Textile, clothing and footwear manufacturing in the state of Victoria has shed 18 per cent of its value in the past five years, with a new report showing this is expected to decline further over the next six years if no interventions are made.
Compiled by RMIT University and commissioned by the Australian Fashion Council and Epson Australia, the report detailed, for the first time, the current and potential value of the almost $1 billion industry.
The report found that key policy interventions, industry and government can together inject an additional $225 million into the Victorian TCF economy and create a further 1,500 jobs.
Without preferencing and investing in the sector, on its current trajectory $98 million of value will be lost by 2030, along with 700 jobs.
In addition, the state will see a loss in technical skills and an increased reliance on overseas supply chains.
The report then recommended five key initiatives, including adding TCF manufacturing as a priority within the Made in Victoria statement, shifting government procurement policies to increase local content in uniforms, workwear and personal protective equipment, and developing a new TCF skills and training program to full workforce skill gaps.
It also recommended co-investment in advanced technology and jobs of the future for a sustainable, circular clothing economy, as well as developing a national TCF manufacturing strategy, with Victoria at the forefront.
“It’s imperative to the future of Victoria’s, and more-broadly Australia’s, textiles, clothing and footwear manufacturing industry that we collectively invest in and preference local,” AFC CEO Jaana Quaintance-James said. “This sector is ours to lose.
“By implementing these very practical and achievable recommendations we can revive the industry, retain sovereign capability in Australia in TCF manufacturing and empower Australian brands to start, remain or even return onshore.”
Quaintance-James added that this is particularly important for the many women employed in fashion manufacturing, with the report showing over half of businesses have more than a 60 per cent female workforce, compared to 28 per cent in Australian manufacturing, generally.
The report also highlighted cost efficiencies and reduced waste that can be achieved should a smart-factory model be rolled out. Smart-factories utilise advanced technologies including digital sampling, digital printing and laser cutting to reduce waste and production lead times.
This can reportedly help Australian-owned labels to reduce lead times, according to Ngali owner and designer Denni Francisco.
“If the industry was adequately supported to enable brands like mine to be able to produce onshore, it would significantly help to streamline our business and take advantage of just-in-time manufacturing so critical to address sustainable activity,” Francisco said. “I’m sure many labels would feel the same.
“We all want to support our highly skilled talent at home, and continue to grow the Australian textiles trade, its job market and ultimately the wider economy.”