Manufacturing industry
Last Updated: 27 October 2022
Business types in this industry
The manufacturing industry includes a broad range of businesses engaged in a wide variety of activities. They include small manufacturers producing limited quantities of items as well as businesses involved in large scale production of manufactured goods.
The manufacturing industry includes:
- food processing and manufacturing
- beverages including brewed and bottled drinks
- textiles, leather, clothing, footwear and accessories
- wood products
- pulp and paper products
- printing including small and large production runs
- chemical manufacturing and processing including fertilisers, pesticides, pharmaceutical, medicinal, cleaning products, toiletries, cosmetics, photographic and explosives
- metal and plastics manufacturing
- machinery and equipment manufacturing including parts
- furniture manufacturing
- household goods production
- any manufacturing of a whole or partial product
Legislation, standards and initiatives
You must be aware of the laws that apply to the manufacturing industry including items specific to the goods you produce and the processes involved.
Key legislation
Manufacturing standards
Packaging and labelling codes and standards
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) guides
Licences and permits
Certain products require licences and permits in order to manufacture them. Some of these, as well as the agencies overseeing them include:
- Licence to manufacture therapeutic goods
- Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) registration
- Controlled Substances Import Export Licence
- Certification of Australian wood packaging for export
- Registration for the manufacturing, transport, trade or supply of pesticides and veterinary medicines
- Registration as a responsible supplier under the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS)
- Certification of certain electrical equipment manufactured in Australia and overseas
Further, you may require an excise licence for activities related to producing or manufacturing:
- alcohol
- fuel and petrol products (including gaseous fuels)
- tobacco
- duty-free.
Find the licences and permits you need for your business
Search the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) to find information on the licences you may need.
Taxation
The manufacturing industry has specific Goods and Services Tax (GST) measures. Know your GST obligations and register with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to ensure you can claim your GST credits.
Visit the ATO website to learn more about the GST requirements for food producers in the manufacturing industry.
Certain Inputs to Manufacture
The Certain Inputs to Manufacture program provides import duty concessions on certain imported raw materials and intermediate goods, such as chemical, plastics or paper products. The program also covers metal materials and goods used for food packaging.
Employ people
If you employ staff, you need to comply with Australia’s national workplace laws specific to the manufacturing industry.
Workplace health and safety (WHS)
There are general work health and safety regulations for all businesses, however there are state and territory WHS requirements that apply to businesses in the manufacturing industry:
Environment
Businesses in the manufacturing industry can have a major impact on the environment. Businesses that make environmentally conscious decisions can reduce this impact. They can also benefit from greater community awareness which leads to consumers making more environmentally friendly purchases.
The main environmental issues that businesses in the manufacturing industry should understand include:
- dealing with resource shortages
- sustainable practices
- environmental reporting
- proper disposal of trade waste
- biodegradable packaging options
- waste management and reduction
Intellectual property
As well as trade marks, manufacturing businesses may have other relevant IP rights:
- Patents protect a method, device or system that is new and inventive
- Confidentiality/trade secrets stop employees from revealing secret knowledge during and after their employment.
- Registered designs protects the visual appearance of a manufactured product by preventing others from using the design without permission.
- Circuit layout rights automatically protects original layout designs for integrated circuits and computer chips.
Insurance
Alongside compulsory insurances, the manufacturing industry has specific insurances. These insurances include:
- General liability
- Assets and revenue insurance
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Machinery breakdown insurance
- Business interruption insurance
Insurance can help you protect your business in case of machinery breakdown, consumer product liability and property damage or theft.
Find support
If you need advice or support, consider getting help from your industry association, a business adviser, accountant or legal professional.
Further advice and assistance
Check our general business information for additional regulations and obligations relevant to your business.
For further advice and assistance, consider contacting your accountant, solicitor, business adviser or industry association.