Year in Review 2023-2024

Welcome to the 2023-2024 Year in Review.

The Australian Steel Institute (ASI) is the peak body for the Australian steel industry. We represent the entire local steel supply chain from the individual through to all businesses regardless of size.

Our vision is to influence profitable growth for the complete Australian steel value chain. Our mission is to increase use of Australian steel and improve industry competitiveness in construction and other strategic markets. We do so by providing marketing, education, advocacy, sustainability and technical leadership to more than 6,000 members and 600 companies nationwide.

Discover how we worked towards these goals this year.

A message from the chief executive

The Australian Steel Institute (ASI) is the steel industry’s voice. All our activities for 2023-2024 focused on influencing profitable growth for the entire Australian steel value chain.

Overview

Membership support over the past 12 months enabled the ASI to achieve the following significant advances for the Australian steel industry.

National

Nationally, the ASI implemented several key initiatives in 2023-2024, related to issues like diversity and inclusion, sustainability and steel industry research. 

New South Wales

In New South Wales, ASI focused on issues such as renewable energy, local content for projects like wind towers and imported steel. 

Queensland and Northern Territory 

In Queensland and the Northern Territory, just some of our activities included meetings with state government departments and Manufacturing Skills Queensland.

Victoria

In Victoria, ASI continued to advocate for the steel industry, regularly meeting with the Industry Capability Network, various government departments and Victorian Skills Authority.

South Australia and Tasmania

In South Australia and Tasmania, ASI brought local Australian steel producers together on one of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects. We also focused on skills and training initiatives.

Western Australia

The Australian Steel Institute (ASI) is actively involved in various initiatives to support the steel industry in Western Australia. Key areas of focus included steel jobs, traceability, compliance and procurement.

Compliance schemes

ASI’s compliance schemes went from strength to strength in 2023-2024. The schemes include Steelwork Compliance Australia, ShedSafe® and Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA).

Advocacy

ASI continued advocacy on local content, compliance and certification schemes; technical education, steel careers, student awards; continued engagement with industry associations; and increased level of activity with WorldSkills Australia.

Sustainability

The ASI is working with domestic steel producers to meet the Federal Government’s emission reduction requirements under the Australian Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Education

ASI welcomed 1087 attendees at ASI events and seminars throughout the year. ASI bookshop, eLibrary, events and eLearning continue to provide tools for education, training and development to those seeking to better understand the steel industry.

Membership

During 2023-2024, membership grew to one of the highest retention rates on record (93%) and a 25% increase in fabricator members. Membership grew to 6,370 in 2023-2024, up from 5,557 the previous year.

Training and development

The ASI engaged a dedicated training manager in 2023-2024 to address trade skills shortages in the steel supply chain and create strategies towards securing future skills requirements in Australia.

Marketing and communications

ASI’s activities in 2023-2024 in the area of marketing and communications were designed to improve connectivity, boost member insights, and enhance media engagement. 

The year ahead 

2023-2024 is shaping as an exciting and successful year for the ASI and its members, with existing initiatives reaffirmed and new projects and programs starting.