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 with then Assistant Federal Minister for Trade and Future Made in Australia Tim Ayres (now Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) on the development of a local content policy governing renewable projects.
- Welcomed a new Steelwork Compliance Australia (SCA) certification offering in 2025 that includes AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification alongside the existing AS/NZS 5131 scheme. For details, see https://www.scacompliance.com.au.
- Monitored government infrastructure projects where local content is mandated and sought enforcement where regulations/codes were not followed.
- Continued to work with the Australian Government on seeking relief from the Trump administration’s tariffs on steel. For details, see: https://www.steel.org.au/news-and-events/media-releases/australian-steel-will-continue-to-seek-relief-from-trump-tariffs/
- Lobbied government in support of a ban on the export of unprocessed scrap steel. The submission to a Senate inquiry highlighted the very high domestic need for unprocessed steel scrap, and the reduced CO2 emissions that result from use of the scrap in both electric arc and blast furnace steel production. The inquiry will release its findings in late 2025. For details, see: https://www.steel.org.au/news-and-events/news/asi-calls-for-ban-on-unprocessed-scrap-steel-exports/.
- Continued to work with the SA Government and administrators on helping to ensure the future of the Whyalla steelworks, which is in administration. For details, see: https://www.steel.org.au/news-and-events/media-releases/positive-signs-for-whyalla-steelworks/
- Delivered a 15.2% increase in fabricator membership, driven by interest in taking up National Structural Steelwork Compliance Scheme (NSSCS) and Steelwork Compliance Australia (SCA) certification.
- ASI chief executive Mark Cain appointed to the Federal Government’s Green Metals Advisory Panel, a seven-member body providing strategic advice to government on opportunities for a sustainable green metals industry. For details, see: https://www.industry.gov.au/manufacturing/green-metals#meet-the-industrial-decarbonisation-and-green-metals-advisory-panel-3.
- Surveyed members on diversity and inclusiveness in the steel industry and summarised the results in a report published and sent to members in late October 2024. For details, see: https://www.steel.org.au/news-and-events/news/gender-diversity-still-an-issue-for-steel-industry/.
- Held a Design for Deconstruction (DfD) panel discussion at the ASI annual convention. For details, see: https://www.steel.org.au/what-we-do/focus-areas/sustainability/design-for-deconstruction-and-reuse/.
- Met with Treasury on the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia legislation.
- Facilitated a meeting with representatives from the Australian Building Codes Board and ASI members to clarify the reasoning behind a number of changes in the National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 Public Comment Draft.
- Initiated a revision of AS/NZS 3500.3 Plumbing and Drainage-Stormwater Drainage to include improved guidance for the design of valley and eaves gutters, which has been a longstanding issue for the metal roofing industry. For details, see: https://www.steel.org.au/news-and-events/news/revision-of-as-nzs-3500-3-what-you-need-to-know/
Main image above: Monarto Safari Park, winner of the steel clad structures category at the ASI’s 2024 South Australia Steel Excellence Awards.
