Securing strong local supply chains
As Australia navigates the complexities of global supply chains and shifting market forces, one thing remains clear: the resilience of our steel industry depends on a strong, sovereign capability built on local content, compliance, and quality.
In recent months, the ASI has worked closely with state governments, members, and industry partners to advocate for robust, long-term support of Australia’s steel fabricators and producers.
In Victoria, the ASI was pleased to attend the Steel Industry Roundtable alongside eight ASI-member fabricators, representatives from BlueScope and InfraBuild, and Minister for Jobs and Industry Natalie Hutchins. This direct engagement followed sustained ASI advocacy and may have helped influence Laing O’Rourke’s decision to award 650 tonnes of structural steelwork for the Eastern Freeway Upgrade to local fabricators Sutcliffe Engineering and Thornton Engineering, and commit the remaining steel work packages to local fabricators. It’s a strong result and a tangible win for local content.
Across the border in South Australia, we secured support from Minister Tom Koutsantonis and the Office of the Industry Advocate for our ASI SA Fabricators Forum, which was held in February 2025. With over 50 ASI members and senior government representatives in attendance, the outcomes from this event will help shape a clearer pathway for policy and procurement support across the state.
In Queensland, we engaged with the newly elected State Government to reaffirm the previous commitment to mandate SCA certification to AS/NZS 5131 as a prequalification for steel fabricators working on government building projects. Encouragingly, the new government has indicated it is likely to support the adoption of this requirement through the appropriate channels.
Nationally, we’ve continued to monitor and respond to the increasing use of imported fabricated steel. Our recent Industry Advisory Group meeting included a detailed debrief with the Federal Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) on safeguard trade measures. Our briefing paper on imported steel surges was well received by DISR and the Federal Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). We are now progressing toward commissioning expert economic modelling to support a potential safeguard action. These next steps are critical to ensuring the viability of local fabricators in a market under increasing pressure from low-cost offshore supply.
ASI has also facilitated key discussions on renewable energy infrastructure, bringing together members and project developers like ACEN Australia to showcase local capability and capacity. ASI has also been engaged by Tim Ayers (Assistant Minister for Trade and Future Made in Australia) to advise on increasing local steel content in the renewable energy sector. We believe renewable energy offers enormous potential for the steel sector—provided local content is embedded in policy and project delivery.
On the compliance front, we’re proud to have supported the release of WorkSafe Victoria’s 2024 guidance on the dangers of imported structural steel. This publication highlights the serious risks posed by steelwork that fails to meet Australian Standards, particularly where quality assurance systems are absent. I encourage our members to reference this when tendering—it’s a strong case for choosing certified, Australian-fabricated steel.
2025 ASI Steel Sustainability Awards
Entries are now open for the 2025 ASI Steel Sustainability Awards.
The awards provide an outstanding opportunity to showcase the achievements of the end-to-end supply chain including architects, designers, engineers, steel manufacturers, distributors, fabricators, processors, builders and constructors in delivering steel-related solutions that result in positive sustainable impact. Be sure to get your entries in before Friday 30 May 2025. Enter via steel.org.au.
2025 Australian Steel Convention
Planning is well underway for the 2025 Australian Steel Convention. With the theme of Participate Innovate Evolve, the convention will be held from 15 to 17 September at the Manly Pacific Sydney. The convention will offer a comprehensive view of pivotal areas such as sustainability, technological advancement, global market dynamics, and infrastructure development—each critical to driving long-term resilience and growth in the sector. Register via steel.org.au.
As always, we thank you—our members—for your commitment to quality and for being champions of the Australian steel industry. Together, we are building a stronger, safer, and more sustainable future.
Mark Cain
Chief executive, ASI
