The Australian Government has announced a new domestic gas reservation scheme aimed at securing affordable gas supplies for Australian households and manufacturing industries, with exporters to be required to direct part of their production to the domestic market from mid-2027.

Under the plan, gas exporters will need to supply the equivalent of 20 per cent of their exports to the Australian market from 1 July 2027. The Federal Government said the measure is intended to place downward pressure on domestic gas prices, reduce exposure to global price volatility and strengthen Australia’s energy security.

In a media release, the government said the policy would support its “Future Made in Australia” agenda, particularly for industrial and manufacturing sectors that remain reliant on gas and cannot yet fully electrify.

The government said gas would continue to play a role in Australia’s energy transition, particularly as renewable energy capacity expands. It noted that gas-fired generators can be activated quickly to provide backup supply for the electricity grid.

The new Domestic Supply Obligation powers will be jointly administered by the Minister for Resources and the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, in coordination with the Minister for Industry and Innovation. The Government said legislation would be introduced alongside further consultation on the final design of the scheme.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the Government’s policies were designed to protect Australians from global energy disruptions.

“We’ve been acting to shield Australians from global energy shocks by investing in reliable, sovereign renewables and keeping more of the gas we need onshore,” Bowen said.

“Our sensible, practical policies mean we will avoid gas shortfalls and will be able to protect consumers from global energy price spikes.”

Minister for Resources Madeleine King said the reservation policy would support both domestic consumers and the gas industry.

“The domestic gas reservation is a great outcome for Australians, as it will put downward pressure on domestic gas prices and ensure Australia will remain a trusted and reliable supplier of LNG to our export partners,” King said.

“The reservation also gives industry the certainty it needs to ensure ongoing investment into Australia’s gas industry.”

Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres said affordable gas remained important for local manufacturing and industrial capability.

“A Future Made in Australia is about securing Australia’s industrial capability – and secure and affordable gas is critical to strong local manufacturing firms,” Ayres said.

“Gas isn’t just an energy source for heavy industry – it can also be a feedstock – and putting downwards pressure on price through the reservation is particularly important for those facilities.”

The government said existing export contracts entered into before 22 December 2025 would be respected, allowing exporters to continue meeting current international commitments. 

It also said Australia remained committed to being a reliable energy supplier in the region, noting gas exports were important to securing future supplies of petrol, diesel and fertiliser.

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The Western Australian Government says its 2026-27 State Budget will deliver billions of dollars in investment aimed at supporting manufacturing, energy transition projects and broader economic diversification across the State.

In a statement, the WA Government said the Budget included measures to support local manufacturing, industrial development and workforce growth, alongside investments in energy infrastructure, ports and housing construction.

The Cook Labor Government said Western Australia’s economy had grown by 27.2 per cent over the past five years, compared with the national rate of 20.9 per cent, while more than 380,000 jobs had been created since 2017.

Among the major allocations is $1.4 billion for the Clean Energy Future Fund, which the government said would help integrate more renewable energy projects into the State’s main electricity grid, including through the proposed Clean Energy Link – East transmission project.

A further $973 million will be invested into Western Power’s network to expand electricity capacity for industrial and residential developments, particularly across regional parts of the State.

Manufacturing support measures include a $153.3 million Made in WA Energy Affordability Investment Program, aimed at helping manufacturers improve energy efficiency and invest in advanced manufacturing equipment.

The Budget also includes $48 million for two Housing and Infrastructure Advanced Manufacturing facilities in Kwinana and Neerabup to support the delivery of medium and high-density housing.

Premier Roger Cook said the government’s focus remained on maintaining economic growth while expanding renewable energy and manufacturing capacity.

“Western Australia’s economy is the strongest in the nation, and I want to keep it that way,” Cook said.

“By investing in our State’s energy transition, delivering our Made in WA plan and fostering a vibrant and creative community, my government is continuing to diversify the economy and create high-quality jobs for all Western Australians.”

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Rita Saffioti said the Budget continued the government’s focus on local industry and infrastructure investment.

“We’ll make more things here, continue to diversify our economy, and invest in major projects like Westport, which will underpin our State’s economic growth for generations to come,” Saffioti said.

The government will also invest an additional $647 million into the Westport project, including funding for Anketell Road upgrades linked to the future port development.

Through the Strategic Industries Fund, $91.7 million will be directed to the Western Trade Coast, Kemerton and Boodarie Strategic Industrial Areas to support investment attraction and expand development-ready industrial land.

To support the lithium sector, the government announced a $30 million extension of fee waivers for Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia and Covalent Lithium until the end of 2027.

Manufacturing Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the Budget would support both renewable energy projects and manufacturing activity.

“This will support major renewable projects delivering more affordable, reliable energy for Western Australians while creating thousands of local jobs,” Sanderson said.

“This is on top of our commitment to support and diversify Western Australia’s manufacturing sector.”

The Budget also includes funding aimed at supporting the building and construction sector, including $19.6 million for additional Group Training Organisation Wage Subsidy Program places, $11 million to extend construction visa incentives, and $2.1 million to continue the Construction Migration Office.

Additional allocations include $50 million for the Port of Port Hedland’s Zone 5 Bypass Channel project, $4.8 million for a business case examining additional capacity at the Port of Bunbury, and a $500 million Major Projects Fund supporting developments including Scitech and the Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

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Seven NSW manufacturers will showcase their products and expertise at this year’s Australian Manufacturing Week 2026 in Brisbane, with support from the NSW Government as part of efforts to promote the state’s advanced manufacturing sector.

The event, scheduled from 12 to 14 May, will bring together manufacturers, technology providers and researchers from across Australia to highlight developments in manufacturing and industrial capability, according to the NSW Government.

The selected businesses will exhibit through a dedicated NSW Government stand aimed at helping manufacturers connect with customers, investors and supply chain partners while promoting manufacturing capability across metropolitan and regional NSW.

The NSW Government said its participation aligns with broader efforts to support local manufacturing growth, innovation and export opportunities, including reforms to government procurement intended to create more opportunities for NSW-based manufacturers.

Investment NSW Executive Director of Industry and Investment David Camerlengo said the event would provide an opportunity to highlight the state’s manufacturing strengths.

“NSW has some of the most capable and innovative manufacturers in the country, and Australian Manufacturing Week is a prime opportunity to put them on show,” Camerlengo said.

“By supporting these businesses to exhibit together, we’re helping them build new connections, access new markets and demonstrate why NSW is the engine room of Australian manufacturing.”

He said the NSW Industry Policy was focused on supporting manufacturers to adopt new technologies, improve productivity and expand globally.

“The NSW Industry Policy is about backing industry for the long-term – supporting manufacturers to adopt new technologies, lift productivity and compete globally,” he said.

Among the companies selected to exhibit are Cochlear Ltd, which manufactures cochlear implant technology in Macquarie Park, and A&I Coatings, a Southern Highlands manufacturer of industrial coatings.

Other participating businesses include Moxon Industries, Novon Lighting, PGSR Pty Ltd, Resourceful Living Group and Safe Gauge Pty Ltd.

The NSW Government said businesses were selected through an expression of interest process for NSW-based manufacturers aligned with government priorities.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Executive Director of Regional Economic Development Craig Jenkins said regional manufacturers played an important role in the state economy.

“Regional NSW manufacturers are critical to our economy, providing skilled jobs and driving innovation in communities right across the state,” Jenkins said.

“Australian Manufacturing Week is an important opportunity for these businesses to showcase their capabilities, build new partnerships and access opportunities that support long-term growth.”

He said strengthening regional manufacturing would support more resilient local economies and create opportunities in regional communities.

Further information about the NSW Government’s participation in Australian Manufacturing Week 2026 is available via NSW Government Manufacturing Week page.

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The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has welcomed approval of the offshore Otway Basin gas project “Annie,” describing the development as an important step toward strengthening Victoria’s future energy security and supporting business confidence, including across the manufacturing sector, during the transition to net zero.

The project, led by Amplitude Energy, comes as Victoria faces increasing pressure on future gas supply, with the Australian Energy Market Operator forecasting potential peak-day shortfalls later this decade as production from the Bass Strait declines.

In a statement, VCCI said it had consistently advocated for a “clear, commercially realistic and technology-neutral” energy roadmap that balances affordability, reliability and security alongside emissions reduction goals.

The chamber noted that gas continues to play a significant role in Victoria’s economy, with more than two-thirds of households connected to gas and many manufacturers, food producers, exporters and industrial businesses continuing to rely on it as a key energy source.

VCCI Acting Chief Executive Amelia Bitsis said the approval reflected the need for “practical, balanced energy policy” that supports both economic stability and emissions reduction.

“Victoria’s energy transition must continue but it must also work,” Bitsis said.

“This is a positive and sensible step toward ensuring Victoria has the reliable and affordable energy supply businesses and households need during the transition to net zero.”

Bitsis said gas would remain an essential part of Victoria’s energy mix for some time, particularly for manufacturing, industrial operations and small businesses that continue to depend on it.

“We have consistently said gas will remain an essential part of Victoria’s energy mix for some time yet, particularly for manufacturing, industrial operations and thousands of small businesses that rely on it every day,” she said.

The chamber also warned that unreliable or unaffordable energy could affect investment confidence, industrial competitiveness and employment outcomes across the state.

According to VCCI, the new project is expected to help support local supply at a time when Victoria risks becoming increasingly reliant on imported gas, which could place additional upward pressure on prices and energy security.

“Unlocking additional local supply helps strengthen energy security, our sovereign capability and supports investment confidence and reduces the risk of further price shocks such as the current fuel crisis,” Bitsis said.

She added that Victoria’s transition to net zero should remain “orderly, practical and commercially realistic,” with continued investment in renewables and emerging technologies alongside ongoing gas supply to support the broader economy.

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AMTIL says manufacturing conditions across the Asia-Pacific region are being reshaped in 2026 by growing digital expectations, energy uncertainty and mounting productivity pressures, with Australian manufacturers facing both new opportunities and operational challenges.

In an industry update published by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), the organisation said manufacturers across APAC were operating under markedly different conditions compared to a year earlier, as digital capability increasingly becomes a baseline expectation rather than a competitive advantage.

According to AMTIL, investment across the region continues to shift toward higher-value production, while manufacturers are being asked to manage greater complexity despite tighter labour constraints and pressure on margins.

The report identified energy volatility as a growing factor influencing manufacturing decision-making across APAC. AMTIL said uncertainty in global energy markets is affecting assumptions around operating costs, reliability, scaling and investment risk, with many industry leaders no longer expecting a quick return to stable energy conditions.

In response, the organisation said manufacturers are increasingly focusing on efficiency, simulation-first design and resilience strategies as practical ways to maintain operational control in uncertain conditions.

AMTIL said these themes were reflected in discussions at the 3DEXPERIENCE World event held in February, where industry leaders across the region focused less on experimentation with digital tools and more on their implementation in everyday manufacturing operations.

The organisation noted that technologies such as simulation, virtual twins and data-driven decision-making are now widely regarded as standard capabilities within manufacturing environments. It said global customers and supply chain partners are placing greater emphasis on how deeply digital systems are integrated into design, validation and production processes.

Workforce pressure also remains a major issue for manufacturers across the region, according to AMTIL. The organisation said automation, artificial intelligence and digital systems are increasingly being used to support scarce skills and reduce repetitive tasks, allowing workers to focus on higher-value activities.

At the same time, AMTIL said many organisations are still determining how responsibility for developing, governing and maintaining these capabilities should be managed internally.

The report also highlighted growing attention on intellectual property management as AI becomes more embedded in engineering and manufacturing workflows. According to AMTIL, AI-generated outputs are increasingly viewed as commercially valuable assets, particularly in collaborative and cross-border manufacturing environments common throughout APAC.

AMTIL said sovereign capability is continuing to move from policy discussion into operational practice, with manufacturers reassessing where sensitive workloads are handled, how data is transferred internationally and which capabilities should remain onshore.

In Australia, the organisation said government support for advanced manufacturing and defence-related capability is reinforcing this shift by helping reduce investment risk rather than directing specific technology choices.

AMTIL said hybrid operational models, combining edge-based systems for sensitive workloads with selective cloud integration, are increasingly emerging as a practical approach for manufacturers.

The organisation added that Australia’s manufacturing strength remains concentrated in high-mix, high-trust production, particularly in areas requiring precision, compliance and reliable delivery. It said advances in simulation, virtual commissioning and accessible automation are helping local manufacturers improve productivity while maintaining quality and compliance standards.

According to AMTIL, the broader trends emerging across APAC point to deeper digital integration, ongoing productivity pressure and growing consideration of energy resilience in long-term manufacturing strategy.

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Australia’s manufacturing and building sectors are facing rising compliance costs and regulatory complexity due to growing state and territory variations to the National Construction Code (NCC), according to the Building Products Industry Council.

In a statement, BPIC said escalating jurisdiction-specific amendments were undermining the NCC’s intended role as a nationally harmonised regulatory framework and placing additional pressure on manufacturers, builders and product suppliers.

“Although the NCC is intended to operate as a nationally harmonised regulatory framework, states and territories have continued to go their separate ways,” BPIC executive officer Rodger Hills said.

The organisation pointed to differing adoption timelines for NCC 2025 across Australia. Victoria and Tasmania are expected to meet the original projected commencement date of May 1, while some states will adopt the code in 2026 with a 12-month transition period and others in 2027.

BPIC said several jurisdictions had also introduced large numbers of local amendments. Tasmania, which has publicly criticised the NCC, has added 125 new variations to NCC 2025 in addition to 25 existing variations under NCC 2022, according to the council. BPIC said this resulted in more than 150 jurisdiction-specific changes and an additional 53 pages of requirements for practitioners in the state.

The organisation also highlighted New South Wales, where it said state variations had increased from 16 under NCC 2022 to more than 210 under NCC 2025, adding around 70 pages of additional regulation.

“They have also introduced large numbers of jurisdiction-specific amendments, even as they publicly express concern about the complexity of the NCC,” Hills said.

BPIC argued that even where state governments describe variations as changes rather than additional regulation, the practical impact remains increased complexity for industry participants.

“Whether a variation substitutes a clause, a sentence, or just a single word, the effect is the same: greater time spent interpreting the NCC and a higher risk of misinterpretation, uncertainty, and non-compliance,” Hills said.

According to BPIC, the growing number of state-based changes is increasing compliance costs for manufacturers, builders and designers, while also creating barriers for national supply chains and reducing opportunities for economies of scale.

The council also raised concerns about the process used to introduce some variations, stating that many are developed after the NCC public comment draft period, limiting opportunities for industry consultation.

“In effect, they circumvent the normal code development process,” Hills said.

BPIC said it welcomed the Federal Treasury’s NCC Modernisation Project as a step toward improving regulatory clarity and efficiency, but questioned how the initiative would address increasing jurisdictional variations.

“Australia’s manufacturers, builders, and product suppliers rely on a stable, predictable, and harmonised regulatory environment,” Hills said.

“Without effective reform to jurisdictional variation practices, the benefits of a modernised NCC risk being overshadowed by continued regulatory fragmentation.”

The NCC, produced by the Australian Building Codes Board, sets Australia’s technical and performance-based requirements for building design, construction and plumbing standards.

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Australia could green its heavy industry and expand low-emissions exports, but scaling up remains the key challenge, according to an expert analysis by researchers from Monash University and UNSW Sydney.

Australia’s economy is heavily tied to mining and exports of iron ore, copper and critical minerals, which are processed overseas into products such as steel, fertiliser and fuels. While these industries generate significant economic value and employment, they also account for some of the most difficult emissions to reduce.

According to ARC ECR Industry Fellow in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Monash University Changlong Wang and Associate Professor Rahman Daiyan of UNSW Sydney’s School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering, technological advances are now making it possible to produce materials such as steel without coal and to generate hydrogen using renewable electricity and water instead of gas.

However, the researchers note that progress remains uneven. Green hydrogen projects have faced financing and scaling difficulties, while developments in green iron and cleaner fuels are advancing more slowly than expected despite growing policy interest and market attention.

They argue that the main barrier is not technology, but coordination and system design. Instead of developing individual industrial projects in isolation, they suggest Australia should establish large-scale industrial hubs where renewable energy, hydrogen production, water supply, transport and port infrastructure are shared across multiple industries.

The analysis points to existing examples of industrial clustering, including established Australian export and manufacturing centres such as Gladstone in Queensland, where coal, gas, aluminium and chemical industries already rely on shared infrastructure.

International examples in countries including China, Germany and the Netherlands are also cited as evidence that coordinated industrial zones can support faster decarbonisation and reduce costs through shared energy systems and integrated planning.

The researchers say modelling indicates that combining renewable energy, hydrogen and green iron production in coordinated hubs could reduce power costs by around 20 to 30 per cent compared with standalone developments, largely by avoiding duplicated infrastructure and improving energy use efficiency.

They also suggest future industrial hubs could be designed with environmental restoration integrated into planning, concentrating infrastructure while protecting sensitive ecosystems and embedding nature repair into development.

Despite these potential benefits, the analysis highlights institutional and regulatory barriers, including fragmented approvals processes and limited coordination between government and industry.

The authors argue that governments would need to take a stronger coordinating role in identifying hub locations, aligning infrastructure planning and providing policy certainty, while industry would need to collaborate more closely across value chains.

They conclude that while the transition to greener heavy industry is complex, Australia has the resources and technical capacity to position itself as a major exporter of low-emissions industrial products if coordination challenges can be addressed.

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RMIT University researchers have developed a sound wave-based manufacturing technique capable of creating and applying protective coatings on delicate surfaces, including living plant leaves, according to a new study published in Science Advances.

The university said the approach uses high-frequency sound waves to generate a fine mist that rapidly forms into a UV-blocking coating at room temperature, potentially opening new manufacturing applications for sensitive materials that cannot withstand heat or harsh processing methods.

The study demonstrated the process on living plant leaves, where the coating acted as a “plant sunscreen” by absorbing harmful ultraviolet light while still allowing visible light needed for photosynthesis to pass through.

Lead author Javad Khosravi Farsani said the coating protected the leaves without affecting plant growth.

“The coating absorbs harmful UV light while allowing visible light through,” Farsani said.

“That means the plant can continue photosynthesis while being protected from damage.”

According to the researchers, treated leaves continued growing normally for months after the coating was removed, which the team said demonstrated the gentleness of the process.

The coating material was produced from a covalent organic framework (COF) liquid, which assembled into a solid layer as it was sprayed. COFs are part of a broader class of porous materials valued for applications including light absorption, molecule separation and surface protection.

Leslie Yeo, a senior author on the study from RMIT’s School of Engineering, said existing manufacturing and coating methods for such materials often involve trade-offs between preserving material quality and protecting sensitive surfaces.

“These materials have extraordinary properties, but you’ve typically had to choose between preserving their structure and protecting the surface you’re applying them to,” Yeo said.

“What this work shows is a way to avoid that trade-off by forming and coating the material under very gentle conditions.”

The researchers said conventional coating techniques commonly rely on ovens, aggressive solvents or specialised equipment that can damage fragile materials.

Amgad Rezk said the new manufacturing process instead used sound waves to both form and deposit the coating in a single step.

“By using sound waves, we’re able to form and deposit the coating within minutes without heating or damaging the surface,” Rezk said.

“That’s a major shift from conventional coating methods and it allows us to work with fragile materials, including living plant tissue.”

The process works by using high-frequency vibrations to break a liquid formulation into microscopic droplets. As the droplets move through the air, the COF material assembles into an organised solid layer before settling onto the target surface.

Co-corresponding author Joseph Richardson said the process could simplify coating production for a range of industries handling sensitive materials.

“Our method effectively combines manufacturing and coating into a single step,” Richardson said.

“That simplicity is what makes it adaptable across different surfaces and applications.”

The researchers said the technology could have potential applications in electronics, sensors and membranes that require protective coatings but are sensitive to heat or chemicals.

RMIT said it filed a provisional patent related to the work earlier this year. The research was conducted with collaborators in Australia and Europe, including the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

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Australia’s manufacturing sector continues to play a critical role in the national economy, underpinned by ongoing investment in advanced technologies, automation, and high-value production. 

As the industry adapts to shifting global supply chains and increasing demand for productivity and resilience, national platforms that bring together manufacturers, suppliers, and technology providers have become increasingly important for collaboration and capability development.

Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW) 2026 will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 12  to 14 May 2026, marking the event’s first appearance in Queensland and reinforcing its position as Australia’s leading manufacturing trade exhibition.

Owned and operated by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW functions as a national platform for the manufacturing sector, bringing together industry stakeholders across engineering, production, automation, and advanced technologies.

Brisbane expansion reflects national industry growth

The decision to stage AMW 2026 in Brisbane reflects the continued geographic and structural expansion of Australia’s manufacturing sector, particularly across Queensland’s growing advanced manufacturing base.

The event is expected to attract a broad cross-section of industry participants, including manufacturers, technology providers, engineers, researchers, and policy stakeholders, providing a consolidated environment for business engagement and sector visibility.

Structured exhibition framework across core manufacturing domains

AMW 2026 will be organised into several dedicated exhibition zones, each aligned with key areas of manufacturing capability and innovation. These include Machine Tools, Robotics & Automation, Additive Manufacturing, Manufacturing Solutions, Weld & Air Solutions, and the Australian Manufacturer’s Pavilion.

According to organisers, this structure is designed to facilitate focused interaction between exhibitors and attendees, enabling direct engagement around specific technologies and industrial applications.

The Robotics & Automation zone will present developments in industrial robotics, process automation, and intelligent manufacturing systems. The Additive Manufacturing zone will highlight the growing role of advanced fabrication technologies in production-scale applications, extending beyond prototyping into functional manufacturing environments.

The Australian Manufacturer’s Pavilion will provide a dedicated platform for domestic manufacturers to present capabilities across precision engineering, component production, and integrated manufacturing solutions.

State-backed participation

State-level initiatives supported participation, with the New South Wales Government offering co-exhibiting opportunities for up to seven local manufacturers to take part within its official stand at AMW 2026.

The government said the initiative was intended to showcase NSW manufacturing capabilities to domestic and international visitors, while facilitating connections with investors, distributors and industry stakeholders.

Exhibitors to watch  

Among the exhibitors to watch is Anderson Group, which will present integrated CNC solutions and automation systems supported by local engineering expertise and application knowledge.

Complete Machine Tools will showcase high-performance sheet metal machinery designed for precision manufacturers, while Laser Machines will highlight advanced laser cutting systems built for accuracy, speed, and production efficiency.

Organisers said Performatec is set to feature precision sheet metal machinery supporting a variety of folding and cutting applications.

Meanwhile, Peddinghaus will display steel fabrication machinery, including structural processing and plate solutions, while Salvagnini will present flexible and automated sheet metal systems aimed at improving productivity, maximising space efficiency, and supporting smart manufacturing.

Registrations still open for AMW 2026

Australian Manufacturing Week 2026 is still open for visitor registrations.

Those interested in attending Australia’s leading manufacturing trade event are encouraged to secure their spot.

Register or enquire now for Australian Manufacturing Week 2026 in Brisbane.

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Bundamba-based manufacturer TRHC is expanding its role in regional and remote firefighting support, rolling out Australian-built fire suppression systems designed for harsh operating conditions and growing fire risks.  

In a media release, the company said it is supplying its SNUFIT and CAFAID fire suppression systems to frontline crews in Queensland and South Australia, with several units already installed on firefighting vehicles. 

A next-generation SNUFIT prototype is also scheduled for release later this year, according to TRHC.

TRHC said the developments come as Australia faces more frequent extreme fire weather, with conditions reportedly increasing by 56% over the past four decades. In Queensland, where more than 28,000 Rural Fire Service volunteers operate, crews are contending with longer fire seasons and faster-moving vegetation fires.

TRHC noted a key focus of the rollout is a trailer-mounted CAFAID unit, which the company says is among the first of its kind on the market. The system is designed to be towed by a range of vehicles, giving regional brigades access to compressed air foam capability in areas where heavy fire appliances cannot operate.

The CAFAID system uses a simplified compressed air foam approach and is designed without moving parts or complex synchronisation systems. TRHC said this allows it to deliver consistent foam output while reducing mechanical complexity and enabling use with existing pump setups.

“Many regional brigades don’t have the budget or access to heavy CAFS trucks,” said Garth Hanson, National Operations Manager at TRHC. “They rely on utes, slip-on units and machinery. A portable CAFAID system gives them the same suppression power without needing a specialised vehicle.”

The company recently supplied three CAFAID units to the Queensland Fire Department for deployment in high-risk regional areas.

TRHC is also increasing production of its SNUFIT suppression system, which is designed for rapid knockdown and simpler operation. The system is intended for use on medium to heavy tanker applications and is compatible with a range of common diesel engines.

TRHC said demand for Australian-made equipment is increasing as agencies prioritise shorter lead times, local servicing and gear designed for domestic conditions. Hanson said users are increasingly focused on durability and responsiveness.

“People want to know how much it costs, how quickly they can get it, and if it’s made here,” he said. “Imported systems don’t always cope with our terrain or our weather. Local crews need gear designed for heat, dust, remote access and long operational hours.”

The company said its systems are intended to support both suppression and prevention activities, including asset protection and perimeter wetting, as fire behaviour becomes more unpredictable.

“Every second counts,” Hanson said. “You don’t want to suffer the consequences of bad, low-quality equipment. CAFAID systems can be used not only to stop fires once they happen, but to help prevent them.”

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