BY INES LONGO
For many years, Australia has over-relied on overseas production, often overlooking the potential and opportunity we have as a country to invest in ourselves, so we can manufacture proudly. We’ve been fed the common industry narrative: “it is not where your garments are made, but how they are made.” We praise China’s technology and India’s intricate embroidery, using these accolades as an excuse for our own domestic disinvestment.
But we have to ask the uncomfortable question: Is Australia simply incapable of making its own clothes?
The answer is a resounding no. We aren’t lacking talent. In fact, having come from a completely different work mentality in Europe, I can say with certainty that Australian workers are among the most hardworking people I have encountered. From my perspective, we aren’t losing the pulse because of a lack of will; we are losing it because the foundational tools and infrastructure required to succeed are currently missing. Without the proper tools, Australia will keep relying on overseas labour.
However, we are at a turning point. This is where the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) enters the frame. Responsible for fostering a creative, sustainable industry through education and innovation, the AFC is working to turn this decline around. By seeking direct feedback from workers, they are building a circular ecosystem that finally prioritises local talent (AFC, n.d).
A prime example of this occurred last May when the AFC announced a landmark partnership with R.M. Williams to develop the country’s first National Manufacturing Strategy. This isn’t just a small niche; the sector already contributes $2.6 billion to the national economy with a workforce that is notably 53% women. The broader industry contributes $27.2 billion, roughly 1.5% of GDP, and employs about 489,000 people.
So why do brands still look overseas? The answer lies in our broken supply chain. Domestic yarn spinning and early-stage processing have almost entirely vanished. Without these foundational stages, we cannot process our homegrown fibres at a reasonable price. Rebuilding this infrastructure is the first of many ways to pave the way for a true manufacturing resurgence.
To uncover these deep-seated issues, the AFC posed a critical question: “What specific programmes and policy changes are needed for Australian textile manufacturing to thrive?” What began as a small consultation expanded into national roundtables due to overwhelming demand. These sessions brought together everyone from retailers to TAFEs and universities.
The theme was clear: the industry is desperate for investment (AFC, 2025). Access to advanced machinery is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity to combat rising energy costs and climate change. We must highlight the true value of Australian-made: fair working conditions, heritage skills, and environmental benefits.
But it’s more than just machines. It is about value. We must stop competing with the ‘race to the bottom’ prices of fast fashion and start highlighting what Australian-made actually stands for: fair wages and a drastically lower carbon footprint. If we don’t invest now, we aren’t just losing labels; we are losing the technical DNA of our country.
At the heart of this issue is our school curriculum, which I believe is one of the most important things. The AFC findings saw the demand for strengthening clothing knowledge so children are taught how to wear, care for, and repair their clothes to combat textile waste. Furthermore, participants insist on the need to address the technical skills gap. Many graduates currently lack the pattern-making and sewing skills required for a production environment. which forces brands to look overseas (AFC, 2025). There is a pressing need for career pathways for emerging designers, with a focus on underrepresented individuals, including migrants and CALD communities.
The AFC’s analysis across the country reveals significant challenges. Every state struggles with workforce shortages. Victoria, despite Melbourne’s reputation as a ‘fashion capital’ (Cocktail Revolution, 2025), faces hurdles in technology and export support. New South Wales and South Australia face similar systemic barriers. These findings highlight the need for coordinated strategic investment between federal and state governments (AFC, 2025).
The potential is there. The pride is there. The soul is there. From the textile hubs of Melbourne to the design studios of Sydney, the industry is willing to invest in digital and technical roles through AI usage for enabling production, materials science and circular design. This also ensures women have a secured and stable job position, which defines the industry’s future.
But they cannot carry the burden of a broken supply chain alone. I am arguing for a more strategic and coordinated National Manufacturing Strategy, not just a partnership on paper, but a funded mandate from the Federal Government to subsidise local processing.
It is time we show our pride through action. It requires the government to step up and make this vision a reality so we can manufacture our own clothes, with our own natural materials, for our own people.
For more information about the Australian Fashion Council, go to ausfashioncouncil.com.
REFERENCE LIST
AFC (2025). AFC INDUSTRY CONSULTATION FINDINGS DECEMBER 2025 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH. [online] Available at: https://ausfashioncouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AFC-National-Manufacturing-Strategy-Industry-Consultation-Findings-.pdf [Accessed 30 Jan. 2026].
Cefai, C. (2022). Australian fashion brands explain why they produce offshore. [online] Fashion Journal. Available at: https://fashionjournal.com.au/fashion/aussie-fashion-offshore-garment-production/ [Accessed 3 Feb. 2026].
Cocktail Revolution (2025). A Love Letter to Melbourne Street Fashion. [online] Cocktail Revolution. Available at: https://www.cocktailrevolution.net.au/a-love-letter-to-melbourne-street-fashion/ [Accessed 1 Feb. 2026].
ALL IMAGES: Immy Turnbull
