During the early days of planning my business, BUSHY, I found myself drawn to the enigma of the Australian garment manufacturing industry. It seemed as though no one really talked about it anymore. When they did, it felt like reminiscing about a distant relative who had passed away decades ago.

"Ah yes, they were wealthy, always busy, and then—poof! Gone overnight!"

But how could a vibrant cultural industry employing thousands simply vanish? This wasn’t the fall of the Maya or the Khmer empires. We didn’t stumble upon ancient carvings hinting at lost civilizations. The answers weren’t buried; they were here, waiting to be uncovered.

So, I started digging.

What I found confirmed my suspicions: the industry hadn’t disappeared entirely. Many people, families, and businesses were still involved—some smaller than they once were, others reinventing themselves to adapt to an ever-evolving market. Beneath it all lay something extraordinary: knowledge.

From technical fabric production to design-led patternmaking and the fine motor skills of machinists, the industry embodies an intricate, interconnected web of expertise. It’s a legacy that can’t simply be outsourced or forgotten.

What should we do with this knowledge? Should it become part of our national identity, a testament to a young country with deep manufacturing roots? Or do we dismiss it, like an embarrassing teenage phase, and focus entirely on a service-based future?

Garment manufacturing has always thrived on accessible, low-cost labor—a linchpin of the global capitalist economy. Countries like Ethiopia illustrate this dynamic, where rural populations migrate to cities in search of opportunity, fueling industrial manufacturing hubs.

But what happens when labor is no longer cheap? In Australia, this question feels like old news—yet perception isn’t always reality. While local labor costs are higher than overseas alternatives, running a viable manufacturing business here is still entirely possible.

Enter automation and AI.

Automation is poised to revolutionize garment manufacturing. Faster, more efficient, and less prone to error, robotics and AI promise to eliminate the inefficiencies of human labor: no lunch breaks, no superannuation, and no fatigue. They pave the way for on-demand manufacturing, minimizing waste, optimizing material usage, and reshaping supply chains into streamlined, digitally integrated systems.

Companies like Zara and H&M are already leading the charge. Zara’s “Just-In-telligent” supply chain has reduced production cycles from an industry-standard six months to just one week. If that sounds like supervillain-level efficiency, you’re not wrong.

But this raises a pivotal question: Will automation enhance ethical supply chains, or will it simply serve to deepen hyper-consumption?

Despite the hype, robots aren’t about to take over garment manufacturing entirely. Instead, emerging technologies are likely to complement human labor, not replace it. AI, robotics, and 3D knitting machines are already reducing time, increasing efficiency, and enhancing quality.

Take companies like Kniterate and Shima Seiki—they’re pioneering 3D knitting machines that significantly reduce the labor-intensive nature of traditional knitting practices.

So, when will robots start making all our clothes? Not anytime soon.

Humans remain indispensable, driving design, innovation, and optimization. Automation will play a supportive role, improving global supply chains by cutting waste and boosting efficiency. The real challenge lies in how we harness this technology—whether for ethical, sustainable supply chains or perpetuating exploitative systems.

In Australia, the future lies in blending emerging technologies with our legacy labor force. As the industry’s veterans age, their knowledge must be either passed down or integrated with new innovations. This is our moment to relocalise garment manufacturing and position ourselves as global leaders—a model for how technology and human labor can work hand-in-hand.

Yes, garments can still be made in Australia. And yes, we have the tools to lead the world in doing so ethically and sustainably.

Thanks for sticking with this ramble. Every week, we dive into topics that intersect the environment, business, and society—always with actionable solutions in mind.

Until next time,
Monty