Competitive Advantage
Geelong is one of Australia’s foremost manufacturing centres, with a long and rich industrial history. Manufacturing is once again driving jobs growth, helping position the region among Australia’s strongest employment markets. Home to a range of leading national and international companies, Geelong boasts a diverse and innovative manufacturing sector with many success stories.
The region is ideally positioned for manufacturing growth, whether through new ventures or by leveraging its established industrial, research and education infrastructure. Geelong is well connected by road, rail, sea and air, and is home to Victoria’s second-largest port and an international airport that supports national and international supply chains and logistics.
Recent data released by Informed Decisions (.id) shows that Greater Geelong recorded a record 147,234 local jobs in 2024-25, with average annual growth of 4.3 per cent since 2020. Manufacturing recorded the fastest expansion for the second consecutive year, increasing by 12.1 per cent over the past 12 months to more than 11,400 jobs, a level not seen since before the Alcoa and Ford closures.
The region benefits from a large, highly skilled workforce and convenient access to major markets, including Melbourne, Ballarat and Colac. Manufacturing contributes more than $1.7 billion in value add to the regional economy and generates approximately $5.8 billion in output annually.
Geelong’s reputation as a leading manufacturing centre is based on its many strengths and extensive manufacturing diversity. The region has much to offer, with about 700 manufacturers across industries such as transport equipment, metals, extractive industries, chemicals and petroleum, cement, engineering, textiles, timber and food.
Geelong is also home to important education and research facilities such as:
- Deakin University
- Geelong Technology Precinct
- CSIRO Division of Animal Health
- CSIRO Marine Sciences
- Australian Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre
- Centre for Advanced Design in Engineering Training
- Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation
- Institute for Frontier Materials
- Carbon Nexus
- Gordon Institute of TAFE
These organisations add value to the extensive manufacturing base in the Geelong region and regularly form collaborative partnerships, such as that between the research sector of Deakin University and the Gordon Institute of TAFE and training opportunities within various industry sectors. These collaborative efforts have become increasingly important as industry competes on a global basis.
Become a new member of the Geelong Manufacturing Council and take advantage of the network of manufacturing professionals who promote the region as a dynamic and innovative manufacturing centre of the future.
Economic Profile
With a population of more than 299,000 people (forecast to increase by 140,000 people over the next 20 years), the City of Greater Geelong is Victoria’s largest regional centre. Located some 75 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, the municipality covers 1,248km², comprising country, coastal and suburban areas. The region is characterised by the multi-award winning Waterfront overlooking Corio Bay, the Bellarine Peninsula, the Barwon River, You Yangs Regional Park, wetlands, parklands and wildlife sanctuaries.
Total residential dwellings are estimated at approximately 120,000 across more than 50 suburbs and townships. The city is a major centre for investment, with a highly-skilled labour force of more than 135,000. Geelong is in an ideal position to attract new residents and investment.
The Geelong Manufacturing Council is well-placed to promote the region, both within the area, nationally and internationally. Comprising approximately 100 locally-based manufacturers, stakeholders from government, education and service providers, our members have intricate knowledge of, and support for, the region.