Bradfield Development Authority
Advanced manufacturing innovation in Western Sydney is set for a boost, with a partnership agreement announced between Bradfield City Centre’s Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF) and 11 NSW and ACT universities.
Under the agreement, the New South Wales Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (NSWVCC), the peak body for universities in NSW and the ACT, will work strategically with the AMRF to combine the world-class research capabilities of the universities with the AMRF’s industrial production expertise and infrastructure.
The programs will help translate innovative research into commercial production, supporting a strong economic pipeline for manufacturing in Australia. The partnership will create unique opportunities for universities to bring their industry partners into the AMRF ecosystem. Additionally, a research and education strategy on NSW-wide priorities will also be developed to maximise opportunities under the agreement.
NSW universities will also be integrated with AMRF through AMRF Connect, a business connector and accelerator Hub operated by Western Sydney University’s Launch Pad in partnership with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.
Growing the next generation of advanced manufacturing experts is also a key focus, with an internship program kicking off in 2025 that will see university students undertake paid placements at the AMRF. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from underrepresented backgrounds will be strongly encouraged as part of a commitment to increasing diversity in the industry.
Universities partnering with the AMRF under the agreement include:
- Australian Catholic University (ACU)
- The Australian National University (ANU)
- Charles Sturt University (CSU)
- University of New South Wales (UNSW)
- Macquarie University (MQ)
- The University of Newcastle (UON)
- The University of New England (UNE)
- The University of Sydney (USYD)
- University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
- University of Wollongong (UOW)
- Western Sydney University (WSU)
Bradfield Development Authority CEO Ken Morrison said:
“Bringing together the world-class leadership of our university sector and the AMRF is an enormous opportunity to supercharge industry as we build Bradfield as a new high-tech ecosystem in Western Sydney.
“As well as translating groundbreaking research into commercial realities for businesses, we’re also investing in the skilled workforce of the future through an exciting internship program that will see students experience learning with the highest quality machines and experts on offer.
We know that a diverse manufacturing sector innovates more, which is why we’ll be actively encouraging women, First Nations, and culturally and linguistically diverse students to apply as part of our commitment to increasing diversity in the industry.”
NSW Vice-Chancellors’ Committee Convener, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said:
“Our universities are absolutely committed to strengthening our communities and the whole of NSW. This partnership agreement will be great for students, researchers, industry, and it will be great for the NSW economy.
We’re delighted to partner in this way with the NSW Government.”