Specifying Australian Made
In honour of Australian Made Week, Built Environment Channel is celebrating Australian Design and the work of our talented audience. We're celebrating 24 projects from our members, highlighting the quality of their work. We also asked them about their company ethos and processes for specifying Australian-made products for their projects.
In today’s construction landscape, the choice to specify Australian-made products is far more than a matter of convenience—it’s a commitment to sustainability, quality, and community. For architects and designers, sourcing locally is a powerful way to create buildings that are not only high-performing but also reflective of a responsible and forward-thinking industry.
Supporting Local Industry and Economic Resilience
Specifying Australian-made products strengthens the national economy by directly supporting local manufacturers, suppliers, and tradespeople. Every project that sources locally helps sustain jobs and encourages investment in Australian manufacturing. This, in turn, enables local industries to innovate, adopt sustainable practices, and produce materials tailored to Australia’s specific environmental and regulatory needs.
One member noted, "We prioritise sourcing Australian-made products where possible to support local industry, ensure quality, and reduce lead times.” This ethos is shared across the profession. For another, sourcing locally "supports Australian businesses and jobs and helps ensure the quality, reliability and sustainability of the materials we use.”
Environmental Sustainability Through Local Sourcing
Reducing transportation distances is one of the most immediate and effective ways to cut a project’s carbon footprint. Australian-made products travel shorter distances to site, which means lower greenhouse gas emissions and less energy consumed in shipping. This approach also mitigates the environmental costs associated with international freight, customs, packaging, and waste.
Locally sourced recycled materials—such as reclaimed timber—play an especially important role. They give new life to existing resources and further reduce the environmental burden of extraction, processing, and transport. Specifying Australian-made becomes a key sustainability strategy in school projects and institutional builds, where environmental performance and long-term durability are paramount.
Quality, Reliability, and Compliance
Australian-made materials must meet the country’s rigorous safety and building standards. This avoids unnecessary risks of poor product performance, durability, and compliance across the life of a building. Local suppliers typically provide detailed certifications, readily available test documentation, and strong warranty support—all of which streamline construction and maintenance.
With Australian products, architects can expect faster lead times, greater stock reliability, and easier access to manufacturers and tradespeople when customisation or technical input is needed. As a construction member puts it: “They are more readily available, have better local support, and are less prone to major price fluctuations, providing greater certainty for project delivery.”
A Smarter, More Sustainable Future
In a time of global supply chain uncertainty, rising transport costs, and increasing focus on climate responsibility, specifying Australian-made products is not just good practice—it’s a strategic imperative. It enables architectural projects to be delivered more reliably, with stronger sustainability credentials and greater alignment to national priorities like job creation, ethical sourcing, and environmental stewardship.
By choosing Australian-made, architects contribute to a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable built environment—one that supports local people, protects the planet, and upholds the highest standards of quality and integrity.