Australian Manufacturing Insights | 13 Sep - 19 Sep 2026

Key signals from 13 Sep - 19 Sep

Manufacturing conditions remained difficult in the September-quarter survey. On 17 September, ACCI reported the Westpac-ACCI Actual Composite eased to 49.1 in Q3 from 50.5 in Q2. The survey said new-order growth was absent and a net 48% of respondents reported higher average unit costs. Buyers should distinguish an early quote from a fixed cost commitment and ask suppliers which inputs or freight assumptions need review.
The workforce pipeline remains a longer-term constraint. The Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance released its 2026 National Manufacturing Workforce Plan on 17 September. It says twelve manufacturing-critical occupation groups remain in shortage and projects an additional 91,300 workers by 2035. For buyers, this is a reason to discuss process knowledge, inspection continuity and capacity planning with strategic suppliers rather than assuming skilled labour can be added quickly.
Port Kembla clean-technology manufacturing received a new funding commitment. On 18 September, the Australian Government announced a $49 million investment in Hysata, matched by the company, for commercial-scale electrolyser manufacturing in the Illawarra. The announcement describes a 50 MW-per-year line with potential to expand to 200 MW through continuous operations as demand grows. This is a project commitment, not evidence of immediate component demand; local suppliers should watch procurement notices and qualification requirements.
Trade-remedies administration is being consolidated. On 17 September, the Government said legislation had passed to establish a single specialist body, the Australian Trade Remedies Commission, by moving safeguard inquiries to the former Anti-Dumping Commission. Buyers and local manufacturers facing potentially unfair imports should monitor the new body’s procedures; a policy change does not itself determine a product-specific outcome.

Forgeon view

This week’s signals combine near-term pressure with longer-cycle industrial investment. Survey evidence points to cost and demand uncertainty now, while the workforce plan and clean-technology project point to capability needs that will take time to translate into production.

For CNC turned parts and other made-to-drawing components, the practical response is to reduce ambiguity before production: provide the drawing, material grade, critical dimensions, finish notes, thread details and inspection expectations. Our drawing and quotation guide and inspection guide set out useful starting points for that discussion.

What to watch next

Whether the survey’s higher-cost and softer-order signals persist into the next manufacturing releases.
The sector-specific workforce plans promised for general manufacturing and engineering, and their training implications.
Hysata’s next disclosed procurement, supplier-qualification or commissioning milestones.
Australian Trade Remedies Commission guidance on its consolidated safeguard and trade-remedy functions.

Sources reviewed

This weekly note was prepared from dated public releases and industry survey reporting published during the reporting period. Forgeon’s buyer implications are interpretation, not forecasts or evidence of confirmed demand.