Australia seeks industry partners to build Advanced Manufacturing Facility for Newcastle–Sydney high-speed rail

# What's happening Interest process to find industry partners to develop an Advanced Manufacturing Facility (AMF). The AMF is being designed to support the proposed Newcastle–Sydney high-speed rail corridor by producing many of the construction components for the project.

# Why the AMF is proposed The Authority says manufacturing repeatable components in a controlled, hi-tech facility can provide several practical benefits:

• More consistent component quality compared with on-site fabrication.
• Reduced material waste through controlled production processes.
• Safer working conditions by shifting hazardous or repetitive tasks to a factory environment.
• Greater clarity on construction costs and delivery timelines because repeatable parts can be produced to known specifications.

The AMF is also presented as a way to strengthen domestic manufacturing supply chains so skills, technology and production capability developed for the rail project can be applied to other infrastructure and manufacturing work in Australia.

# Location and planning status The Authority has begun a search for suitable land close to the proposed rail corridor where the AMF could be located. The Newcastle–Sydney high-speed rail project itself remains in the Development Phase. The AMF is being developed as part of preparatory work rather than as a commitment to build the rail line. Any final investment decision on the rail project will follow the Development Phase.

# Who the Authority is looking for

# Jobs and skills impact

# How this connects to existing procurement work The Authority is already engaging industry through early contractor involvement (ECI) for other parts of the project. That ECI process includes Australian and international partners such as tunnelling specialists and high-speed train manufacturers. The AMF EOI is intended to build on those engagements so manufacturing planning aligns with the wider delivery approach.

# What this means now The EOI starts the process of identifying commercial partners and possible sites. Because the rail project is still in its Development Phase, the AMF work is preparatory: it will inform later decisions rather than guarantee construction of the high-speed rail line. Industry responses to the EOI can influence the AMF's potential design, technology choices and operating model.

# Practical next steps Interested organisations will respond to the EOI with capability statements and proposals for how they would design, deliver and operate an AMF. The Authority will use those responses alongside site assessments to refine options ahead of any future investment decision on the rail project.