The Australian Steel Institute (ASI) has expressed “extreme disappointment” in an interim report by the Productivity Commission (PC) concluding that an increase in imports was not significant enough to show serious injury and warrant protections across the domestic fabricated structural steel industry.
The PC’s interim report “found some firms are under pressure, but industry-wide data shows growth in key indicators such as sales and profits over the investigation period, albeit with a weakening in employment in later years”. ASI will be making a final submission to provide evidence in support of its original application seeking protection for the local industry.
ASI chief executive Mark Cain said the ASI was meeting with the PC Commissioners to clarify aspects of the report and will make fuller comments after then.
“We are working through the detail of the report to understand the reasoning behind the decision; and will make a final submission to provide evidence in support of the application.”
ASI will shortly provide its 7,000 members with detailed guidance on the post-interim report submission process and how to participate. In the meantime, the full interim report is available on the PC’s inquiry page.
As part of its ongoing comprehensive advocacy campaign on behalf of the local industry, the ASI conducted two fabricator surveys in July 2024 and a similar but updated survey run in August 2026 asking Australian structural steel fabricators about the impact of imported fabricated steelwork on their businesses.
Far from abating, pressure on local fabricators has intensified on almost every measure, as follows:
- Every comparable impact category — reduced margins, inability to win work, higher quoting costs, smaller/less attractive jobs, and restructuring — increased in prevalence between 2024 and 2026.
- Reported price undercutting by imports widened, from a mean of 27.9% in 2024 to 36.8% in 2026.
- The 2026 survey asked a new, direct question on business survival: only 43% of respondents expect to still be operating in 12 months without relief such as the proposed Safeguard tariff/quota — 42% are unsure and 13% said no.
- The 2026 survey also captured contemplated workforce actions: 58% are considering an overtime ban, 50% reduced staff hours, 50% removing casual/indirect staff, and 40% a hiring freeze and 40% not taking on apprentices.
About the Australian Steel Institute
The Australian Steel Institute (ASI) is the peak body representing Australia’s steel industry, including manufacturers, distributors, fabricators and allied industries. The ASI advocates for policies that support a competitive, sustainable and sovereign Australian steel industry. The ASI represents 7,000 members and 700 companies nationally.
For more information on this press release or to interview ASI chief executive Mark Cain, please contact ASI marketing and communications manager Steven Andrew on 0473 480 964 or [email protected].
