Australian Industry Group
| Predecessor | Metal Trades Industry Association of Australia Australian Chamber of Manufactures |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1 July 1998 |
| Type | Employers' organisation |
| Headquarters | Sydney, New South Wales |
Region served | Australia |
Chief Executive | Innes Willox |
| Website | www |
Australian Industry Group is an Australian employers'
organisation representing businesses in manufacturing, construction, engineering,
defence, transport, information technology and a range of service industries. It is
registered as an organisation of employers with the Fair Work Commission.[1]
The organisation traces its origins to the Iron Trades Employers' Association, formed in Sydney in December 1873 following a general strike in the iron trades over the eight-hour day.[2] It took its present form in July 1998, when the Metal Trades Industry Association of Australia merged with the Australian Chamber of Manufactures.[2][3] The organisation used the shortened name Ai Group for much of the following two decades before reverting to its full name in 2025.[4]
Innes Willox has been chief executive since 2012.[5][6]
History
Iron and metal trades associations
The Iron Trades Employers' Association was established in Sydney in December 1873 after a general strike in the iron trades over the eight-hour day. The association registered under the New South Wales Industrial Arbitration Act in 1901 and changed its name to the Metal Trades Employers' Association in 1921.[2]
In April 1970 the Metal Trades Employers' Association merged with the Metal Industries Association (Victoria) to form the Metal Trades Industry Association of Australia (MTIA), a national body.[2]
Australian Chamber of Manufactures
The Australian Chamber of Manufactures (ACM) originated in the Manufacturers and Exhibitors Association, formed in Melbourne in 1877. The body later became the Victorian Chamber of Manufactures, and adopted the name Australian Chamber of Manufactures in February 1985.[7]
Formation and later development
MTIA and ACM merged in July 1998 to form Australian Industry Group. The merger was led by MTIA chief executive Bob Herbert, who became the new organisation's first chief executive.[3][2]
The organisation amalgamated with the Engineering Employers Association South Australia on 1 July 2009.[7]
In 2025 the organisation discontinued the abbreviated form of its name, Ai Group, and returned to using Australian Industry Group in full, citing potential confusion with the abbreviation for artificial intelligence.[4]
Governance
Australian Industry Group is registered as an organisation of employers under Australian workplace relations law. Management of the organisation is vested in a National Executive of seven National Officers elected by and from the membership, who in turn elect the office-bearers: the National President, Deputy National President and National Secretary-Treasurer. The organisation has no branches, and elections for all offices are held every three years.[1]
Chief executives
- Bob Herbert, 1998-2004[3][8]
- Heather Ridout, 2004-2012[8][9]
- Innes Willox, 2012-present[5][6]
Activities
Member services
The organisation provides advice and representation to member businesses in workplace relations, work health and safety, workers' compensation, employment law, international trade, and environment and energy policy. It operates a legal practice and delivers vocational training and apprenticeship services through Australian Industry Group Training Services.[10]
Australian Industry Group states that it represents more than 60,000 businesses.[10] An earlier figure recorded by the [[Australian Competition & Consumer Commission]] described members as employing more than 750,000 people.[11]
Economic indices
The organisation publishes a monthly index of industry activity covering manufacturing, construction, and technical and business services. The index is reported by financial news services as an indicator of Australian industrial conditions.[12]
Policy advocacy
Australian Industry Group makes submissions and public comment on workplace relations, the minimum wage, skills and training, energy and climate policy, taxation, trade and defence industry policy. Its chief executive is a frequent commentator in Australian media on these subjects.[6]
Affiliated bodies
The organisation operates the Australian Industry Group Defence Council and manages the Australian Constructors Association. It maintains links with overseas employer organisations including the Confederation of Indian Industry, the National Association of Manufacturers in the United States, the Confederation of British Industry and Business New Zealand.[10]
References
- 1 2 "Australian Industry Group, The (AIG)". Fair Work Commission. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Metal Trades Employers' Association". Noel Butlin Archives Centre. Australian National University. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Herbert made ARA chairman". Rail Express. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- 1 2 "New look and feel for Australian Industry Group". Australian Industry Group. 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- 1 2 "How Heather Ridout built her surprising influence". Australian Financial Review. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 Willox, Innes (2026). "Industry outlook for 2026". Manufacturers' Monthly. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Celebrating 150 years of supporting Australian industry". Australian Industry Group. 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Ridout to succeed retiring AIG head". ABC News. 12 August 2003. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Heather Ridout AO". Sims Metal Management. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "About Australian Industry Group". Australian Industry Group. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ "Australian Industry Group". Australian Competition & Consumer Commission. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
- ↑ "Australian Industry Index". Australian Industry Group. 5 August 2026. Retrieved 25 August 2026.