During the 2025–2026 calendar year, the Australian Steel Institute (ASI) intensified its role as the peak body representing Australia’s steel supply chain, with a strong emphasis on trade defence, quality compliance, and sustainability.
A defining initiative of the year was ASI’s application to the Federal Government seeking a Safeguard measure to protect local fabricators from a flood of low-priced imported fabricated structural steel. Interim findings are due later in the year, with a final report in November 2026.
Complementing its trade agenda, ASI continued to expand its compliance frameworks in 2025-2026. Mid 2026 saw the Steelwork Compliance Australia (SCA) scheme consolidate its position as a JAS‑ANZ‑accredited certification body for auditing to the full scope of AS/NZS 5131 and AS/NZS ISO 3834.
Elsewhere, the Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) scheme saw significant uptake among steel mills, manufacturers, fabricators, reinforcing processors, and distributors during the calendar year.
ASI membership rose to a record 7,045 members during the financial year (717 of whom were corporate members), driven by the ASI’s strong advocacy on behalf of the local steel industry and significant demand for the ASI’s certification schemes.
ASI was highly visible in 2025-2026 providing advice to federal and state governments on local content, renewable energy infrastructure, green steel, and sustainability; and promoting Australian steel in the media as the product of choice.
In a significant milestone, 2025-2026 saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding to merge the ASI and the National Association of Steel-framed Housing (NASH). The move will result in a stronger and more successful combined entity, with significantly greater capability to advocate for our industry.
Throughout 2025–2026, ASI’s activities reflected a coordinated strategy: defending local industry from unfairly traded import pressures, raising compliance and quality standards, and supporting the steel sector’s sustainability transition.
Together, these initiatives underscore ASI’s role in safeguarding both the competitiveness and long‑term resilience of Australia’s steel industry.
Mark Cain
Chief executive, Australian Steel Institute
