Advanced Manufacturing
Wollongong has over 100 years of innovation and expertise in making things. Today, steel, defence, machinery and fabrication firms supply national and global markets from Australia's largest steelmaking site, backed by a skilled workforce and a deep-water port.
Manufacturing is in Wollongong's DNA
Advanced manufacturing is core to Wollongong's identity and its future growth. More than a century of industrial capability has built a diverse base spanning steel processing, defence, infrastructure, machinery, equipment design and advanced fabrication.
That proud history now supports advanced manufacturers competing nationally and globally, underpinned by skilled labour, specialist facilities and established supply chains - increasingly positioned to supply Australia's clean-energy transition.
Australia's largest steelmaking site BlueScope's steelworks anchors a dense concentration of advanced industrial operations and expertise
Highly skilled manufacturing workforce Engineers, trades and technicians experienced in fabrication, quality assurance and large-scale manufacturing
Deep-water port and supply chains Direct links across steel, defence, infrastructure, energy and transport, beside Port Kembla (one of Australia's largest ports)
Manufacturing capability at scale
Wollongong's strengths in machinery, equipment design and complex production let businesses compete in domestic and export markets, supported by a workforce with experience across the full manufacturing lifecycle. Key strengths include:
- Design and manufacture of complex machinery and equipment
- Bespoke, high-specification production
- Tight integration between design, engineering and fabrication
- End-to-end quality assurance for regulated and high-risk industries
- Experience scaling production for national and export markets
Supporting national defence supply chains
Wollongong manufacturers play an active role in Australia's defence procurement ecosystem, with capabilities across:
- Engineering design and project management
- Advanced welding and fabrication
- Armour-plate steel processing
- Specialist protective coatings and blasting
- Ruggedised computing and communications
- Gearbox design, manufacture and servicing
- Cyber encryption technologies
Did you know? The armoured steel used in the Collins Class submarines, Adelaide Class frigates and Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers was manufactured in Wollongong.
Innovation and industry collaboration
Collaboration sits at the core of Wollongong's manufacturing strength. Manufacturers, engineers, researchers and industry leaders work as a connected ecosystem that helps businesses build capability and innovate.
- i3net (Illawarra Innovative Industry Network) connects local businesses with project opportunities and decision-makers, helping keep work and jobs in the region.
- RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven links business, government and industry around strategic investment, advocacy and long-term growth across advanced industries, defence and infrastructure.
- University of Wollongong supports the sector through applied research, engineering expertise and a pipeline of industry-ready graduates, partnering with manufacturers on new products, processes and skills.
- The energy-transition opportunity: Wollongong's fabrication and engineering base is well placed to support renewable energy enabling technology and equipment.
Skills and capability pipeline
Wollongong's capability is reinforced by a $47 million TAFE NSW investment in the Illawarra Heavy Industry Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at TAFE NSW Wollongong, delivering industry-aligned training in digital, electrical and robotic manufacturing. For manufacturers, that means access to job-ready talent trained on relevant equipment.
Updates
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Industry bodies
