Shed’, more than 10,770 square metres, with 346 organisations showcasing the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au We've detailed some of the attractions on the other days in previous posts, and here is the line-up for the final day. On Friday 12 May, Day FOUR of AMW 2023, the Future Solutions Speaker program has a theme of ‘Innovation and Research’ at the Sessions Stage at AMW2023!  This is your chance to hear about the future of manufacturing. 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Monash Smart Manufacturing Hub – Your access to Talent and Innovation Location: Future Solutions Speaker Sessions Stage Speaker: Prof. Adrian Neild, Founder and Director Smart Manufacturing Hub at Monash Professor Adrian Neild will share how manufacturers can partner…

Did you know Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023) is only ONE WEEK away! This will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will fill ‘Jeff’s Shed’ almost to bursting, with 346 companies showing off the latest manufacturing tech, processes, and support services. Some of the biggest machine tool systems in the world will be there, in operation! Over four days in May, there will be presentations on the AMW Future Solutions Stage from specialists in each field. Supagas is in the Welding and Air Zone at WA235, and they sponsor Erebus Motorsports. Top professional Supercar driver Will Brown is making a special appearance at the Supagas stand on Thursday 11th of May, at 11:00am – 1:00pm. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au Day Three of AMW2023 will showcase a range of manufacturing successes and advances happening here at home, exporting to the world. 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Autodesk Australia - Digital Transformation - Case studies Location : Future Solutions…

AMW2023 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will take up more than 10,770 square metres at the MCEC, with over 340 organisations showcasing the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out!  Register online now at australianmanufacturingweek.com.au Over the four days, there will be presentations on the AMW Future Solutions Stage from specialists in each field. Click HERE for more details On Tuesday 9 May, after the Inauguration and Opening Ceremony by the Victorian Minister for Industry Ben Carroll MP, the AMW Future Solutions Speaker Program opens with AM Hub Digital and Additive Manufacturing. Wednesday 10 May brings a range of speakers involved in the work Women have been doing in the field of Manufacturing in Australia. While the entire show is a celebration of Australian Manufacturing, Thursday 11 May’s bank of speakers on the Future Solutions stage showcases a range of manufacturing successes and advances happening here at home, exporting to the world. On Friday…

Fleet Space Technologies’ $6.4m contract with Australia’s Defence Space Command, is their first defence contract. The agreement will see Fleet's next-generation of Centauri satellites used to develop and demonstrate a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications system focused on tactical communications and data transmission where connectivity is limited. The program, named ASCEND2LEO, will make use of Fleet's commercial satellites. A collaboration between government, defence industry and academia. Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), Fleet Space Technologies, University of South Australia, Rice Satcom Pty Ltd and SmartSat CRC are taking advanced research and technologies to demonstrate LEO capabilities to the warfighter. This innovative approach enables Defence to take advantage of the most modern commercial space technology used by the mining industry with the most up-to-date research to rapidly advance space capabilities. Colonel Clifford White, Director of Space Services at Defence Space Command commented on the partnership: “Australia is fortunate to have a talented space industry with an inventive spirit. Space is operationally critical to the achievement of the Defence mission, and this is an example of an innovative way to advance our…

The Welcome to Country and inauguration ceremony will take place at the Future Solutions Stage from 10:10 AM on Tuesday 9th May. This is the first event for the show. AMTIL is honoured to have Tony Garvey, a celebrated Elder from the local Wurundjeri mob invite them to proceed, with a Welcome to Country for AMW 2023. The Hon. Ben Carroll MP (pictured above), Victorian Minister for Industry and Innovation, and Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty, will then cover the many insights he sees in the Australian Manufacturing future.  There may be a chance he will stay on to check out the show. Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2023) is approaching fast! Two weeks away! This will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9-12 May 2023. Organised and run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2023 will take up more than 10,770 square metres at the MCEC, with over 340 organisations showcasing the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Over the four days, there will be presentations on the AMW Future Solutions Stage from specialists in…