Australia’s fashion and textile industry is stepping into a bold, high-tech new era.
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC), together with iconic brand R.M.Williams, recently unveiled the National Manufacturing Strategy for Australian Fashion and Textiles 2026–2036. Launched at Parliament House in Canberra, this landmark 10-year roadmap is designed to rebuild and scale Australia’s local manufacturing sector and technology and women are at the heart of the transformation.
Currently, a staggering 97% of Australian clothing and textile products are manufactured offshore, leaving our $28 billion fashion industry vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions. The new strategy aims to flip the script by focusing on premium, technology-enabled, and traceable production.
Why Women and Tech Are Leading the Charge
The fashion manufacturing sector already employs more than 27,000 Australians, with women representing an impressive 58% of the workforce—more than double the proportion found in other manufacturing industries.
“This Strategy sets out a clear roadmap for rebuilding a globally competitive Australian fashion and textile manufacturing sector,” said Marianne Perkovic, Executive Chair of the AFC. “Australia already has exceptional design talent, advanced manufacturing capability, and globally recognised brands. With the right coordination across industry, skills, and procurement policy, we can create skilled jobs and position Australia as a leader in premium manufacturing.”
The strategy guarantees that as the industry scales, the strong role women play will be protected and expanded through new skills pathways and apprenticeships.
Smart Factories and Digital Threads
To capture more value locally and process Australia’s world-class natural fibres (like wool and cotton) onshore, advanced manufacturing is critical. This is where the tech comes in.
Technology leaders are stepping up to support this massive shift. Epson, acting as the AFC’s official print and projection partner, is backing the strategy by accelerating digital textile innovation. This includes feasibility work on state-of-the-art “smart factory” models and shared manufacturing hubs.
Craig Heckenberg, Managing Director of Epson Australia, noted that advanced digital production is crucial. “Epson is proud to help accelerate digital technologies that drive sustainability, unlock new opportunities, and create the jobs of the future,” he said. By investing in modern machinery, digital tools, and circular manufacturing, the industry will bridge the “missing middle” of fibre processing and yarn spinning while driving textile recycling.
The $1.4 Billion Economic Impact
Independent modelling from RMIT University reveals that this tech-driven strategy will deliver massive economic benefits. By 2030–31, the plan is projected to:
- Grow manufacturing value from $2.6 billion to $2.9 billion.
- Deliver a $1.4 billion cumulative economic dividend.
- Create more than 1,000 new skilled jobs (with approximately half expected to be filled by women).
- Generate $864 million in additional wages.
A Future “Made in Australia”
The strategy’s launch featured a showcase of diverse local capabilities from brands like Bianca Spender, Bond-Eye Australia, and Clothing the Gaps, alongside the premiere of a new short film, Made Here, Worn Everywhere.
The AFC will lead the strategy’s rollout, tracking procurement reforms and infrastructure development through to 2036. With the right investment in smart technology and local skills, the Australian fashion sector is poised to become a global powerhouse for ethical, sustainable, and premium manufacturing.
For the conscious consumer looking to support transparent, locally made, and tech-forward fashion, that future is arriving faster than ever.
What Happens Next With Australian Fashion Council
The Australian Fashion Council will lead the strategy’s rollout, with progress measured in two key phases:
- Implementation review by 2029 to track procurement reforms, skills programs and infrastructure development
- Strategic outcomes review by 2036 to assess Australia’s progress toward a globally competitive manufacturing sector
The initiative also has strong bipartisan backing through the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Fashion & Textiles group.
In Addition
The Australian fashion industry has long been celebrated for creativity and design.
With the right investment in technology, skills, and local production, the sector could become a powerhouse for sustainable, premium manufacturing on the global stage.
And for Australian consumers increasingly looking to support the ethical, transparent and locally made fashion, that future might arrive sooner than expected.
