Industry 4.0 TestLab for Charles Darwin University

The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have partnered to invest $2 million to establish an Industry 4.0 Testlab at Charles Darwin University.

This will be an advanced apprenticeship training site to boost the north’s advanced manufacturing skills and strengthen Australia’s defence and aerospace research capabilities.

Minister for Education Jason Clare said the Testlab will bring together industry and Charles Darwin University to advance the manufacture of things like remotely piloted aircrafts, drones, and AI-assisted technology.

“This investment will help make sure the Territory has the workforce it needs to keep building a world-class advanced manufacturing industry,” Mr Clare said.

“We want more jobs for Australians who make things and it’s places like this that will train them.”

Under the previous government, 85,000 Australian manufacturing jobs were lost and Australia ranked last out of all OECD countries on manufacturing self-sufficiency.

That’s why the Albanese Government will invest in the jobs of the future through the $1 billion Advanced Manufacturing Fund to create highly skilled and well-paid jobs in industries that make things here.

Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Natasha Fyles, said the CDU Testlab would be a significant boost to Darwin and the Northern Territory, while also creating new educational pathways and skills relevant to defence and aerospace industries.

“The establishment of an Industry 4.0 Testlab at CDU will be an exciting and welcome addition to the Northern Territory, and gives new and exciting opportunities for our students,” Ms Fyles said.

“We are launching rockets from Arnhem land, and building the world’s biggest solar farm in the Barkly. The addition of this new technology is the first of its kind for the NT, and will build upon our advanced manufacturing capacity and strengthen Australia's defence and aerospace research capability in the region.”

The project will be delivered in partnership with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University. The Australian and Northern Territory Governments are investing $1 million each in the project.