Queensland offers strong capabilities across diverse established sectors such as engineering, machinery and equipment, mineral and metal product manufacturing. The State also boasts newer sectors with high growth potential such as electronics, rail equipment and services and fibre composites, where Queensland has a distinct competitive edge.

The advanced manufacturing framework

Trends in world markets mean major opportunities for Queensland manufacturers, especially those producing high-value, knowledge-intensive goods and services. The State Government's advanced manufacturing framework supports key sub-sectors, clusters and individual companies focused on value-adding and developing and using new technologies. The Queensland Government partners with manufacturing leaders, unions, academia and the community to deliver this support and hone the industry's competitiveness. Assistance is enhanced by strong industry-focused education, technology diffusion and research and development infrastructure. Specialist agencies such as QMI Solutions and facilities including centres of excellence for Railway Engineering, Process Engineering and Light Metals, Microelectronics and Fibre Composites support product and process innovation and underpin the growth of this high-performing sector.

Location

Manufacturing has a significant presence throughout Queensland with regional areas hosting 28 per cent of industry activity. Regional strategies, including the State's Centres of Enterprise initiatives, prioritise manufacturing capabilities making a core contribution to the growth of key sectors such as agribusiness, aviation, energy, marine and metals and minerals processing. These strategies complement the statewide advanced manufacturing framework, addressing issues such as supply chain development and skills formation to support the broadening and sustainable expansion of manufacturing.

Where to from here?

The Queensland Government is promoting continuous innovation as the key driver of increased productivity, higher value-adding, product development and access to new markets. To enhance its support for practical, sustainable innovation in manufacturing, the Government is introducing and augmenting measures including:

Assisting development of a skilled manufacturing workforce through:
   - sector-specific skills formation strategies
   - industry/school partnerships
   - manufacturing career education and promotion.
Promoting enterprise and innovation through:
   - international benchmarking and diagnostic services
   - partnerships between industry and research and technology agencies
   - whole-of-business innovation support combining people, practices and products
   - product and process development based on sustainability principles.
Supporting productivity, new capability and more business opportunities through:
   - a statewide advanced manufacturing advisory service
   - facilitation of market and project-focused supply chains
   - delivery of mentoring and capital-raising support
   - targeted investment attraction
   - extension of the Local Industry Policy
   - regional manufacturing networks and partnerships.

For more information

For more information about the Smart Industry Policy and associated industry sector action plans please contact Jacqueline Steel, A/Project Leader, Strategic Policy. Phone: 07 3227 7657

Last updated 29 June 2009