ARTICLES

Imported fabricated steel  2024-2025 saw a major surge in imported fabricated steelwork into Australia. ASI campaigned to minimise the damaging impact on local fabricators by:  Exploring trade measures in consultation with the then Federal Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic, the Anti-Dumping Commissioner, and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Surveying the local industry to accurately identify those negatively impacted by the surge, essential if trade measures are to proceed. The 2024 survey found a 50% drop in local fabricator business directly linked to very low-priced imports.  Interrogating ABS statistics and other references to gather background data on the capacity, employment numbers, and economic contribution of the Australian steel fabrication sector to the economy, which is also essential to support trade action.  Running a media campaign to highlight the damaging impact on local fabricators of the flood of cheap imports. Local content  A major ASI...

Membership support over the past 12 months enabled the ASI to achieve the following significant advances for the Australian steel industry. Lobbied government in support of trade measures to protect local fabricators from a surge in cheap imported fabricated steel. The ASI’s submission (which is backed by a survey of members and supporting ABS figures) is being reviewed by the Federal Government’s Department of Industry Science and Resources, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and has resulted in ongoing consultation. A supporting media campaign highlighted the damaging impact of the surge on local fabricators. For details, see: https://www.steel.org.au/what-we-do/advocacy/asi-campaign-on-imported-fabricated-steelwork/. Prepared a pre-feasibility plan for the development of a traceability scheme for monitoring the quality, sustainability and risk-minimised outcomes of steel through its life cycle. For details, see: https://www.steel.org.au/news-and-events/news/asi-releases-traceability-tech-note-tn017/. Worked...

The Australian Steel Institute (ASI) enjoyed strong activity and membership growth in 2024-2025 in a challenging year for the local steel industry.  ASI membership rose to a record 6,920 members (700 of those corporate members), with our certification schemes Steelwork Compliance Australia (SCA) and Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) enjoying continued strong growth.  ASI was highly visible on ministerial bodies providing 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.   The ramped-up activities reflect a difficult 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. Nationally, the ASI monitored and responded to the surge in imports by working with an Industry Advisory Group on trade measures. Our briefing paper was...

The sustainability and growth of the steel industry will depend on a pipeline of skilled, motivated workers ready to take on tomorrow’s challenges. The ASI is investing in the development of future steel trades through a dynamic new schools-based initiative.