A NSW Government website

Manufacturing in NSW: driving our economy

New South Wales is home to a range of highly innovative, competitive and world-leading manufacturers in industries such as technology, health and life sciences, agrifood, clean economy, and defence and aerospace.

Advanced opportunities

Advanced manufacturers choose NSW for its lifestyle, supportive business environment, skilled workforce and extensive infrastructure. This results in high-value products of interest to customers globally.

Advanced manufacturers choose NSW for its lifestyle, supportive business environment, skilled workforce and extensive infrastructure. This results in high-value products of interest to customers globally.

27K

There are over 27,000 manufacturers in NSW

235K

Manufacturers in NSW employ more than 235,000 people

$125B

Manufacturers generate around $125 billion annually

$16B

Exporting around $16 billion worth of goods each year

Working with business to promote growth

NSW offers capability across high-tech design and development, innovative research, product customisation, client support and repair.

About half of total NSW manufacturing exports are advanced manufactured goods, with particular strengths in defence and aerospace, health and life sciences, and agrifood.

Targeted support is available through:

  • skills and workforce development
  • industry advocacy
  • business programs and incentives
  • innovation, research and development. 

We're also helping to attract and train our future manufacturing workforce with further programs and support to learn digital skills, encourage collaboration with industry across regional and metropolitan NSW and support students to take up STEM careers. 

Get free, personalised help  for your business or workforce. 

Key initiatives

NSW is known as a fast adopter of technology, and we are reinforcing this reputation with the NSW 20-Year R&D Roadmap.

The 20-Year R&D Roadmap is a long-term vision for advancing technologies, products and services for priority sectors including manufacturing. This will complement the $1 billion our manufacturers already spend on research and development each year.

Additionally, we are building world-class infrastructure to support the sector’s future success, including the:

  • Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility at Bradfield in Western Sydney.
  • Australia’s first commercial-scale Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility at Westmead.

Modern manufacturing

To reinforce its commitment to modern manufacturing, the NSW Government appointed a Modern Manufacturing Commissioner. 

The Commissioner is helping strengthen local research, collaboration and partnerships between government, research institutions and industry to grow modern manufacturing capabilities in NSW.

This includes the implementation of the NSW Government response to the Modern Manufacturing Taskforce Report in 2022, and the development of a Modern Manufacturing Strategy for NSW, due in 2023. 

Learn more about modern manufacturing in NSW  and watch our Making it in NSW seriesExternal Link 

Learn more about Driving Digital Skills Pilot Program 

Events

  • Australian Manufacturing WeekExternal Link  showcases the latest innovations, technologies and equipment in the advanced manufacturing sector. The event is held on 9 to 12 May, 2023 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne. 
  • The Modern Manufacturing ExpoExternal Link  showcases the future of manufacturing, highlighting the path for the digital transformation journey. The event is held on 20 to 21 September, 2023 at the Sydney Showground.

How we help

Investment NSW provides businesses with free:

  • market intelligence  
  • advice on NSW Government programs and approval processes 
  • connections with government and local business contacts 
  • support for business case development 
  • identification of investment locations and potential partners 
  • facilitation of familiarisation visits.  

Contact Investment NSW  for free, personalised support to grow your business in NSW. 

Stay up-to-date

Our newsletter, Advanced Manufacturing Connect, keeps you up-to-date on what’s happening in the industry.  

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