New research from RMIT university reveals Victoria’s fashion manufacturing industry requires government preference and investment to evolve.
The report, commissioned by the Australian Fashion Council and Epson Australia, details the current and potential value of the almost $1 billion industry.
It also shows that key policy interventions, industry and government can together inject an additional $225m into the Victorian economy and create a further 1,500 jobs.
“While the shift towards digital technology usually means fewer jobs, we found this is the opposite for the textile industry,” said associate professor Jenny Underwood, lead researcher.
“Technological investment can lead to better, higher value jobs, lifting the overall wages for the sector.”
This would be particularly beneficial for women in the sector with a survey showing over half of businesses have more than a 60 per cent female workforce compared to 28 per cent in Australian manufacturing, generally.
This intervention is in response to Victorian textile, clothing and footwear manufacturing having lost some of its value in the past five years.
The report details that referencing and investing in the sector would help avoid losing value and jobs in the industry.
“With the right investment there’s promise for a turnaround, as the industry is resilient and adaptable.”
Ahead of the report’s release, RMIT’s researchers can explain what the findings mean for the industry and consumers.
The report will be available at ausfashioncouncil.com from Tuesday 3 September.