en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has launched a feasibility study for the country's first Clothing Smart Factory, aiming to explore new technology-driven approaches to advanced domestic garment manufacturing.
Supported by technology company Epson Australia and funded through its "Innovation Sponsorship Program" by Investment NSW, the study aligns with the NSW Government's Fashion Sector Strategy. The AFC stated that the study will assess the feasibility of establishing a technology-driven garment manufacturing facility in New South Wales, capable of providing research and development, product testing, and small-scale production support for Australian fashion brands.
The proposed Clothing Smart Factory will serve as a manufacturing incubator, equipped with digital pattern making, digital textile printing, CNC cutting, automated production line machinery, and advanced finishing technologies. The feasibility study will evaluate market demand, technical requirements, workforce and skills needs, financial modeling, and opportunities for joint government and industry investment. The research is led by a consortium comprising RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology, and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), bringing together expertise in advanced manufacturing, textile technology, and digital skills.
AFC CEO Sam Delgos stated that the study aims to examine how Australia can strengthen its domestic garment manufacturing capabilities. "Australia has extraordinary design talent, but for decades we have watched our garment manufacturing capacity move offshore," Delgos said. "If we truly want to build a globally competitive fashion industry, we need the infrastructure to support it. This feasibility study is our blueprint; bringing together industry, government, and Australia's top universities to explore a new, advanced, on-demand production model." Delgos added that the project aims to build a case for long-term investment in onshore manufacturing, future skills, and local production.
Epson Australia supports the project as the AFC's strategic printing and projection partner, with its Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric digital textile printing technology designed to support on-demand garment manufacturing while reducing waste, water usage, and supply chain complexity. Craig Heckenberg, Managing Director of Epson Australia and New Zealand, said the company is pleased to contribute its technology and expertise to this initiative. "Digital textile printing is transforming the way garments are designed and manufactured, reducing waste and water usage while enabling local on-demand production," Heckenberg said. "We are excited to bring our technology and expertise to this project that will reshape the future of Australian fashion manufacturing."
Anoulack Chanthivong, NSW Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, stated that the state government supports initiatives aimed at strengthening local manufacturing. "The Clothing Smart Factory has the potential to create local technology jobs, strengthen our advanced manufacturing base, and broaden our innovation ecosystem," Chanthivong said. "This feasibility study is an important step in building academic and industry networks to enhance our manufacturing expertise and competitiveness in this field."
Representatives from participating universities stated that the study will help assess opportunities for advanced and sustainable fashion manufacturing. Dr. Alice Payne, Dean of the School of Fashion and Textiles at RMIT University, said the university is "delighted to collaborate on this important project of national significance" and to help establish "a sustainable and scalable funding model." Professor Blair Kuys, Executive Dean of the School of Design and Architecture at Swinburne University of Technology, noted that on-demand and personalized fashion presents opportunities for Australia's manufacturing and creative industries. "This research is a significant step toward supporting the future of advanced fashion manufacturing in Australia," Kuys said. Professor James Bennett, Dean of the Faculty of Design and Society at the University of Technology Sydney, said the university will contribute its expertise through workforce analysis as part of the project.
According to the AFC, the feasibility study is expected to conclude by the end of 2026 and will develop a blueprint for a potential Clothing Smart Factory in NSW. The organization stated that its long-term goal is to develop a scalable model that could support a network of smart factories nationwide over the next decade.
