Overview

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world.  Its land mass is equivalent to the size of the 48 contiguous United States and is 50 percent larger than Europe.  Interestingly, however, Australia has the lowest population density in the world at only two people per square kilometer. 

Australia is probably best known for such things as kangaroos and koala bears, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and for being a plentiful source of natural opals.  However, PACIA (The Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association) in Australia has this to say: “The Plastics and Chemicals industries represent Australia's fourth largest manufacturing sector, with turnover of $24.6 billion annually ~ 10 percent of the entire manufacturing sector. The industries provide direct employment for more than 81,000 people.” 

The Tooling Industry Forum of Australia (TIFA) offers these facts and statistics: 

“Australia has a strong tooling industry that supplies to both the domestic and international markets. The primary focus of the Australian tooling industry has been in the automotive industry. Competition from overseas toolmakers and the high expectations of overseas customers, particularly in the automotive industry are critical pressure points for tooling in Australia. 

“The tooling industry in Australia has the following profile:

• Over 500 tool making establishments;

• Directly employs up to 7,000 people;

• Averages total sales of over $1.0 billion annually;

• Designs and manufactures a large range of tooling products from fine metal blanking dies for the electrical industry to large automotive sheet metal body dies and bumper facia moulds;

• Exports more than A$150 million of tooling to P R China, Europe, India, Indonesia, South

• Korea, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, USA;

• Major customers include: Ford, GM, Daimler-Chrysler, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, SAIC, FAW, Visteon, Lear, Tupperware, Autoliv, Ericson, Boeing, Bosch, VDO, Pilkington, Borg Warner, Hella, Electrolux;

• Top 60 companies constitute over 50% of sales;

• Some 30 companies exporting, up from less than 10 only five years ago;

• Major auto projects include full vehicle cockpit moulds, major portions of assembly fixture/welding lines, major body refits, component tooling and assembly lines, special purpose machines and equipment;

• Imports an average of A$200 million annually which reflects the cyclical demand of the auto industry sector;

• The industry is very cost competitive in the supply of high quality complex dies and moulds”

According to an economic overview given in December 2004 by the United States’ CIA, “Australia has an enviable Western-style capitalist economy, with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European economies. Rising output in the domestic economy has been offsetting the global slump, and business and consumer confidence remains robust. Australia's emphasis on reforms, low inflation, and growing ties with China are other key factors behind the economy's strength.” 

Australia is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

The following link is a useful report about Australia’s industrial sector and is published by the Australia Chamber of Commerce & Industry:

http--www.acci.asn.au-text_files-surveys-Westpac_Survey-2004-Dec Qtr-December ACCI 2004.pdf      

Toolmakers & Processors Statistics

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, “In the 2001 Census, 1,010,179 (12.2%) people (741,383 males and 268,796 females) were employed in the Manufacturing industry, which compares with 965,036 (12.6%) people (695,007 males and 270,029 females) in the 1996 Census and 904,046 (12.8%) people (655,775 males and 248,271 females) in the 1991 Census.  The State or Territory in Australia with the highest percentage of people employed in the Manufacturing industry in the 2001 Census was Victoria (15.3%).” 

Next to Victoria, according to the Australian government, New South Wales is the most heavily populated with manufacturing businesses, followed by Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia respectively. 

• Metal Casting Trades – 800 workers

• Metal Moulders Assistants – 14,600 workers

• Die/Metal Casting Mould Fabricators – 800 workers

• Metal Fitters & Machinists – 94,200 workers

• Plastics Production Machine Operators (Plastics processors) – 11,900 workers

• Toolmakers – 7,500 workers

Import/Export Data* 

The Australian Trade Commission, in an article reporting on exports for 2002-3, describes export activity for the country as follows: “In terms of industry by export revenue, the most significant exporting industries (in terms of businesses which owned goods at the time of export) were manufacturing (40%), mining (31%), and wholesale trade (20%). These industries accounted for around $104 billion of the $115 billion worth (or 90%) of goods exported from Australia during this period. Significantly, in such a tough year, the number of manufacturing exporters grew by around 300.  [In a state by state breakdown], WA took the honours by contributing 30% of Australia’s goods export revenue followed by Queensland on 19%, and NSW and Victoria (both on 17% with a concentration in manufacturing).” 

The following statistics were provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (Note that all dollar amounts are in Australian dollars.): 

Exports