YIR 2025-2026

ASI advocacy initiatives in 2025-2026 included: An ASI-initiated Productivity Commission Safeguard inquiry is now reviewing whether measures are needed to provide short-term protection for the fabricated steel industry, which is under threat from a flood of low-priced imports. Interim findings are due later in the year, and a final report is expected in November 2026. https://www.steel.org.au/what-we-do/advocacy/asi-campaign-on-imported-fabricated-steelwork/ A major ASI priority in 2025-2026 was championing local content in state and federal government contracts. The work included lobbying ministers responsible for government procurement to enforce and further tighten regulations specifying local content in government contracts. It also included providing input to governments as a member of select panels to develop policy on local steel content in government projects. Successfully supported advocacy for an east-coast gas reservation to combat high local energy costs. Promoted the local...

2026-2027 is shaping as an exciting but challenging year for the ASI and the steel industry.  Key priorities for the ASI in the coming 12 months will be: Continued advocacy through the Productivity Commission, media and other channels to protect local fabricators from the surge in very low-priced imported fabricated steelwork. Implementation of the merger of ASI and the National Association of Steel-framed Housing (NASH). Modernisation of technical guidance for steel roofing and cladding, involving the release of new technical literature associated with the National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 roll-out. Revision and updating of existing industry guidance information to reflect recent innovations in building practices. Investigation of opportunities to enhance design for building resilience. Implementing a new traceability system for steel products. Engaging with governments on renewable energy projects. Advocating for local steel content in government and private industry contracts,...

Successfully advocated for an amendment to the WA Industry Participation Scheme to encourage local content in government projects. The amendment signals to government departments that locally fabricated steel – not imported steel – is the preferred option for their projects, and they must monitor their contractors closely to ensure compliance. Participated in a WA Government local content panel discussion focusing on ASI WA fabricator and manufacturing members. Joined the WA Government’s Made in WA Manufacturing Advisory Group. Contributed to Office of Major Infrastructure Delivery meetings. Lobbied state and Federal Government and Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) for support for Safeguard. Organised online and in person forums on Safeguard and other ASI initiatives. Engaged with Westport project (300,000t). Visited Department of Energy and Economic Diversity on regular basis and contributed to policy development. Maintained regular attendance of Electrical,...

Active engagement with the SA Office of the Industry Advocate on the development of a draft tailored industry participation plan for steel. Engaged with ElectraNet (SA) regarding the potential for local steel supply for ElectraNet’s Northern Transmission Project. Monitored the progress of South Australia’s northern water supply project and provided support for potential local steel content. Successfully set up an exhibitor stall as part of the SA Department for Education’s Student Pathways and Careers Hub, funded by the department and supported by ASI SA members, at the Adelaide Careers and Employment Expo. Engaged with the student attendees and job seekers to promote careers in Australian steel and student pathways. Continued to support the University of Adelaide – Australian Steel Institute Scholarship via the Australian Steel Institute Scholarship Fund which has been endowed in perpetuity by the university.

Met with the Queensland Government and the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) to promote the local steel supply chain’s capability for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Established pages on the ASI website and wrote news stories promoting the capability of the local supply chain to construct infrastructure for the Games. Convened a fabricator roundtable to discuss Olympics tender opportunities. Provided submissions to the Queensland Productivity inquiry on opportunities to improve productivity of the construction industry. Sought minimum local steel content targets in government-funded construction, including the Olympics and public housing projects. Held an Industry Capability Network (Qld) workshop to advise ASI Qld steel fabricator members on ways to raise their profile on Gateway.  Represented ASI at a visit by National leader Matt Canavan to Noosaville fabricator NEACH, where he endorsed local steel manufacturing and sovereign capability. Attended...

Influenced focus and support for local content on Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East Project. The authority is committed to using at least 90% locally fabricated and milled steel. Continued to monitor the local steel content status of VIC Government Local Jobs First strategic projects including the North-East Link, Suburban Rail Loop, Level Crossing Removal, Sunshine Station Superhub, Hospitals, Schools and VRET2 / Renewables projects. Attended an ICN Industry Briefing on the NEL – Eastern Freeway Upgrades – Tram to Springvale Alliance project. A local steel content requirement of 90.5% has been set for the Project as part of the Local Jobs First requirements. Provided an update to ASI members. Engaged with the Port of Hastings Corporation regarding the potential for local steel supply for the Victoria Renewable Energy Terminal Project. Lodged a submission to the Victorian Government recommending that ferrous scrap from decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure...

Advocated as a director of the NSW Renewable Energy Sector Board for local steel content on renewable projects. Lodged a submission to the NSW Local Jobs First Bill policy consultation advocating for local steel content, and participated in a subsequent ministerial roundtable on elements of the policy. Provided input to standards committees. Discussed with unions (CFMEU NSW) and others regarding non-compliant/unsafe imported fabricated steelwork. Delivered the annual steel construction lecture to the civil engineering class at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. Requested NSW Treasury to update their procurement board directive PBD-2016-03 (construction standards and conformance) to include references to AS/NZS 5131 and the ASI’s SCA scheme. Met with Master Builders ACT to introduce the ASI’s SCA and SSA certification schemes. Attended ministerial roundtable on trade remedies reform with Federal Industrial Minister Tim Ayres held in Western Sydney. Attended regular...

Corporate partnerships AustralianSuper  AustralianSuper is a valued partner, with the offering to members now in its 13th year. AustralianSuper provides ASI members with a range of superannuation choices and important updates on superannuation legal requirements and products to meet industry and individual needs. More than 100 members registered for this year’s superannuation webinar hosted by AustralianSuper. Choice Energy Choice Energy provides discounted energy plans and solar installations to ASI members. Its services have provided members with $1.6m in savings to date – and helped them meet sustainability targets.

The ASI takes pride in recognising the achievements of its members. Initiatives undertaken in 2025-2026 to recognise such achievement included:  A call out for nominees for the 2026 ASI Steel Excellence Awards. The awards showcase Australia’s best and brightest steel designs. State and territory winners compete in six categories for awards presented at a gala end-of-year dinner in Sydney (https://www.steel.org.au/awards/2026/). Presentation to award winners in the 2025 ASI Steel Sustainability Awards. The biennial awards cover two broad focus areas: sustainable use of steel in building and construction projects and company steel-related sustainable initiatives (https://www.steel.org.au/asi-steel-sustainability-awards-2025/). Presenting ASI-sponsored academic awards to students at state and territory universities. Nominating local steel projects for international awards. In 2026, an ASI-nominated project St Marys IPO won the Excellence in Sustainability category in the World Steel Association’s...

The ASI annual convention brings ASI members together each year to share stories and explore the latest developments and innovations in the steel industry. Record numbers attended the 2025 ASI Convention at Manly, which included two technical tours and a successful fabricator forum.   The theme for the 14-16 September, 2026 convention is Capability, strength and resilience in a changing world. Speakers will explore: Building and protecting Australian capability. Driving investment, skills and innovation. Navigating decarbonisation and the energy transition. Responding to trade pressures and policy reform. Strengthening resilience across supply chains and global markets. For details, see: https://www.steel.org.au/news-and-events/steel-convention-2026/

Webinars, seminars and eLearning ASI welcomed 1710 attendees at ASI events, webinars and seminars throughout the year.  Two flagship eLearning courses were added to the ASI eLearning program in the past 12 months: Induction to steel – basics and Bolting supervisors training course, bringing the total to 76. A total of 392 people downloaded courses. The most popular were the Changes to AS 4100 and AS/NZS 5131 course, followed by the AS 4100 Refresher Course for Engineers. There are further courses in the pipeline: Advanced Analysis to AS 4100, Preparing for AS 4100 – Understanding the New Fire Provisions, Design of Welds and Welded Connections for Engineers. A number of future courses are focussed on fabricators. Webinars held in 2025-2026 included: Design of light gauge cold-formed steel connections (includes welded, bolted, screwed, and riveted connections); Design of welds and welded connections for engineers; Advanced analysis to AS 4100; New proposed fire provisions AS 4100,...

ASI had a strong focus on promoting steel as a career path in 2025-2026, including: Developing online resources to attract and educate young people regarding career pathways, qualifications and emerging roles in the steel industry. Meeting with the NSW Department of Education curriculum team to discuss how the ASI might support schools in creating meaningful links to the metals industry. ASI is developing a plan to create storyboards for video and interview content for possible use in the schools, focusing on steel as a career pathway. Partnering with ASI members at school careers expos to educate careers advisers, parents and students. Twenty schools were visited, connecting the ASI with more than 10,000 students. Continuing to offer job placement opportunities in steel through the ASI’s jobs website (http://jobs.steel.org.au/). Presenting student lectures and awards at the Queensland University of Technology, University of NSW and James Cook University, among others.

2025-2026 saw the ASI provide input to governments and receive advice on a range of issues, including: Meetings with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and Safe Work Australia to discuss proposed changes to the regulation of Non-Threshold Genotoxic Carcinogens (NTGCs). Representing the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the Safe Work Australia Crane Licence Working Group. Providing technical assistance to the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) in its ongoing investigation into the collapse of the Kew Recreation Centre, and other authorities where mishaps with steel occurred.  

In 2025-2026, the ASI:           Spearheaded a major revision of the AS/NZS 4100 Steel Structures Standard and sent it to Standards Australia for review in 2026, and presented a webinar on Advanced Analysis to AS 4100. AS 4100 sets out minimum requirements for the design, fabrication, erection, and modification of steelwork in structures. Presented a range of webinars, including on Advanced Analysis to AS 4100. AS 4100 sets out minimum requirements for the design, fabrication, erection, and modification of steelwork in structures. Developed a draft quality management system (QMS), configured specifically to integrate the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 9001, AS/NZS 5131 and AS/NZS ISO 3834. Once finalised the QMS will be offered on an online platform with integrated help and training. Developed a thought-leadership paper on Data-driven connectivity as a position paper for the construction industry in general and steel construction in particular. Alignment on digital connectivity systems...

Marketing and communications crafted and delivered communication strategies, created content, and managed campaigns across various channels to drive ASI initiatives in 2025-2026. Key initiatives included:    Promoting and growing the ASI’s associate member package. Associate member marketing in LinkedIn increased the visibility of the ASI brand by 40%. Writing and distributing media releases promoting ASI’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the local steel industry, including the ASI Safeguard campaign to combat the surge in imported fabricated steel (https://www.steel.org.au/what-we-do/advocacy/asi-campaign-on-imported-fabricated-steelwork/). Developing messaging and marketing support for the Steelwork Compliance Australia (SCA) scheme, communicating that SCA is now JAS ANZ accredited to provide certification to both AS/NZS 5131 and AS/NZS ISO 3834. Developing messaging and support for the Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) scheme. Promoting awareness of and participation in the Steel...

ASI now has a record 7,045 total members, with 717 corporate members and 25,061 contacts in the broader ASI community. This represents a significant increase from last year, with 15% more contacts receiving ASI communications. Membership retention rate across all member categories was 92%, with all categories achieving retention rates equal to or higher than the last financial year. 2025-2026 saw the introduction of a new associate membership package. The package offers a multi-tiered advertising model across all ASI platforms, including website, communications, social media and the Steel Australia magazine. The new communication channels enable associates to reach a broader audience, build stronger relationships across the supply chain and help members find solutions to their problems.  Fabricators led ASI growth in 2025-2026, accounting for 62% of all new members. ASI’s compliance solutions Steelwork Compliance Australia (SCA) continued to be the biggest attraction for fabricator membership....