Developed by the Australian Fashion Council in partnership with R.M. Williams and informed by 14 national consultations with more than 300 participants, this is Australia's first industry-led manufacturing strategy for the fashion and textiles sector.
The Strategy sets out a practical ten-year roadmap to rebuild sovereign manufacturing capability, attract government and industry investment, rebuild a sustainable and thriving local supply chain, and embrace technology to ensure global competitiveness.
By 2036, the ambition is clear: Australia will have rebuilt sovereign manufacturing capability in fashion and textiles that is loved locally, recognised globally, and competitive at scale.
Manufacturers cannot invest in workforce or technology without sustained demand signals. Procurement reform is the single most powerful and immediate lever available to strengthen sovereign capability and support domestic value capture
The sector’s ageing workforce presents both risk and opportunity. With 58 per cent female participation in manufacturing and 77 per cent in the broader industry, this is inherently a women’s economic participation strategy.
Australia cannot compete on low cost, but it can compete on quality, agility, traceability and advanced manufacturing. By aligning demand, technology and fibre processing, Australia can capture more value from its own raw materials and rebuild end-to-end domestic capability.
National coordination and governance will address the sector’s structural fragmentation by improving value chain visibility, cross-industry collaboration, workforce mobility and the governance architecture needed to deliver the Strategy.
STRATEGIC PILLAR 1 | ACTIVATE AND DRIVE DEMAND
Review and reform Commonwealth TCF procurement policy
A joint Commonwealth–industry review will establish evidence-based pathways to increase Australian-made content in government purchasing.
Improve national visibility of domestic TCF manufacturing capability
A National TCF Capability Register will address the information gap limiting local supplier participation.
Strengthen Australian made provenance
Updating the Australian made identification to reflect the TCF value chain will increase adoption and drive demand in domestic and export markets.
STRATEGIC PILLAR 2 | SECURE THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE
Implement recommendations from TCF Workforce Insights Project
Formal recognition of the project as the national evidence base will enable targeted policy responses.
Recognise and mobilise existing workforce skills
Pilots for Recognition of Prior Learning and Current Competency will capture deep technical expertise and prevent permanent capability loss.
Reform on-the-job training models
In practice: Establish a dedicated TCF apprenticeship pathway aligned with industry needs and supported by incentives and flexible training delivery.
Promote manufacturing careers and scale workforce participation
In practice: A nationally coordinated careers program, integrated into school curricula and state platforms to attract new entrants into skilled, long-term roles.
STRATEGIC PILLAR 3 | ACCELERATE ADOPTION OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
Establish shared manufacturing infrastructure and smart facilities
In practice: Co-invest in shared manufacturing innovation hubs that provide industry access to modern equipment and technology.
Co-invest in modern machinery and digital production
In practice: A dedicated co-investment mechanism for TCF manufacturers informed by the TCF Innovation Readiness Review to drive targeted sector modernisation.
Rebuild early-stage fibre processing and circular capability
In practice: Rebuild early-stage fibre processing through pilot investment in onshore value-adding and procurement settings that support Australian-grown and recycled fibres.
Enabling Layer — National Coordination
The three Strategic Pillars are interconnected and underpinned by national coordination and collaboration. The governance model includes a Strategy Implementation Group, Pillar Working Groups, and formal review points in 2029 and 2036.
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