The hidden cost of absenteeism in manufacturing and why it is rising
By Damien Durston, head of people management solutions at OneAdvanced Australia’s manufacturing sector has always operated under pressure. Tight margins, complex supply chains and rising input costs are part of the landscape. But a quieter issue is now undermining productivity across the industry: absenteeism. Unplanned leave has traditionally been treated […]
Dr Gabrielle M Caswell of SpacePort Australia Pty Ltd, a finalist in seven out of 30 Australian Space Awards, 2026
Dr Gabrielle M Caswell of SpacePort Australia Pty Ltd, has been named a finalist in seven out of 30 Australian Space Awards, 2026. Dr Caswell has confirmed her acceptance of the award nominations, she was a finalist in the 2025 (5) and 2024 (3)awards. Dr Caswell says, “It’s an exciting […]
Battery-free sensors close to reality with breakthrough in solar manufacturing
Sensors underpin modern life, but many still rely on disposable batteries which are contributing to a growing waste problem. With lithium-ion battery waste in Australia projected to exceed 100,000 tonnes by 2036, and hundreds of millions of household batteries discarded each year – many used in low-power indoor sensors and […]
Leading agri-manufacturer deploys automated solution to build best practices
DLG confidently expects Fiix® CMMS technology to pay for itself within its first year by achieving a 10 per cent improvement in uptime and maintenance efficiency Australasian primary producers and processors with diverse and far-flung operations may take a leaf from the book of technology benefits earned by their counterpart […]
Existing tax system would deliver $80 billion more tax from higher oil price, report finds
Australia’s oil and gas industry would deliver almost $160 billion in taxes and royalties to governments over the next five years if high international prices persist under existing tax settings, new independent analysis by Wood Mackenzie shows. This represents around $80 billion more than under typical long-term price assumptions equating […]
AI-driven workflow targets next-generation semiconductor materials
Researchers at UNSW have developed an artificial intelligence–assisted workflow that replaces slow, iterative materials discovery with a targeted, data-driven approach. Designing advanced materials remains largely trial and error. Small molecular changes can radically alter performance, but with millions of possible combinations, identifying viable candidates is a major bottleneck. Hybrid perovskites are […]
Mapei invests $60 million on new Melbourne plant to support Australia’s growing construction industry
Mapei, a global leader in chemical solutions for the building industry, has officially commenced construction on its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Truganina, Melbourne. “Mapei has been actively present in the Australian construction industry for more than 30 years and expanding our footprint into Melbourne marks an important milestone for the business. […]
ROKLive 2026 returns to Adelaide to explore the future of industrial automation
The South Pacific’s largest event dedicated to industrial automation ROKLive 2026 will build on the success of ROKLive 2025 (pictured) on the Gold Coast, which saw more than 900 problem solvers come together for keynotes, training, networking and a showcase of the latest industrial automation technologies Rockwell Automation, a global […]
Ancient tectonic processes the key to locating rare minerals essential for modern technologies
New research from Adelaide University has revealed that geological processes dating back billions of years are critical to locating the rare earth elements needed for modern technologies and the global clean energy transition. Published today in Science Advances, the study shows a strong global link between ancient subduction zones – […]
Faster approvals critical to realising Queensland’s Taroom Trough opportunity
The Queensland Government’s welcome plan to unlock the Taroom Trough represents a significant opportunity to strengthen Australia’s fuel security and economic resilience. Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said the Taroom Trough has long been recognised by industry as a highly prospective basin with the potential to play a […]
Ipswich primed to be Queensland’s manufacturing and defence capital
Ipswich is positioned to be the manufacturing and defence capital of Queensland with an 8,000-hectare future supply of industrial land. With the largest area of land earmarked as developable for commercial and industrial purposes than any other city in South East Queensland, Ipswich City Council has outlined its competitive advantages […]
Climate disclosures: what manufacturers need to focus on now
Martin Fryer, Head of Strategy and Disclosures, thinkstep-anz Climate risk is now a financial reporting issue. The Australian Sustainability Reporting Standard (AASB) S2 Climate-related Disclosures asks organisations to explain how climate-related risks and opportunities could affect their business performance and future plans. For manufacturers in Group 2 and 3, this […]
The hidden cost of absenteeism in manufacturing and why it is rising
By Damien Durston, head of people management solutions at OneAdvanced Australia’s manufacturing sector has always operated under pressure. Tight margins, complex supply chains and rising input costs are part of the landscape. But a quieter issue is now undermining productivity across the industry: absenteeism. Unplanned leave has traditionally been treated as a routine operational challenge. Today, it is seen as something more serious. Employee absenteeism is a major issue for Australian manufacturers, impacting workplace productivity and employee well-being. To maintain business continuity and support their workforce, employers need to analyse absenteeism patterns and implement effective strategies. Absenteeism reflects deeper structural pressures linked to workforce fatigue, an ageing employee base and growing compliance complexity. Together, these forces are amplifying the impact of absenteeism and making it harder for manufacturers to maintain consistent output. The average absenteeism rate in Australian manufacturing is approximately 9-10 days per employee per year, according to The Australian Industry Group. The productivity drain hiding in plain sight Absenteeism has an immediate effect on manufacturing performance. When a skilled operator is absent, production lines can slow, schedules shift and quality may be affected. In specialised environments, replacements are not always readily available, particularly where certifications or machine-specific expertise are required. Supervisors are forced into reactive decisions, adjusting rosters and reallocating tasks at short notice. Overtime costs rise as remaining workers fill the gaps. In some cases, production targets are missed altogether, leading to delays and strained customer relationships. There is also a compounding effect. As absenteeism increases, the workload on present employees grows. This can drive further fatigue and additional absences, creating a cycle that is difficult to break. Workforce fatigue is reaching a tipping point Workforce fatigue is one of the most significant contributors to rising absenteeism. Shift work, long hours and physically demanding roles have always been […]