When people think of Australia, many things come to mind: the Outback, unique wildlife, stunning landscapes, and surfing, among others. Additive manufacturing can now be added to that list. The 3D printing sector has rapidly grown in Australia over the past few years and, while it still trails giants like the United States and China, the future of AM in the country certainly looks bright.
To better understand the current state of 3D printing in Australia, we decided to sit down with two people with unique perspectives on its growth. Gönül Serbest is the Commissioner for Victoria to Europe, the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa, currently based in Paris. She works to support Victorian businesses and help them to expand internationally, particularly in areas like advanced manufacturing. Dr. Yang Tian and Professor Aijun Huang, meanwhile, are respectively the center manager and director of the Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing (MCAM).
Tom Jarvis at MCAM with one of the institutes solutions (photo credits: MCAM)
We spoke to them about the current development of 3D printing in Australia, notable applications for AM coming from the country, obstacles that still need to be overcome and the future outlook. See what they had to say!
The State of 3D Printing in Australia
So what exactly is the state of 3D printing in Australia? Let’s take a look at the numbers first. Expert Market Research estimated that the Australia 3D market was valued at AUD 692.45 million in 2024 (around USD 447.39 million) and projects a compound annual growth of 18.7%. This means that the market could reach AUD 3.85 billion by 2034 if it continues on this track.
Dr. Tian noted as well that the pandemic played a significant role in this growth, explaining, “The AM sector in Australia has seen significant growth, particularly in response to vulnerabilities in traditional supply chains highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
It has also been driven by ther factors. First, we have seen a growing number of big names coming from the country, especially in Victoria, which Serbest attributes to the State’s place a leader in research as the “knowledge state.” She further explains, “Victoria is home to some of Australia’s most innovative 3D printing companies, such as SPEE3D, Titomic, Conflux Technology and Additive Assurance. These companies are pioneering metal additive manufacturing, cold spray technologies, and quality assurance solutions that are being adopted globally.”
Indeed, Cold Spray AM has experienced a renaissance in the country, thanks in no small part to leaders like SPEE3D and Titomic. These two companies have made quite the name for themselves, not only locally but also globally. For example, SPEE3D’s solutions are being adopted in sectors in the United States, Japan and the UK, among others. This is particularly relevant for the defense sector. Titomic is also present in both the USA and Europe.
Cold Spray AM, including technologies from SPEE3D (pictured) and Titomic, are prominent in Australian 3D printing (photo credits: SPEE3D)
And cold spray 3D printing is not the only technology that can be found in Australia, even if it is a prominent one. Serbest confirms, “Australia has expertise across a wide range of additive manufacturing technologies, including metal 3D printing, cold spray deposition, and polymer-based processes.”
However, despite the relatively mature presence of additive manufacturing companies in Australia, the rise in 3D printing cannot just be attributed to that. Indeed, a thriving research hub and government support also have a significant role to play.
Both the national and regional governments in Australia have been committed to helping develop additive manufacturing in the region, often closely tied with research and business efforts. For example, the Commonwealth Government recently committed $58 million towards the establishment of the Additive Manufacturing Cooperation Research Centre (AMCRC). This industry-led collaborative research funding organization is expected to be focused on advancing Australia’s AM sector and is a $271 million initiative to reshape Australia’s manufacturing sector.
Furthermore, the incredible growth of additive manufacturing in Australia was well illustrated last year when it was a partner country for Formnext 2024. Serbest explains, “Being the Partner Country at Formnext 2024 was a major milestone, showcasing Australian capabilities on the global stage. Global Victoria had a dedicated stand featuring 12 Victorian companies and universities, highlighting our cutting-edge research and industry expertise. This marked the second year in a row that Victoria participated in Formnext, reinforcing our commitment to the global additive manufacturing sector. Victoria will again be present at this year’s edition of Formnext in November 2025, continuing to support our companies in building international partnerships and expanding their reach.”
MCAM is a leading research center for additive manufacturing in Australia (photo credits: MCAM)
In terms of research, Victoria especially has a strong concentration of major universities which are increasingly using 3D printing. The Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing (MCAM) for example has a range of metal 3D printers and equipment, including the largest metal 3D printer in Australia. An ISO9001 accredited research platform, MCAM has everything needed to provide research services and expertise, including both powder bed and deposition 3D printers and tools for post and pre-printing needs.
Notable 3D Printing Applications
So now we know what the current state of 3D printing is in Australia. But how is it being used? Well, if Serbest and Dr. Tian are to be believed, in many different ways!
Serbest notes, “The most significant adoption has been in sectors like aerospace, defence, medical devices, and renewable energy. Companies are leveraging additive manufacturing to create lightweight components, repair critical infrastructure, and develop patient-specific medical implants. Victoria’s strong industrial base and research ecosystem have been key to accelerating the adoption of these technologies.” This is a trend that has been confirmed with news coming out of the nation. Defense in particular is one area where Australia has shown its expertise thanks to major players like SPEE3D.
Furthermore, the state of Victoria is not the only one investing in 3D printing, however. New South Wales, which borders Victoria to the south, announced in August 2024 that the Minns Labor Government would be pursuing the use of 3D printing to address the housing and homelessness crisis. Noting the benefits of 3D printing in terms of cost and time reduction, the latter of particular importance as construction can be completed within 16 weeks as compared to the 40 required with traditional benefits, the government wishes to use 3D technologies to build social housing.
The planned 3D printing housing project in Australia (photo credits: Contour3D)
Academia is also an area where important applications for 3D printing can be found. According to Dr. Tian, for example, MCAM is involved in a number of high –impact AM projects in aerospace, healthcare, railway, energy, support-less 3D printing, next generation alloys and qualification pathways. The latter three in particular show the importance of Australia’s strong academic tradition.
These kinds of research applications are key to advancing 3D printing not only in Australia but around the world. For example, establishing qualification procedures for AM part in regulated industries like aerospace and healthcare will help ensure reliability and safety while new titanium and nickel-based alloys optimized for AM processes will allow for superior mechanical properties in many sectors.
Among the projects mentioned, Dr. Tian also mentions that MCAM is working on the development of flight-certified AM parts, AM TiTA implants, AI-assisted topology optimization for implants, on-demand AM for obsolete parts in trains, 3D printed hydrogen-powered land-based turbine combustion engine, components for carbon capture and biomass pyrolysis and rockets, among others. An array that shows the true potential for additive manufacturing in Australia as well as the maturity of 3D printing and its ability to be used for end-use parts in many industries.
Obstacles to Overcome
Still, even if we have seen incredible growth in 3D printing in Australia. That does not mean that there are not still obstacles to overcome.
Dr. Tian confirmed “Despite substantial R&D investments, Australia’s AM industry lags behind global leaders like the U.S., Germany, and China, generating only 10-20% of their revenue. The source of Australia’s weak performance stems from a combination of several factors: poor industry knowledge of AM technologies, the lack of AM qualification procedures and uncertainty about AM reliability.”
Parts made by MCAM. The research institution is leading the way in advancing 3D printing in Australia
Thankfully, academia and institutions like MCAM are the perfect solution. Dr. Tian notes that already Monash has played a major role in advancing AM through research, industry collaboration and commercialization efforts. Their work along with others like Deakin University, RMIT, the University of Sydney and the University of Wollongong have significantly contributed to growth and development of AM in Australia.
Dr. Tian points in particular to solutions like partnering with companies to develop tailored AM solutions, creating standardized pathways for AM part qualification, offering industry-focused PhD program and internships and innovative new processes for cost reduction as the way forward in Australia. All areas where research institutions and government bodies will continue to play a major role.
The Future of 3D Printing in Australia?
So where exactly will Australia go from here? It goes without saying that continued growth is to be expected. Although Australia is still far from AM powerhouses like the US and China, the country is quickly establishing itself as a major player.
Dr. Tian confirms, “The future of AM in Australia looks promising, with increasing government and industry support. As AM technologies become more cost-effective and relatable, their adoption is expected to increase, particularly among SMEs. Key trends include: expansion into critical sectors such as defense, space and biomedical industries; development of cost-effective AM technologies to reduce barriers to entry; growth in hybrid and mobile AM solutions, allowing for flexible, on-demand manufacturing; and strong industry-academia collaborations, ensuring that research translates into commercial applications.”
Moreover, the use of AM can help grow other sectors in Australia as well. Dr. Tian explains, “Additive manufacturing has the potential to revolutionize Australia’s manufacturing sector, making it more resilient, flexible, and competitive on a global scale. With continued investment in research, collaboration, and education, Australia can position itself as a leader in advanced manufacturing, leveraging AM to create innovative products and solutions that meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.”
The Australian army uses 3D printing for automotive applications among other things
This is a position that is shared by the government, especially that of Victoria. Serbest concludes, “The future of additive manufacturing in Australia is bright, with ongoing advancements in automation, artificial intelligence, and sustainable materials set to keep growing the industry. As companies continue to integrate additive manufacturing into mainstream production, we expect to see increased adoption in infrastructure, energy, and space technologies. Victoria will remain at the forefront, fostering collaboration between industry and research institutions to drive new breakthroughs and global competitiveness.”
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