The NSW Government, in partnership with leaders from the NSW fashion industry, has today released the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, the first of its kind in Australia.

NSW designers are the heart of Australia’s multi-billion-dollar fashion industry, with $7.2 billion export revenue generated annually. Nationally, this represents 1.7 per cent of all Australian exports. 

In NSW, the fashion industry contributes $9.7b to the state economy and employs more than 174,000 people.

The industry has one of the highest rates of female employment. Nationally, 77 per cent the 489,000 workforce is female.

Fashion is one of Australia’s leading creative industries, showcasing diverse and emerging talent, and First Nations initiatives that are pivotal for inclusivity, cultural recognition and international distinctiveness. 

The NSW Fashion Sector Strategy sets out a plan to develop the industry in NSW, to grow international profile and markets, and establish pathways for new designers.

Initiatives include:

• Australian Fashion Hub: The NSW Government, the University of Technology and City of Sydney will partner with the sector to develop a new hub, providing spaces for emerging and established industry participants to collaborate, and forge connections.

• Australian Fashion Smart Factory: The NSW Government will support a feasibility study for an Australian-first pilot to combine testing and development, production and distribution.

• The NSW Government will work with industry, and other government partners to develop this proposal to support the progress of further manufacturing in Australia. 

• Establishing export pathways: A new program will provide emerging NSW designers with opportunities to showcase their designs internationally. These showrooms will promote NSW designers and brands strengthening relationships with international buyers and support NSW designers to develop an international profile and new market opportunities. 

• Skills and training review: TAFE NSW and the University of Technology will lead a strategic skills review to help industry and government assess current skills and future needs.

• TAFE NSW and Create NSW will partner to develop the Next Gen Creative Industries Hub at the TAFE NSW Ultimo campus on Harris Street as part of the broader Ultimo Creative Industries Precinct.

• Australian Fashion Week: will continue to be a top tier Sydney event on the global fashion calendar, attracting domestic and international buyers, showcasing NSW internationally.

• Connecting Audiences to Australian Fashion: The Powerhouse Museum will lead the state’s Cultural Institutions to support, amplify and connect audiences with the creativity of the NSW fashion industry.

The strategy has three key funding programs to support and develop emerging talent:

• $250,000 to support emerging designers to develop export markets by showcasing their designs at the largest international industry trade show. This initiative will help NSW designers build profile with key international media and buyers, supporting the growth of their businesses in NSW.

• $300,000 to support NSW First Nation and emerging fashion and designers show at Australian Fashion Week

• $200,000 in quick response grants – supporting designers to purchase critical equipment for their practice or pursue professional development opportunities. 

The full strategy is available here: NSW Fashion Sector Strategy 2025-2028 | NSW Government.

Minister for the Arts, John Graham said, “NSW, and particularly Sydney, has long led the way for the Australian fashion industry. Generations of ground-breaking Sydney designers are not just Australian success stories but are consistently highly sought after internationally by global taste makers and wider retail markets.

“Beyond the glamour of fashion, it's a complex sector that employs 77 per cent women and represents 1.7 per cent of all Australian exports.

“Despite the cultural and economic impact of the sector, this is the first time a government has developed a strategy recognising its importance and planning for growth.”

Minister for Tourism and Jobs, Steve Kamper said, “The fashion industry is a complex ecosystem of design, textile, manufacturing, retail, and education and training – generating 174,000 jobs in NSW.

“Sydney has always been the home of Australian Fashion Week, and I’m pleased it will continue to be. It’s a natural fit – Sydney is the home of fashion, and our stunning city provides a beautiful backdrop for our world-class designers. 

“Australian Fashion Week puts Sydney on the map with international taste-makers and influencers, and showcases our talents as well as our good looks. Sydney has never looked as sharp as it does during fashion week!” 

Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said, “Sectors like fashion put us on a global map and reinforce NSW as a great exporter of innovation and creativity.

“I’m excited we can support our innovation ecosystem and local manufacturers through contributing to a feasibility study for the Australian Fashion Smart Factory. This consolidated manufacturing hub capable of testing, production, development and distribution has the potential to be the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

“It’s no accident that Australia’s leading creative and tech sectors are concentrated so close to each other in Sydney. I’m excited to see further collaboration between our innovation ecosystem and creative industries as we develop our Tech Central Economic Development Strategy.”

Co-Chairs, Alex Schuman and Edwina McCann said, “The fashion industry in NSW is not only a major economic driver but also a cultural force that showcases our state’s creativity and global influence.

“This strategy addresses critical areas within the business of fashion, including innovation, sustainability, workforce development and market access. It is designed to foster a vibrant, globally competitive fashion industry in New South Wales, while ensuring that local businesses and creatives succeed in a rapidly evolving landscape.”

Vice Chancellor of UTS, Professor Andrew Parfitt said, “The NSW Fashion Sector Strategy strengthens the next stage of UTS’s collaboration with TAFE NSW, Australian Fashion Council and the Powerhouse Museum to support and grow the creative industries precinct in Sydney’s southern CBD. 

“It builds on the establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion and Textiles with TAFE NSW in 2021 and a partnership with the Powerhouse aimed at creating a dynamic, place-based creative industries ecosystem to expand the profile of Australian fashion, textiles, and design on the national and global stage.

“Our support of the NSW Fashion Hub and the Australian Fashion Smart Factory reinforces our strong commitment to developing our precinct as a destination for innovation across disciplines.