A boost for SA’s Factory of the Future
24 October 2022
The Federal Government has allocated $10.1 million in funding to support the expansion of the Factory of the Future.
A joint collaboration of Flinders University and BAE Systems Australia, the Factory of the Future is a purpose-built facility for industrial scale testing of new technologies and processes ahead of their use in advanced manufacturing.
The facility is a first of its kind in the country and is located at the Tonsley Innovation District, which recently became a member of the Global Institute on Innovation Districts – an independent not-for-profit research organisation made up of 22 handpicked innovation districts across the globe.
Federal Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, announced the funding in Adelaide and explained the Factory would work with more than 200 SMEs to build technological capabilities and help them gain a foothold in critical supply chains.
It is estimated more than 100 students a year from Flinders University will also benefit from the Factory.
“We want Australia to be a country that makes things both now and well into the future,” said Minister Husic.
“The state-of-the-art facility will help develop a dedicated workforce to bridge skills gaps in digital and advanced manufacturing technologies.”
The facility will be co-funded by investment by the South Australian Government and Flinders University.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Susan Close said she was delighted to see the commitment of funding to support the expansion.
“The combined funding will help small-to-medium South Australian businesses access major defence programs and other manufacturing projects and enterprises,” said Minister Close.
Flinders University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Stirling, was thankful for the future-focused investment.
“The Federal Government’s support will help to realise the full potential of the Factory of the Future to boost sovereign capacity through manufacturing growth, more jobs and stronger exports,” he said.
