After a challenging 12 months, 2025-2026 is shaping as a transformative year for the local steel industry and the ASI.
A resilient and competitive industry is the ASI’s key focus.
The following roadmap has been developed by ASI chief executive Mark Cain and his team in consultation with the Board to achieve these goals:
Industry advocacy
- Trade measures to shield local fabricators from artificially low-priced imports
- Monitoring contract compliance for local steel content, both public and private
- Backing export restrictions on unprocessed scrap to retain value within Australia
- Inputting to government policy to transition industry to lower emissions
Certification and compliance
- Expanding the SCA scheme with dual certifications (AS/NZS ISO 3834 and AS/NZS 5131)
- Introducing a traceability system to ensure transparency and accountability in steel products
Sustainability and innovation
- Promoting the Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) scheme, a key tool to align with net-zero and ESG goals
- Advocating steel as a preferred sustainable building material, emphasising recyclability and lifecycle strength
Strategic government engagement
- Collaborating on renewable energy projects, positioning steel as central to infrastructure
- Influencing Australian Standards committees to reflect industry needs
- Driving policy discussions including local content policy across federal and state levels to elevate industry priorities
This roadmap suggests the ASI isn’t just trying to protect the industry; it’s reimagining its foundation to secure long-term growth and prosperity for all facets of the steel supply chain. If you’re part of the sector, or even just following it closely, these initiatives will ripple into areas like manufacturing, construction, and sustainability, and benefit all.
The initiatives follow a challenging year for the local industry marked by a surge in imported fabricated steel entering Australia, the Whyalla Steelworks going into administration, and US Government’s tariffs impacting local producers.
The ASI was highly visible on ministerial bodies and in the media championing the local steel industry in these difficult times. It provided advice to federal and state governments on local content, renewables, green steel and sustainability, and in the media promoting Australian steel as the product of choice.
Nationally, the ASI monitored and responded to the surge in imports by working with the Federal Government on trade measures. It’s briefing paper was directed to the Federal Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Industry Science and Resources. It is now commissioning expert legal advice to support a Safeguard action. These next steps are critical to ensuring the viability of local fabricators in a market under pressure from very low-priced offshore supply.
ASI was engaged by Federal Assistant Minister for Trade and Future Made in Australia Tim Ayres (now Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) in 2024-2025 to advise on increasing local steel content in the renewable energy sector. The institute continues to believe renewable energy offers enormous potential for the local steel sector—provided local content is embedded in policy and project delivery.
It is also working hard to improve regulator and government understanding of how well steel is positioned to support Australia’s economic development in a lower carbon future; and highlight the benefits of steel.
The year ahead promises to be a challenging one but with your support, the ASI is well positioned to champion the interests of the Australian steel industry. Together, we are building a stronger, safer and more sustainable future.
Tony Schreiber
Chair, ASI
