Five ways to save our economy and back local jobs

Australia’s economy is slipping down the global rankings, but fixing it doesn’t start in Canberra – it starts with us. Here are five practical ways to Back Australia.

Australia is known as the “lucky country” but we’re running out luck. For decades, our nation’s economy has relied on digging up raw materials and shipping them overseas but that isn’t enough.

On the Harvard Economic Complexity Index (ECI), which measures how smart and diverse an economy is, Australia is ranked 105th, putting us behind Botswana and just ahead of Cote d’Ivoire.

While we might be rich in resources, we’re poor in complexity.

Australia has plenty of ideas, but we’re terrible at turning them into actual products you can buy. The good news is, the solution doesn’t require a Senate inquiry or a new government fund (though that would help).

It starts with us – everyday Aussies – and the decisions we make, including what we buy, where we spend and who we support.

As part of News Australia’s Back Australia campaign, here are five ways you can help.

Australian Made chief executive officer Ben Lazzaro said the green and gold kangaroo remains the clearest way for shoppers to identify genuine Australian products that support local jobs and industry.

LOOK FOR THE GREEN AND GOLD KANGAROO

With so many flags, shields, and claims. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to verify if a product is genuinely Australian.

Cut through the confusion by looking for Australia’s only registered country-of-origin certification trademark, the green and gold Kangaroo.

Australian Made chief executive officer Ben Lazzaro said the logo is the most reliable measure for consumers.

“It’s a quick, clear and trustworthy way to know that a product has been made or grown right here in Australia, to some of the highest manufacturing and safety standards in the world,” Mr Lazzaro said.

He said the logo is backed by a third-party accreditation system and compliance auditing program, meaning it can only appear on products that meet strict criteria under Australian Consumer Law and the Australian Made Logo Code of Practice.

Mr Lazzaro said by choosing the yellow and green logo, Australians are giving back.

“Aussie products are made to some of the highest standards in the world. They are trusted and known for their safety and quality,” he said.

“When consumers choose locally made goods, they’re helping to create jobs and stimulate economic activity to support the broader community.”

Australian Made chief executive officer Ben Lazzaro said Aussie products are made to some of the highest standards in the world.

Tips:

Ask where it’s from: Don’t be afraid to ask your retailer or grocer where a product is sourced or manufactured.

Check the packaging: Check bar charts on food labels to see what percentage of ingredients are Australian.

Trust the system: The Australian-made logo is underpinned by a third-party accreditation system and compliance auditing. Use this high-trust mark to direct your spending.

Be wary of claims: “Australian owned” or “designed in Australia” doesn’t mean it’s completely made here.

Investigate small brands: Some small manufacturers may not display the logo because the certification process is a cost incurred to them. If the label is unclear, a quick search for the company’s “About Us” page can confirm if they proudly employ Australians in a local manufacturing facility or if its product is made in Australia.

When you spend money with a local business, the “boomerang dollar effect” kicks in – that revenue stays in the community longer, flowing to local suppliers, sponsorships and wages. Picture: Jonathan Ng

STOP SENDING THE ‘BOOMERANG DOLLAR’ OFFSHORE

The Australian economy is built on the backs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) – businesses with fewer than 200 employees.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, SMEs account for 97 per cent of all businesses and employ about 70 per cent of the national workforce.

Business NSW chief executive officer Daniel Hunter said small businesses are the “lifeblood of our communities”.

“They’re the local cafe that knows your order, the tradie who sponsors the footy club, and the family-run shop that’s been on the high street for decades,” Mr Hunter said.

But Mr Hunter warns, many are struggling.

“They’re doing it tough – rising costs, red tape, and competition from big players are squeezing margins and threatening livelihoods.

“Backing Australia means giving local businesses a fair go,” Mr Hunter said.

When you spend money with a local business, the “boomerang dollar effect” kicks in – that revenue stays in the community longer, flowing to local suppliers, sponsorships and wages.

Business NSW chief executive officer Daniel Hunter said small businesses are the “lifeblood of our communities” but many are struggling. Australia. John Feder/The Australian.

Tips:

Buy local: Choose independent cafes, stores and tradespeople over large chains

Leave a positive Google review: “A good review can be the difference between a quiet week and a busy one,” Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter said.

Shop local online: Shop directly from small business websites, marketplaces, etsy, etc., rather than global marketplaces.

Holiday here and keep money onshore: Swap an overseas trip for a regional getaway – eat, stay and shop local.

Choosing to support local businesses helps local communities. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

STRENGTHEN AUSSIE SKILLS AND SUPPLY CHAINS

Backing Australia isn’t just about buying local, it’s about building the skills and systems that keep us independent.

Over the past two decades, Australia’s domestic manufacturing and logistics training pipeline has shrunk.

According to Business NSW, one in four regional businesses can’t find skilled staff, particularly in engineering, advanced trades and logistics.

The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre’s (AMGC) Managing Director Jens Goennemann warns that we’ve hollowed out vital “mid-tier” supply chain capability – local suppliers that make parts, maintain machines or move goods domestically.

“Resilience is about having the capability to make, repair or reuse things when times are good and more importantly when bad,” Dr Goennemann said.

“Every component, be it a widget or entire product we can make locally reduces supply chain risks, creates quality jobs and allows us to weather any crisis.”

Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre Managing Director Dr Jens Goennemann. Picture: Matthias Engesser/Narrative Post

Tips:

Hire local trades and technicians: Choose Australian-based services for manufacturing, maintenance, or energy installation.

Support apprenticeships: Many SMEs run training programs, choose businesses that invest in skills-building.

Buy from companies with local supply: Look for “Made and Supplied in Australia” or businesses sourcing domestic materials.

Backing Australia also means building skills and systems that keep us independent.. Picture: Jonathan Ng

UNDERSTAND WHAT AUSSIE MANUFACTURING REALLY IS AND ASK FOR IT

When Australians talk about manufacturing, many picture old assembly lines or recall the day General Motors closed shop in Australia.

But the AMGC’s Dr Goennemann said “just because Australia doesn’t produce cars anymore doesn’t mean we’ve stopped making things”.

“We still have world-class manufacturing skills – and in some areas, we’re even global leaders,” he said.

“We just have to get over this myth that just because it doesn’t roll out of a car factory it doesn’t mean it’s not important”.

Dr Goennemann said manufacturing isn’t a single sector – it’s a capability that underpins every industry – from med-tech and defence to clean energy and food production.

Half of manufacturing roles today sit outside of production, in research, design, logistics and marketing, and it’s these jobs where most of the value and innovation comes from.

To grow that scale, Australia needs to do more than dig and ship, we need to design, build and commercialise products here.

Australian Winders specialises in repairs and the manufacture of industrial motor windings. It received a co-investment from the AMGC and the WA Government. Picture: Supplied

Tips:

Learn what’s made here: From batteries to building materials and medical devices

When you buy, ask where it’s made:

Request Australian: If you’re a buyer (school, council, builder) specify “Australian-made” or “Australian content” in tenders.

For big purchases: Support businesses that manufacture locally or source local components.

SCALE THE SMALL GUYS – THE ‘MISSING MIDDLE’

According to the AMGC, Australia has approximately 47,000 manufacturers and more than 90 per cent employ fewer than 20 people.

Dr Goennemann said Australia’s small operators are world-class but struggle to access funding, contracts and the scale they need to grow.

“Australia’s manufacturing industry is highly skewed towards small-sized businesses – in essence we have a missing middle which is stifling our ability to grow the next Big Australian. We have brilliant innovators, but not enough support to help them become medium-sized exporters.”

Dr Goennemann suggested government support needs to be “right-sized – smaller, faster co-investment programs that allow SMEs to scale and thrive, not just survive”.

The AMGC’s own co-investment project demonstrated this: $50 million in taxpayers’ funds generated $1.6 billion in revenue uplift and 4200 jobs, a 25:1 return on investment.

Australia has approximately 47,000 manufacturers and more than 90 per cent employ fewer than 20 people. Picture: iStock

Tips:

Support local start-ups: Many Australian manufacturers sell online – go straight to the source and spread the word about their product

Ask retailers for local options: The more we demand Australian products, the more space on the shelf they’ll get.

Support policies and leaders who back small businesses

Advocate for “right-sized”: Government grants and procurement policies that prioritise small Australian manufacturers.

This article is part of the Back Australia series, which was supported by Australian Made Campaign, Harvey Norman, Westpac, Bunnings, Coles, TechnologyOne, REA Group, Cadbury, R.M.Williams, Qantas, Vodafone and BHP.

Originally published as Five ways to save our economy and back local jobs