The ASI will be closed from midday on Thur 19 Dec 2024 until 6 Jan 2025.

Big year for the ASI

Big year for the ASI

The ASI’s fabrication and manufacturing members faced considerable headwinds in 2024 due to significant Chinese overcapacity and resulting trade issues. Overcapacity could remain an issue in 2025 due to the impact of protectionist trade initiatives flagged by the incoming Trump Government.

Membership

  • ASI membership grew significantly in 2024, reflecting an expanded range of services offered by the ASI to members. ASI now has over 6300 total members and 670 corporate company members, with more than 100 new company members signed up in the financial year since 1 July.  
  • Of the total new members, 60% are fabricators. There has been a 120% increase in fabricator members over the past six years, attracted by ASI representation at state and national level to push for change in local content and ensuring contracts and work stay in Australia.

Lobbying 

  • The ASI continued to push for restrictions on the export of unprocessed steel scrap, and limits on overseas dumping of steel products in Australia. Energy transition is an area of intensifying activity, with ASI chief executive Mark Cain invited to join a number of Federal Government bodies looking at green metals and increasing local steel content in renewable energy infrastructure. 
  • In August 2024, the ASI engaged with the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to gain better visibility for steel in government- funded renewable energy projects and clarity of the Victorian Energy Policy and Investment Overview. It also secured a steel fabricators industry roundtable with the Victorian Minister for Jobs and Industry to discuss local content.
  • ASI WA engaged with the Department of Jobs Tourism Innovation and Science on a reboot of the WA Industry Participation Scheme (WAIPS).  

Steelwork Compliance Australia (SCA)

  • SCA issued 174 certifications to steelwork fabricators in the 2024 period. SCA has started auditing and certifying steel distributors, both their processing centres and distribution outlets, to ensure a compliant, vertically integrated supply chain to AS/NZS 5131. InfraBuild was the first to take up this opportunity, with certification to CC3 achieved by its Dandenong processing centre. SCA continues to maintain JASANZ accreditation and is still the only certifying body offering auditing and certification to the full extent of AS/NZS 5131.  

Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA)

  • The ASI advanced environmental, social and governance outcomes for the steel supply chain in 2024 through the SSA certification scheme. This year saw a record 75 sites certified, an increase of 85% over the inaugural year. Fabricators and reinforcing processors make up the majority of clients, representing 85% collectively of the total sites certified.
  • SSA clients highlight key benefits of participating in SSA as offering a competitive advantage, improving operational efficiencies and costs, and winning tender bids for Green Star and other sustainability projects. 

Other sustainability initiatives

  • The inaugural ASI Steel Sustainability Awards saw the large projects over $10 million category go to Art Gallery of NSW Sydney Modern Project, and the small projects less than $10 million to Umbagong District Park Pedestrian Bridges. 
  • The ASI annual convention on September 8-10 featured a strong sustainability theme What it takes: Sustainable Building & Infrastructure.
  • The Senate Inquiry into Waste Reduction and Recycling is expected to release its findings and recommendations before the end of the year. A round table is proposed with the committee and key government representatives in the New Year to discuss issues resolution and potential regulatory options.
  • The Australian Steel Stewardship Forum (ASSF), which consists of representatives from across the steel value chain and chaired by ASI senior adviser sustainability Michael Dawson, has been proactively providing input into Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) draft policy on embodied carbon in buildings.

Training and development

  • ASI worked with Australia’s secondary school career advisers, teachers and students in 2024 on a range of new training initiatives including presentations to a careers’ advisers conference and government departments to determine the latest qualifications, career pathways and funding opportunities for training ASI members and their employees. 
  • The ASI through its state managers built strong links with the Victoria Government’s Free TAFE program, which provides subsidised training to meet critical workforce needs; SA Findon Technical College, which connects ASI members with students interested in work experience, and apprenticeships in the steel industry; and the SA Department for Education, which supported the ASI and its members at the 2024 Adelaide Careers and Employment Expo. The WA Department of Training and Workforce Development is assisting the ASI with development of bolting, shed installation and roll forming courses.

eLearning

  • ASI explored new ways to engage with learners in 2024, including potential use of AI. Eight eLearning courses were developed in 2024, with Welding Safety and Site Inspections of Structural Steelwork the most popular. The ASI eLibrary and bookshop provided members with access to specialist information and resources, with 775 research articles and books distributed, many through eBooks.

Steel Excellence Awards

  • Australia’s best and brightest steel designs were honoured at a gala awards dinner in Sydney on November 21. Forty-eight state and territory winners competed in the 2024 Australian Steel Institute (ASI) National Steel Excellence Awards in six categories. The Large Buildings over $10 million category was won by the Art Gallery of NSW Sydney Modern Project. 

Steel Australia magazine

  • Issue 3 of the new-look Steel Australia was sent for print, distribution and converted for fully interactive digital reading as this report was compiled.  The new edition features easier access to news stories through the new digital product and a range of new advertising opportunities for the steel supply chain.