Quality JOBs - australia's Future
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quality JOBs — australia’s Future Changing the way we do business Researchers in the front line Transforming the old Work in progress Building the new Re-tool and re-skill Creative and resilient Back yourself Boeing factory at Fishermans Bend in Victoria
Changing the way
Born in a Backyard
In 1969, two brothers from Germany set up
a small toolmaking shop in a backyard in
Perth. They thought there was a future in
gears. They were right.
Today, Hofmann Engineering is for the local wind power
one of the biggest gear-making industry with the support of
operations in the Southern a $5 million grant from the
Hemisphere. It operates Federal Government. The
from five cities and employs ‘Hofwind’ project will produce
over 500 Australian workers. an additional 900 megawatts of
The current manager, Erich green power, enough to supply
Hofmann, says he’s never seen more than 200,000 homes.
a bad year — and he’s been in
Hofmann’s story is the story
the business since he was
of our nation.
four-years-old.
Its two founders couldn’t
He puts Hofmann’s success
know the mining boom was
down to the simple principle
coming to Western Australia.
he learned from his father and
They certainly didn’t predict
uncle: you can always get better
the clean technology boom.
at what you do. That’s not just
Australians did different jobs,
a challenge for Hofmann’s
for a different era.
engineers and managers.
Every worker has good ideas In 1969, more than 14 million
and every idea deserves to phonograph records were
be heard. From the people made in Australia.
who answer the phones to the
Australians took home, on
people who deliver the orders,
average, $52 for a full week’s
every Hofmann employee is in
work. The average woman’s
the business of innovation.
weekly wage was $38. Then and now: Hofmann’s engineering in the 1960s and today
Erich’s team sees great Few Australians had seen
potential in the clean a computer, let alone had
technology market. The one installed in their “Everyone here does R&D”
company has already workplace. In the early
Hofmann engineering Managing Director erich Hofmann
developed wind turbine gears 1960s, computers cost about
for clients in Germany. Now $US5 million — and rented
But companies born in strength. Our children have Australia’s workers as the
Australia is gearing up for a for $US17,000 a month.
the backyard in the 1960s opportunities our parents lifeblood of the new economy.
clean energy future the same More than 120 million words
still prosper today. Two couldn’t imagine. Their tools and skills will
opportunities are opening were sent out from Australia
here at home. Hofmann is via the international telegraph generations of Australians Erich Hofmann is optimistic always change — but their
building better components service. have gone from strength to about that future. He sees ingenuity continues to be vital.
Federal
australian
Patent Office
established.
Improved
First Australian shearing
patent handpiece Synthetic
granted— (now wine
Westinghouse featured Cane skin in a
and like train on the Anthrax Heart chopper cardboard Super
brakes $50 note) vaccine pacemaker Penicillin Hills Hoist Aerosol Mortein harvester box sopper
1904 1906 1909 1915 1918 1922 1926 1933 1940 1941 1945 1952 1953 1954 1958 1961 1965 1971 1974
Stump jump Periscope Vegemite Ute Owen gun Victa Precursor Ultrasound Orbital
disc plough rifle launched lawnmower of Black scanner engine
Box flight
recorder
To see all Australian patent records dating back to 1904
2
we do business
Our people are our strength Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr
Australia is a creative
and resilient country.
We face up to problems and we
find opportunities that others
can’t see. That is the spirit
that has kept our economy
strong through generations of
sweeping change. The jobs we
do today are not the jobs most
of our parents were trained to
do. We can only guess what the
working day will bring for our
children. That does not mean
we are hostage to fate. In every
generation, we choose what we
make of the world we confront.
Our country is now facing
change on a scale we have not
seen in 50 years, driven by the
biggest resources boom in our
history. The boom is welcome,
but it will not endure for all
time. It poses major challenges
today for industries that pay
the wages for millions of
Australians, like manufacturing
and tourism.
This is the moment to decide
who we are, what we value and
what we want this nation to be
in 10, 50, 100 years’ time. We
Model of the SKAradio telescope — Senator Kim Carr with Canberra primary school students outside Parliament House
can stand aside and let global
market forces sweep jobs and
opportunities away. Or we can
work together to re-tool our
our people. Knowledge, skills
and ideas are the key to the
and firms working together to
face the real pressures on the
Innovation is not about shiny
firms and re-train our people
for the jobs of tomorrow. They
industries of the future. factory and office floor.
gadgets. It’s about looking at a
Australia’s scientists belong We can transform our economy
will be jobs in clean technology.
They will be jobs in advanced in the front-line of that firm by firm and region by problem and seeing an opportunity.
manufacturing, sustainable
farming and the digital economy.
transformation. But this is not
a future that will be built in the
region, to claim the future this
nation deserves.
That’s the spirit that built Australia
They will be jobs built on the laboratory alone. It will be built For more information visit Senator Kim Carr
great strength of this nation — by governments, researchers www.innovation.gov.au
ingenuity
Solar
powered Race-cam ‘Cone-head’, ‘EVestG’, a
telephones camera SolarScan a shock- diagnostic
and digital installed skin absorbing technique to
radio in a car at Funnel web Safe-N- cancer liner for detect mental
concentrator Bathurst spider Sound baby WiFi detection motorcycle and neurological
system 1000 antivenene capsules technology device helmets illnesses
1975 1976 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1991 1993 2001 2002 2005 2007 2009 2010 2011
‘Triton’ Cochlear Dual flush Winged keel Cervical Optim Portable Bionic eye Rockdrill
workbench implant cistern cancer wool fibre retinal lodge a patent
vaccine processor camera application for
an improved
rock drill
visit the AusPat search system at www.ipaustralia.gov.au/auspat
3
Transforming the old
ideas that feed the world
Australia is the driest them every year, but it’s still
inhabited continent on earth. a struggle to find one that’s ripe
We’re still one of the world’s at the right time. Pressure
great food-producing nations. Fresh is tackling that problem
People at home and overseas with a new ready-to-eat
look to this country for avocado product in tubes and
nutritious products, catering to tubs. The packaging process
real-world needs and produced keeps the avocado fresh for
in a sustainable manner. four weeks from the day it
leaves the packing house.
That’s something Arnold May
of Popina Food Services knows “The driver behind AvoFresh
well. Twenty-eight years ago, he was ultimately the need to
purchased a tiny muesli-making make avocados convenient for
operation with one customer consumers, our innovative
and two or three part-time high-pressure processing
employees. It used to focus on technology has allowed us to
contract manufacturing for the achieve that,” Pressure Fresh
big supermarket brands. Then Managing Director
Arnold heard about the CSIRO’s Trent De Paoli says. “It is
BARLEYmax, a low-GI natural Future Food: researchers producing BARLEYmaxTM still early days, but the
wholegrain with twice the
consumer response has been
dietary fibre and four times the
shelves of nearly all Australian cater to the new demand. has now successfully hatched very positive.”
resistant starch.
supermarkets. A commercial lobster farm eggs. The production of a
Pressure Fresh received
“Our initial aim with industry in Australia could second generation animal
The company now employs a grant of $346,000 from
BARLEYmax was to enhance be the answer — if AIMS can proves that lobsters can be fully
more than 100 staff, and has Commercialisation Australia
the nutritional qualities of crack the challenge of breeding domesticated and opens the
just turned over $8 million from to perfect the technology at its
standard barley,” the CSIRO’s lobsters in captivity. As lobsters way to selective breeding.
the BARLEYmax range. Arnold Bundaberg facility.
Dr Bruce Lee says. “Once normally develop in oceanic With every step, jobs in a
is working with the CSIRO to nurseries far from the coast
this was achieved it was commercial lobster industry “The grant enabled us to really
important to make the improved expand into the global market. any land-based aquaculture become more viable. get going,” Trent says. “We had
grain available via the food At the other end of the research requires careful attention to the idea for some time and the
industry so all Australians water quality and special diets Science can also help
cycle, the Australian Institute primary research had been
could benefit.” to reduce mortality rates. Australians get the products
of Marine Science (AIMS) is completed. But without the
they want, in a form they
The result was Goodness looking to the booming lobster In a major research support of Commercialisation
can use.
Superfoods, and eight nutritious market in Asia. Managed wild breakthrough a female rock Australia it would still be
ready-to-eat cereals made fisheries have reached their lobster born and reared in Take avocados. Australia a researched idea, not a
by Popina are now on the sustainable limits and cannot AIMS’ Townsville headquarters produces about 50,000 tonnes of supermarket product.”
Steel — key to Australia’s manufacturing future
By 2020, world steel industry of alternative/renewable power 50 per cent less carbon dioxide designed properties for specific significant savings in energy
CO2 emissions will be close to technologies. for every tonne produced. applications in iron and and CO2 emissions, DSG could
four billion tonnes annually. steel making. also result in considerable
Working with BlueScope Steel On a life cycle basis, biochar
reductions in fresh water usage
A new integrated steelmaking and OneSteel, the CSIRO is almost greenhouse gas The use of the designer charcoal
and sulphur emissions to the
process from the CSIRO could has developed an Integrated neutral and can be derived as partial or full replacement for
atmosphere while converting
halve these emissions in Steelmaking Process with the from plantation forests and fossil carbon has already been
hundreds of millions of tonnes
countries, including Australia, potential to make more than a products such as residues from piloted in Australia. The next
of by-product/waste into
where biomass can be readily 50 per cent reduction of CO2 in harvesting and processing phase of the R&D program is
saleable cement.
produced. steel industry emissions without biomass and other agricultural to demonstrate the technology
compromising production. wastes. It can also be derived through full-scale plant trials. The CSIRO’s Integrated
Steel is the industrial backbone
from sources such as Steelmaking Process is one of
of the world. There is no There are two major DSG uses a patented technology
economic growth without it components to the Integrated dedicated plantations. the few known technologies that
to atomise melts such as slag
and no substitute for it. Steelmaking Process, namely; can deliver a substantial cut in
The CSIRO has developed and capture a large quantity
Manufacturing industries Designer Bio-char and Dry Slag carbon emissions at minimal
a novel process to convert of heat through contacting
world-wide rely on the Granulation (DSG). cost to smelters. There is no
biomass into ‘designer’ the droplets and granules
continuing availability of steel competing technology that will
Ironmaking uses large charcoal. This technology with air. The high-grade
at reasonable prices. heat in the air could then be be market-worthy before 2040.
amounts of coal and coke, maximises the charcoal yield
and allows the capture of recycled to the furnaces or The estimated value of that
Steel is part of both the climate which is produced from coal.
valuable by-products such as used for desalination of water, knowledge over the next
change problem and the climate Judiciously using biochar
change solution. Its production produced from biomass instead bio-oil and other hydrocarbons generation of electricity and 20 years is $42 billion,
accounts for 3 to 4 per cent of coal or coke can achieve which could be used to the like. DSG also produces a assuming just 10 per cent
of global CO2 greenhouse gas dramatic reductions in the generate green electricity. highly ‘glassy’ product which global market penetration.
emissions, but it also plays a environmental impact of iron The process is capable of can be used as replacement for For more information visit
critical role in the construction and steel production — over producing charcoals with Portland cement. Apart from www.csiro.au
4
Building the new
message from the Prime Minister
Today, more Australians are from today’s levels by around more Australian businesses to
working than ever before, at a $9,000 per person by 2020 and become more competitive, with
time when many countries are more than $30,000 per person greater capacity to employ more
still struggling with the fall-out by 2050. Australians.
from the global financial crisis. What are the building blocks of Record investments in our
the jobs of the future? natural resources are creating
Over the last four years we
have created nearly Technology is changing. Our massive new employment
three-quarters of a million jobs National Broadband Network opportunities across Australia.
and our unemployment rate is will link every part of Australia to
And the Government’s move to
the envy of the world. every part of the world, opening
a clean energy future, which
up business opportunities that
But we want to build on our includes putting a price on
weren’t even conceivable five or
already strong foundations and carbon, will unlock new jobs
10 years ago.
take hold of the opportunities right across the nation.
that lie ahead. Our education investments Prime Minister Julia Gillard talks with workers at the Kogan
Right now, around the globe, Creek Power Solar Boost Project
now mean all Australians,
Employment is projected to regardless of their background, governments and industries
grow strongly with a carbon can get the skills and the are competing for the jobs
Australia can be a leader of the capitalise on this new market.
price. About 1.6 million jobs knowledge they need to secure and opportunities of a low-
clean energy economy. We can
will be created by 2020, with a carbon world. By working together, we can
the high-skilled, high-paid jobs adapt and thrive where others
keep growing our economy. We
further 4.4 million by 2050. of the future. lack the courage to change.
They are cutting their costs and can keep growing jobs. We can
The gross national income per Our tax reforms are lowering boosting their productivity with And we can cut dangerous keep Australia on the high-road
person is expected to increase company tax and enabling the aid of new technologies. carbon pollution as we to prosperity.
Building on the building
blocks of life
titans of Titanium
Twenty-five years ago the …Vaxxas Pty Ltd is developing Australia has the largest used worldwide today are Melbourne’s Swinburne
biotechnology industry did a pain-free way to administer known titanium reserves in costly and inefficient, largely University, is proving we can do
not exist. vaccines. The Nanopatch is the world. because titanium is so just that. He’s helping the auto
smaller than a postage stamp, hard and resistant to heat. industry tackle a challenge as
Today, Australian biotechnology It’s useful stuff. Titanium is
with thousands of small Manufacturers pay through old as the Model T Ford.
companies have a combined as strong as steel but about
projections that overcome the the nose for the raw metal,
market capitalisation in excess half the weight. It’s also highly The radiators we use today
need for needles. then have to machine away
of $25 billion. About 13,000 resistant to corrosion, fatigue are basically the same as
90 per cent of it.
people work in this diverse …Licella is producing bio- and extreme temperatures. the radiators we used back in
industry, ranging from bio- crude oil which can be refined The arrival of additive the 1920s, because no-one’s
Today, most of our titanium
medical companies to those for use in regular engines from ore is shipped overseas and manufacturing technologies, found a better alternative —
involved in clean and green readily available and renewable bought back after processing. which generate 3D shapes until now.
industrial processing and sources, including woody waste The processing costs are too directly, is changing the game.
residues and grasses. Instead of machining a product Callaghan has designed a
agriculture. They are part of high to be commercially viable
out of a block of metal, new radiator made entirely of
a new industrial revolution …Acrux has entered a $US335 in this country. We buy our
that is changing every part additive manufacturing builds strong, light and corrosion-
million deal with a global titanium back in everything
of our lives, with the aid of from ingots for industry to hip up products layer by layer out resistant titanium. His
pharmaceutical company for
biotechnology… replacements and cookware of powder or metal wire, using idea employs selective
Axiron, the first testosterone
for consumers. On the energy from lasers or electron laser melting, an additive
…the Australian Centre for replacement product that
current extraction rate, beams to bind the metal into a manufacturing technology that
Plant Functional Genomics can be applied to the armpit
Australia could keep that up shape. It is faster, cheaper, and uses a high-powered laser
has produced rice with up to like roll-on deodorant. It is
for 90 years before our cleaner — and the global race to fuse fine metallic powders
four times the amount of iron estimated that the annual
reserves are gone. to develop the technology is
market for testosterone together. It offers dramatic
and double the amount of zinc. heating up.
replacement therapy is valued But John Barnes, a senior savings in labour, time,
This development will help
at $US1 billion and growing at research leader at the CSIRO, “Australia is well-placed to get materials and energy costs,
improve the lives of the two
20 per cent each year. has a better idea. If we ahead,” John says. “We already and major reductions
billion people suffering iron
converted just 1 per cent of our have the high-skill workforce in the environmental impact
deficiency worldwide. Field And there’s plenty more — all
titanium ore reserves each year needed for computer-aided of traditional radiators —
trials are now underway. happening in Australia today.
to metal, and turned it into high- product design. With the
which rely on lead coatings to
Future Technologies in Manufacturing value products, John estimates right titanium technology we
prevent corrosion.
Technologies such as nanotechnology and biotechnology we would achieve the same would gain a powerful edge
are predicted to have enormous impacts on the future of annual earnings as we get now over mass-scale, low-wage There’s a long way to go before
manufacturing. Nanotechnology, which enables the engineering from our raw ore exports. producers overseas. We can Callaghan’s radiators end up on
of matter at near atomic or molecular scales, offers the get better, cheaper titanium the assembly line. But there’s
That’s why the CSIRO is active
possibility of many new industrial applications across sectors, products into the global no doubt today that we’re
in research and development
including energy production, filtration, drug delivery and a market.” ready to take titanium from ore
in each stage of the titanium
wide variety of new materials. Estimates are that products to more — more jobs, more
production supply chain, from The winner of the CSIRO’s
incorporating nanotechnology may be generating revenue of efficiency and more export
material production to metal inaugural Titanium Challenge,
around $US2.5 trillion worldwide by 2015.
machining. The processes Callaghan Forsyth from earnings from our resources.
5
Creative and resilient
“As a global
Matrix: A wa success story
enterprise, we
remain firmly
committed Matrix Composites and operations, downstream LNG, The company’s commitment
to Australia Engineering Ltd is a unique offshore, and connectors, to commercial innovation and
because we Western Australian firm with casing and risers. its success on a global scale
continue to find and create a global client base. was recognised when it won
As well as subsea buoyancy
significant value here.” the national 2010 Australian
It is a world leader in the systems — a market that
Export Award for Advanced
Ian Thomas, President, Boeing manufacture and supply of Matrix dominates on a
Australia & South Pacific
Manufacturer, as well as the
subsea buoyancy systems for global scale — the firm also
2011 Subsea Energy Australian
the oil and gas industry, and engineers systems for offshore Awards for the category of
is one of a number of world- oil and gas wells that reduce ‘Global Exports’.
“The ARC class oil and gas equipment drilling and completion times,
works closely manufacturers in Australasia. improve safety and increase oil Sales revenue increased
with by 82 per cent in the 2011
The company’s industrial and gas well recovery rates.
universities to financial year, when the
chemists, materials scientists “Matrix invests heavily in company’s composites
facilitate
and composites engineers research and development. production facilities operated
the strong Matrix’s “Sea of Buoyancy”
have developed market- A strong focus on R&D allows at full capacity. When the new
partnerships between
universities and industry that are leading engineered products us to manufacture products Henderson plant reaches (www.ausindustry.gov.au),
essential to Australia’s innovative using advanced composite and that are superior in nature full production, which is assists the company in keeping
manufacturing future.” polymer materials for and exceed client expected in the first half of pace with global industry
use in the oil, gas and expectations,” CEO Aaron the 2012 financial year, it will leaders. Tradex makes
Margaret Sheil, CEO, Australian
resources industries. Begley says. have doubled the production
Research Council Australian exporters more
Matrix products are used by capacity of the company’s competitive by providing up-
The company’s new 20,000m2
many of the world’s largest existing facilities in Malaga, front customs duty and GST
premises at the Australian
oil and gas producers, drilling Western Australia. exemptions at the time of import.
“Manufacturing Marine Park at Henderson,
contractors, installation south of Perth, is the largest Matrix employs more than
is a source of “Tradex helps enormously
contractors and equipment and most technically advanced 400 staff and exports 90
income, wealth from a cash-flow perspective
suppliers. per cent of its products and
creation and composites syntactic plant in because we do not have to worry
the world. It has a pressure services to clients in more about a convoluted drawback
employment.” Matrix services key markets
testing facility that allows than 30 countries.
including subsea umbilicals, process,” Aaron says. “In effect,
Peter Burn, Director, Australian
Industry Group risers and flowlines, deepwater Matrix to qualify and test The Australian Government’s we are paying world prices for
drilling, marine risers, buoyancy systems to a Tradex scheme, which is our raw materials. That puts us
well construction, marine service depth of 17,500. administered by AusIndustry on a level playing field.”
“One thing
is clear, for IBM — COMMITTED TO AUSTRALIA: Managing Director IBM Australia and New Zealand, Andrew Stevens
the future
On the eve of the official and the research initiatives they shared commitment between decade, Australia has
prosperity of
opening of IBM’s research and will focus on will map directly government, academia, and become an increasingly
Australia:
development laboratory in to some of Australia’s most business towards the pursuit of important and growing
manufacturing matters.”
Australia, scheduled for pressing challenges, including: smarter solutions to the world’s destination for IBM’s R&D
Jeff Lawrence, Secretary, ACTU smarter natural resource challenges and a confidence investment. Establishing the lab
14 October, 2011, it’s exciting to
anticipate what the future will management; smarter natural in the enhanced role that is the ultimate recognition that
disaster management; and Australians can play in creating Australia has a key role to play in
hold for this facility.
“The CSIRO is healthcare and life sciences. a better world. IBM’s R&D future.
helping more Announced a year ago, the
The establishment of an R&D Globally, IBM invests more We are delighted that Australia
than 1,000 lab will be IBM’s first lab that
Lab in Australia reflects the in R&D than any other like is playing an extremely
Australian combines R&D in a single
world-class research talent we company, $6 billion in 2010 — important part in the
businesses organisation focused on
have in this country, and how and we spread those investment Corporation’s future, and we are
use innovation accelerating progress towards
far Australia has come as a dollars across the planet — confident that we will see many
to compete globally.” a smarter planet.
provider of high-value technical wherever we believe there are ground-breaking discoveries
Megan Clark, CEO, the CSIRO
The lab will employ at least 150 and research expertise. It the best skills, opportunities coming out of the IBM R&D lab in
people over the next five years also demonstrates the deep, and local support. Over the past the coming years.
“Advanced Selling the Green and Gold Economy: Supplier Envoy, Steve Bracks
and precision
manufacturing As one of No-one’s going to do us any particularly our work in green automobile wheels in 2012.
makes the Australia’s special favours. cars. People want cars that CFusion is commercialising
machines Supplier are cheap to run, but they don’t the wheel with help from the
The truth is, we don’t need them.
that make the Envoys, it’s my want cars that can’t perform. Australian Government’s Green
The workers and researchers
products that make our lives job to show Australian companies are finding Car Innovation Fund. Executive
major players in Australia can make quality,
what they are today.” really smart ways to strike the Chairman Jake Dingle says the
in the auto industry that it pays high-value products that other
Shane Infanti, CEO, Australian balance. company will employ 180-200
to invest in Australian firms countries just aren’t matching.
Manufacturing Technology skilled workers in this new high-
and Australian jobs. There Global investors value our CFusion, which trades as Carbon
Institute tech manufacturing industry.
are plenty of countries with technology and skills. There’s Revolution, is a great example.
lower wages, lower standards a lot of interest in the products It plans to start manufacturing When you buy Australian, you
and a better exchange rate. in the pipeline at the moment, the world’s first carbon fibre buy innovation.
6
Researchers in the front line
bionic eye in sight Partnerships
Australia’s Cooperative
Research Centres (CRCs) are
People facing progressive hope of a life with greater vision, partnerships between public
vision loss have high hopes mobility and independence. researchers and industry.
for a new technology being These partnerships have
That would not be possible
developed by an Australian developed new products
without cutting-edge skills
group of researchers at Bionic and processes which are
across an incredible range of
Vision Australia, part of a creating new jobs, attracting
fields, including ophthalmology,
Special Research Initiative international investment,
biomedical engineering, increasing our safety and
funded through the Australian
neuroscience, psychophysics giving us technologically
Research Council.
and surgical and clinical advanced consumables.
The team includes leading practice. Researchers, doctors,
researchers who helped to manufacturers and patients GroundProbe Pty Ltd
develop the cochlear implant need to work together to build CRC spinoff company
(bionic ear), a hugely successful the best possible product. GroundProbe has deployed its
Aussie innovation which has Retinitis pigmentosa results in progressive vision loss. slope-stability radars (SSR™)
Photo: Centre for Eye Research Australia.
The same principle of co-
brought the miracle of sound globally to measure the rock
operation for a common
to more than 200,000 people walls of open-pit mines and
goal underpins all the grant
worldwide. is then interpreted by the visual a retinal implant with over provide early-warning of
programs the Australian
processing centres of the brain 1,000 electrodes. wall movement and potential
Just a short time since the Research Council administers.
as an image. collapses. GroundProbe employs
$42 million funding commenced First patient tests of the wide- The Linkage Projects scheme,
150 people in Australia and
in 2009, the project is already The images are getting clearer view device are expected by for example, aims to bring top
overseas.
showing encouraging results. as the team’s work accelerates. 2013, while the high-acuity researchers together with
The bionic eye consists of a The first prototype, called the device should be ready for the companies and end product MIGfast Pty Ltd
camera attached to a pair of ‘wide-view’ device, distinguishes first patient tests in 2014. This users, so they can match their CRC spinoff MIGfast has
glasses, which captures the light from dark, to enable is welcome news indeed for ideas to real-world needs. developed advanced welding
visual scene and transmits patients to manoeuvre around people racing the clock, and Nearly 2,000 different partner tips for aerospace, automotive
radio frequency signals to a large objects. This requires those already living with vision organisations are involved in and metal and machining
microchip implanted in the a retinal implant with around loss due to conditions such as Linkage programs already companies. This new
eye. Electrodes attached to 100 electrodes. The second retinitis pigmentosa and age- underway. technology enables Australian
the chip convert these signals prototype, called the ‘high- related macular degeneration. To learn more about the Bionic Eye,
companies to weld up to
into electrical impulses which acuity’ device, aims to help This technology may not match visit www.bionicvision.org.au/ 50 per cent faster with
30 per cent less CO2 emissions.
stimulate the retina, conveying patients to recognise the incredible power of the For more information on the ARC’s
signals to the optic nerve. This faces and read large print using human eye, but it can offer real programs, visit www.arc.gov.au
Rubicon Systems Pty Ltd
Rubicon Systems, bolstered
Australia to help address global nuclear medicine shortage by its collaboration with the
CRC for Sensor Signal and
There are tens of millions the country with 10,000 patient In 2009–10, ANSTO responded which is one of only a few Information Processing and
of nuclear medicine doses each week. to a global shortage of research reactors that run CRC partner the University of
procedures performed around Molybdenum-99 resulting from on Low-Enriched Uranium Melbourne, has become a world
And with the some of the world’s
the world each year to ensure the unplanned shut down of producing commercial leader in the automation of
major radioisotope-producing
quick, accurate diagnosis of two overseas isotope producing quantities of medical irrigation supply systems. It now
reactors expected to stop
illnesses. reactors. ANSTO increased its isotopes. LEU reactors are has 110 full-time employees in
manufacturing by 2020, ANSTO
production of Molybdenum-99 favoured by customers such Australia and 14 overseas.
The thyroid, bones, heart, liver may soon provide doses to
and many other organs can be hospitals around the globe. and made its first exports to as the United States because
Scanalyse Pty Ltd
easily imaged and disorders in North America. this ensures that the fuel
Across the world, clinicians use Start-up company Scanalyse
their function revealed. The ANSTO isotopes ensured can only be used for peaceful
medical imaging to accurately has commercialised
thousands of Americans had applications.
Isotopes are manufactured at diagnose disease. These MillMapper, a laser scanning
Australia’s Nuclear Science and procedures need Molybdenum-99 access to critical diagnostic Demand for nuclear medicine technology used on mine sites
Technology Organisation, ANSTO. — a raw isotope used to produce tests, avoiding potentially life procedures is now at an around the world. MillMapper
As the only producer of this Technetium-99m, a radioactive threatening delays to treatments. all-time high, and the world scans the liners of grinding
nuclear medicine in Australia, tracer that medical equipment Molybdenum-99 is manufactured is increasingly turning to mills for wear and tear and
ANSTO supplies hospitals across can detect in the body. using Australia’s OPAL reactor, Australia to fill the need. reduces machine downtime
and operating costs. The
technology was developed by
Australian science — great talent, great potential: Australia’s Chief Scientist, Prof Ian Chubb the CRC for Spatial Information.
Scanalyse employs 20 people in
It’s not hard represents about 0.3 per cent of There are scientists at work industry to tackle. That doesn’t Australia and overseas.
to be an the world’s population, but we for Australia all across the mean we can afford to ignore
optimist in my still produce more than 3 per country, from the bottom of them. As our knowledge about
job. I am the cent of its new research. the ocean to the heart of the these problems expands, I
ambassador Our strengths in areas like Pilbara. hope people won’t lose sight
for the tens of thousands of tropical science, astronomy It is not always easy to come of the extraordinary power
scientists and researchers in and medicine are pretty well to terms with the evidence that of the human mind. We can
Australia. That means I deal known. If you look a bit deeper, scientists put on the table. understand these issues,
every day with some of the you’ll discover there are world- Problems like climate change and we can build the tools to
most inspiring people you’re class researchers here in and urban sprawl can seem too conquer them, with science, The CRC program is an Australian
likely to meet. Australia almost every modern field. complex for governments or research and clever people. Government Initiative
7
Work in progress
powering ideas
Type ‘NOJA Power’ The NOJA circuit breaker is
Australia and New
similar to those installed in
into Google and homes across the country. Zealand are laying
you’ll be bombarded But theirs is used on overhead the groundwork to
high voltage power lines,
with hits on the automatically restoring supply host an international
company’s world- by opening, allowing the mega-science
transient fault to clear and then
class switchgears. closing again in sub second project—the
It may not be the sexiest of times. It allows for greater $2.5 billion Square
subjects, but the internet reliability, and it could mean
and the name were part of a the difference between a minor Kilometre Array
deliberate marketing strategy inconvenience and sustained radio telescope.
that has turned NOJA from an power outages. The product is
also used to improve protection Dr Lisa Harvey-Smith runs a
idea to a company employing
in rural areas and help protect long race—literally. She’s an
more than 150 people — in less
ultra runner, competing in 100
than a decade. against bushfires started by
km, 12 hour and 24 hour races.
power line faults.
As Neil O’Sullivan explains, That’s in her spare time. In her
the four founding directors “We sell to electricity utility working life she’s the CSIRO
used their initials to produce customers worldwide as well as Project Scientist for one of
a distinctive company name. mining companies,” Neil says. the biggest, longest scientific
And, sitting in his home office, “And, now that the Victorian projects around: the Square
the three engineers and MBA Bushfire Commission has Kilometre Array (SKA) radio
graduate nutted out the plan mandated that electricity utilities telescope.
that has given that name a be updated, we have been asked
The SKA is an international
profile in 75 countries to customise our product.”
project involving hundreds of
“We wanted to get to as many Neil says that NOJA has a scientists and engineers, from
clients as quickly as possible. varied workforce made up of more than 20 countries, that
We took out second mortgages, engineers, tradesmen, semi- have all been working to design
spent 12 months on research skilled and unskilled workers. the world’s largest, most
and development and got a sensitive, most sophisticated
“And there are two shifts.
$750,000 R&D Grant from the radio telescope.
The 6am to 2.30pm is really
federal government,” he says. “It grew from the ground up,”
attractive to working mums.
“We had to match it. But I We’ve been overwhelmed by Lisa explains.
want to make it clear that women wanting to return to the “Twenty years ago the SKA was
partnerships between workforce. We train them. We a twinkle in the eye of a few
government and business are offer electrical apprenticeships, astronomers, and now it’s this
critical. The return on that initial business traineeships and mega-project.”
investment is one-hundred-fold engineering internships,
in terms of exports and jobs.” and sponsor people to go to
NOJA spent $100,000 of university,” Neil says.
that money testing its first “We’re taking Australian
product — a high voltage circuit technology to the world and
breaker — in the Netherlands, R&D is the cornerstone of our
ensuring it met all international business. We work with the
standards. It was money that University of Queensland and
would be lost if it failed to get QUT. We use their labs, take
the tick. student placements and pay
“We got the certificates. Our to use university facilities for
first sale was to China in 2002 research.
and we delivered the first
“Our future is bright because
products in 2003,” Neil says.
of our continuous investment
“It’s important that you own the in R&D. We’re a 100 per cent
IP [intellectual property] and owned Australian company and
manufacture the finished goods.” we’re proud of that.”
AusIndustry delivers a range of programs that support
businesses, facilitate the sustainable growth of venture
capital, and stimulate the conversion of research and
emerging new technologies.
Neil O’Sullivan, from NOJA Power
For more information visit www.ausindustry.gov.au
Milspec’s Maurie Bush
8
Work in progress
EXAMINING THE UNIVERSE
the international SKA Program paid to Australian companies in
Development Office. the course of the construction,
including 20 Australian
The SKA will come to either
companies with which the
Australia-New Zealand or to
CSIRO has contracts worth
a consortium of countries in
over $100,000.
southern Africa.
And, as part of an Indigenous
Both groups are poised to
Land Use Agreement, the
learn in early 2012 who will get
CSIRO will provide up to
the nod.
70 cadetships to the local
Australia’s bid for the SKA has Wajarri Yamatji people over the
been led and co-ordinated by the next 30 years.
Commonwealth Government.
“If the SKA comes here we
A key part of the Australian expect there’ll be about 330
preparations has been jobs during the construction
building the Australian SKA phase, which will last seven to
Pathfinder, a smaller but also 10 years and up to 360 jobs in
groundbreaking telescope of ongoing operations,” Lisa says.
36 antennas, at Australia’s
The number of SKA-related
candidate site for the core
contracts for Australian
of the SKA, the Murchison
Lisa Harvey-Smith standing in front of an antenna of the Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope at the Murchison companies will continue to
Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia. Radio-astronomy Observatory,
Photo: Dragonfly Media grow as ancillary projects,
300 kilometres north-east of
such as the Pawsey Computing
Geraldton in WA.
Participating countries will It’s a sophisticated technique, Lisa’s own research interests Centre in Perth, and a project
jointly fund the $2.5 billion needing enormous computing are similarly broad: cosmic Murchison Shire is the size to supply the SKA with
telescope. power. magnetism, remains of of the Netherlands, but has a sustainable energy, expand.
exploded stars, the gas in space population of less than 160.
The SKA will have thousands “Astronomers have been Big science facilities last a
of individual antennas, developing this technique for between the stars, how massive “The site is accessible but the long time.
spread over thousands of 50 years,” Lisa says. “Even stars form and ‘astrophysical low population density means
“We expect the SKA to operate
kilometres of country, but so, the SKA is way beyond any masers’ (regions in space that it’s extremely radio-quiet—there
for at least 50 years,” Lisa says.
taking up a total area of just telescope ever built before.” shine brightly in radio waves). are very low levels of radio
“So, yes, we are in it for the
one square kilometre. Her role as Project Scientist signals—which is what we must
The SKA will give astronomers long haul.”
involves further developing the have for a telescope as sensitive
“The data from all these insight into the formation and
as the SKA,” Lisa explains. Her ultra-marathon experience
antennas is fed together and evolution of the first stars and SKA’s science case, keeping
will be coming in handy.
processed together, and the galaxies after the Big Bang, the engineering developments There are currently 85 people
whole set-up mimics one role of cosmic magnetism, the aligned with science goals, and employed in the CSIRO to work To find out more about Australia
enormous dish with an area of nature of gravity, and possibly liaising between scientists in on ASKAP and $50 million and New Zealand’s bid, visit
a square kilometre,” Lisa says. life beyond Earth. Australia and New Zealand and worth of contracts have been www.ska.gov.au
One thousand steps to success
When Maurie Bush But Milspec’s owners, Wendy “We’ve made some huge And Maurie’s team is leading the contribution,” he says. “We can
and David Cooper, had other changes requiring considerable way. It’s one of the most active in now take the skills we’ve built
was told he had plans. In 2006 Milspec expanded flexibility and resourcefulness the factory. up over 40 years and update,
to sign up for its operations by purchasing from our staff — including
“I finally agreed to participate
adapt and share them with
a local sheetmetal fabrication consolidating all our operations other workers.”
a Certificate IV business. This threw the under one roof — which
and I have got a lot out of it.
It has made us more aware of Wendy puts the company’s
in Competitive company into turmoil. Morale has boosted morale and
what we are doing and how we success down to the
was low, and staff turnover was productivity,” Wendy says.
Manufacturing, high. Wendy and David set out are contributing to the whole commitment of its people.
“Our welding team improved team,” Maurie says. “We’re a small company based
to turn that around. Their goal
he was reluctant. was simple: find and make 1,000
the workflow in the welding in regional Australia and we
bays to accommodate additional “The training has helped us to compete globally for business.
“I was 61- years-old. I was workplace improvements to
work from the railway industry. work smarter, and find better, Our continued success is no
concerned I had nothing to gain keep Milspec strong.
Our machine shop team easier and safer ways of doing small achievement and very
out of doing the training,” he says.
No desk was left unturned, and completed a business and things. It makes it more much due to our combined
Maurie was one of four men in no employee was left behind. installation plan for a new enjoyable for everyone. We’re effort,” Wendy says.
the mechanical assembly team All 55 workers in the company $25,000 tool-setting machine, now thinking along the same
at the time — permanent, “It’s fantastic to see what can
at Milspec Manufacturing Pty which has significantly reduced lines — it has brought the team
casual and trainee staff — were be achieved when we all work
Ltd, a precision engineering set-up times; and our paint closer together.”
signed up for Competitive together as a team.”
business based in Albury, NSW. shop team built a new in-house
Manufacturing training. Meanwhile, 60-year-old team Milspec recently received a
All four were over 40, and some spray booth with improved fume
supervisor Frank Hicks is Business Review from Enterprise
hadn’t undertaken any training Less than two years on, Milspec reduction technology. Even the
rethinking his retirement plans. Connect, for further information
since leaving school. They’d given has already ticked off the 1,000 office support areas were re- contact the Enterprise Connect
decades of service. They were improvement milestone — and designed for improved space “I am not in a hurry to leave now, hotline on 131 791 or visit
looking forward to retirement. they aren’t stopping there. and workflow.” I feel like we can still make a www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au
9
Re-tool and re-skill
THE RESILIENCE OF AUSTRALIAN FIRMS
You don’t come to water retention, and reduce to profitability. It now employs
manufacturing for a quiet life. greenhouse gas emissions and more than 20 staff in two full
That is something Rex and nutrient leaching. Chaotech’s shifts daily and, in response
Susan Manderson know well. pyrolysis plant would also to increasing demand, has
generate 500 kilowatts for local invested in new sophisticated
Two decades ago, they founded
power consumption. But the computer-numerical-control
Chaotech Pty Ltd, focusing
pilot plant, along with the rest machines. Chaotech is now
on steel, copper, brass and
of the business, had to be put looking to take on more
aluminium components
on hold. skilled workers, and get the
for electrical switchgear
pilot plant back on track.
manufacturers. Business was Rex and Susan had to deal
booming — until the factory with a $1 million damage bill, That is a testament to the
in Rocklea, Queensland, was a major pilot project and a phenomenal resilience of
submerged beneath three fast-growing order book at Australian manufacturing.
metres of muddy water in the the same time. They did what
Many Australian firms are
January floods. Australian manufacturers
facing hard times today —
have done for generations.
Power was shut down for two hard times that few could
They faced the problems, they
weeks. All the machinery had have foreseen when their
looked to the long-term, and
to be dismantled, cleaned, businesses were
they made the adjustments
rewired, and recommissioned. established. Our dollar
to get the business back on
Some of the plant is still out of has shot up significantly
track. By subcontracting work
action today. in the space of two years,
to other machine shops and
putting serious pressure
It couldn’t have happened borrowing and purchasing
on companies exposed to
at a worse moment for machines, they managed to
the global market. We’re
Chaotech. With the support of maintain production. The
dealing, at the same time,
the Australian Government’s business has now achieved
with sweeping changes in the
Climate Ready program, a milestone of having all know their business and their Above: The resilient Mandersons
way the world does business are getting back to business after
Chaotech was building a production back on site, people best. But they’re not
— from our relationship with Queensland’s floods. Chaotech
pyrolysis plant to turn sawdust with no further need for alone. In good times and bad,
China to our approach to mechanical engineer Daniel
waste into biochar for farmers. subcontracting. government and industry
carbon pollution. Manderson, responsible for the
It’s a biomass-derived charcoal are working together to find
The owners believe the firm’s biomass pyrolysis plant, is
that can improve harvest Governments can’t make the opportunities that come
business is close to a return flanked by his parents, Chaotech
yields, soil structure and the decisions for firms. They with change. owners Rex and Susan.
never look back Supporting the Illawarra
Factories are the and they thought they had a > In response to BlueScope
future worth saving. They chose Steel’s planned
heart of towns to remake local industries and restructuring
and the significant loss
across the country. rebuild local jobs.
of jobs in the Illawarra,
Governments put in capital
When factories the Commonwealth and
— a $30 million Innovation the NSW Governments
close, a community Investment Fund. Researchers have announced a
put in the ideas — for better
suffers — and products, for cheaper
$30 million Innovation
and Investment Fund.
a community processes, for smarter ways
of doing business. Companies > It will be funded by
fights back. stepped up to make those ideas Mirror image: University of South Australia’s Colin Hall was a lead contributions from
researcher on the SMR plastic automotive reflective mirror project. the Commonwealth
For many South Australians, a reality, putting in about
that moment came in 2008 with $140 million in new investment. Government ($20 million),
But SMR thought it was capable That was just one of 29 the New South Wales
the shut-down of the Mitsubishi
Today that investment is paying of much more. A $500,000 projects made possible by the Government ($5 million)
plant at Tonsley Park. The
off in jobs and opportunities. grant from the South Australia South Australian Innovation and BlueScope Steel
factory had stood proud for
SMR Automotive is a prime Innovation Investment Fund Investment Fund. The new ($5 million).
more than 50 years, making has allowed the company to
example. The company had industries it opened up show
more than a million cars and develop a new clean room > The Fund will strengthen
been making rear vision mirrors
employing two generations the true depth and breadth
at Lonsdale for decades. facility, allowing it to use its the Illawarra region by
of local families. Hundreds of world-class plastic injection of skills in the local business stimulating investment and
Today, it is a global pioneer in
jobs were lost in one blow, and moulding machines in entirely community. Bio-manufacturing diversifying the economic
high-precision moulding and
hundreds more would follow new ways. SMR will be able to and sustainable fish farming and employment base now
optical engineering. The global
as the impact rippled down make precision components for are a far cry from the car and into the future.
company, of which SMR is a
the supply chain. It was said a range of high-tech products, factory that attracted people
key part, supplies 30 per cent ranging from whitegoods to > More information on the
that local industry would in the past. The area has
of the world market. As the medical devices. The project Fund will be available
never recover. re-tooled and re-skilled to help
Australian arm of a global will create about 37 high-wage, through the AusIndustry
South Australians didn’t agree. corporate empire you could secure its future.
high-skill jobs for the region, hotline, 13 28 46 or visit
They faced up to the problems, say it leads the world in and great opportunities for For more information visit www.ausindustry.gov.au
they looked at their strengths, looking backwards. other industry partners. www.ausindustry.gov.au
10Re-tool and re-skill
spread your wings Clean 21:
Making Better
It’s not easy to make a living curators and galleries overseas Managers
selling paintings. is critical. Ross has already
used his web presence to Every worker is only as good
It doesn’t help when your
mount exhibitions in New York. as their managers allow them
gallery is so remote that to be. Strong leaders build
customers need a four-wheel But www.blackcockatoogallery.
teams where talent thrives
drive to visit. com.au hasn’t just given Ross
and loyalty is rewarded.
an international profile — it’s
Ross Franzi (pictured) is an Enterprise Connect’s Making
convinced people all over the
Australian artist based in Better Managers program
world to come to Australia.
Bloomfield, on the edge of the invests in our future by investing
The gallery itself has seen
Daintree National Park. If his in our people.
increased traffic and Ross
Black Cockatoo Gallery had
is active in promoting the Leadership 21 is a national
to rely on passing visitors, opportunities for artists in leadership development course
he’d rarely make a sale. The Australia. He’s developing and for CEOs, business owners
business is 180 kilometres marketing Master Art classes and senior management.
north of Cairns, with many river for an international audience The course involves action-
and creek crossings along the through the website. based learning, coaching, and
way. In the wet season, access working with peers to improve
can be cut off altogether. Today, only two-fifths of
performance.
Australian firms have a web
That hasn’t stopped Ross doing presence, according to the The Design Integration Pilot
what he does best — living with latest ABS data. The smaller aims to help businesses
Small Business Support Line the beauty and power of wild your firm, the less likely you organise their internal
> A single point of contact to access information, advice and Australia and sharing it with are to maintain a website. processes to enhance their
referral services to assist small businesses, including the world through his art. But you don’t have to move to capacity to grow and change.
personal hardship counselling. With the assistance of the Small the Daintree to see the benefits
of an online presence. Enterprise Learning and
> In just over two years of operation, the SBSL has received Business Online program,
Mentoring assists firms to
almost 40,000 calls. Ross’s website is his shop These days, international
take up opportunities for
> People taking calls have extensive personal small business window, opening his unique students come to Australia
growth identified by Enterprise
sector experience. works to customers all over the to study art — and that’s a
Connect’s Business Review.
> Call 1800 777 725 or email:sbsl@innovation.gov.au world. As an artist, maintaining testament to the impact of
his exposure to leading art pioneers like Ross. The Continuous Improvement
Program boosts firm
performance by making
A helping hand to new skills and jobs innovation ‘business as usual’
for every employee.
Employment training dependants may be eligible for assistance through Job Centrelink offers free advice
The Market Intelligence
and relocation an additional $3,000. Services Australia under the on redundancy packages
Service provides tailored
Experience+ Job Transition and government assistance.
Job Services Australia Employers who take on assistance to businesses
Support program. Eligibility for income support
operates in more than relocating job seekers receive looking for market
a $2,500 wage subsidy in will depend on a job seeker’s
2,000 locations around the They may access free career opportunities.
recognition of the support and counselling through the personal circumstances,
country, connecting job
assistance workers need in the Experience+Career Advice including income and assets; Workshops, Industry
seekers to government
early stages of new jobs. service, which helps them with however, support may not be Intelligence and Networking
initiatives that will help them
career decisions and achieving immediately available where a offers grants to organisations
with skills and training for Local Employment
a new job. their workforce goals, such as worker has received leave or to deliver workshops, seminars,
Co-ordinators are working in
identifying transferable skills, redundancy payments. and a range of other activities
Job Services Australia 20 Priority Employment Areas
exploring career options and for business on behalf of
assesses job seekers’ across Australia, responding to
planning to find a new job. Job seekers with Enterprise Connect.
circumstances, working with redundancies and coordinating
them to develop a tailored government, community and disability and mental
For further information about the
Employment Pathway Plan, business partnerships to Language Literacy and health conditions Making Better Managers programs
which can include training stimulate local economies and Numeracy Program People with disability or and upcoming events in your region,
assistance and job matching. generate new jobs. mental health issues who need contact the Enterprise Connect
Job Services Australia
hotline on 131 791 or visit
Job Services Australia can Regional Education, Skills and Centrelink can refer special workplace support
www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au
provide funds to help workers and Jobs Coordinators retrenched workers over the may be eligible for Disability
seeking employment. Job work in communities to age of 25 to the program to Employment Services, where
seekers can get assistance deliver education, skills and improve their reading, writing they get specialist assistance
for relocation, personal jobs plans and to improve or maths skills, helping them and ongoing support to help
presentation, essential trade regional participation and participate more effectively in them find and keep a job. Job
tools and licences — even productivity through early training or at work. Services Australia providers can
driving lessons. childhood development, year 12 work with job seekers to help
attainment and vocational and assess their eligibility if needed.
Connecting People with Jobs Child care benefits and
higher education.
provides practical assistance managing finances
to relocate job seekers. Department of Education,
Redundant workers having
Mature age job seekers Employment and
Those who have found a job difficulty meeting child care
or apprenticeship can receive Redundant workers over 50 costs as a result of losing their
Workplace Relations
up to $6,000 in relocation from a Priority Employment job may be eligible for the Hotline: 1300 363 079
expenses. Families with Area may qualify for immediate Special Child Care Benefit. Website: www.deewr.gov.au
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