The Australian aluminium industry is an integrated industry with bauxite mining, smelting, casting and semi-fabrication facilities located across Australia.

The industry directly employs more than 16,000 people, mainly in regional areas. In 2000-2001 the industry generated more than $9billion in export earnings and was, as a whole, Australia's fifth largest export industry, just behind coal.

Australia has more than 30% of the world’s bauxite reserves, is the world’s largest producer of Alumina, the world's fifth largest aluminium producer, and the world’s third largest aluminium exporter behind Canada and the United States.

By international standards, the Australian aluminium industry is very efficient and its smelters are among the most economically viable in the world.

If you would like to know more information about the Australian Aluminium industry, please refer to the Australian Aluminium Council's website by clicking here.

Some end uses of aluminium

Aluminium production is highly beneficial to consumers, providing strong but lightweight commodities for use in building and construction, transport, consumer durables, packaging, electrical, machinery and equipment.

In the building and construction industry:

• door and window frames
• wall cladding, roofing, awnings.

In the manufacture of electrical products:

• high tension power lines, wires, cables, bus bars
• components for television, radios, refrigerators and air-conditioners .

In packaging and containers:

• beverage cans, bottle tops
• foil wrap, foil semi-rigid containers.

In cooking utensils:

• kettles and saucepans.

In the aeronautical, aviation and automotive industries:

• propellers
• aeroplane and vehicle body sheet
• gearboxes, motor parts.

In leisure goods:

• tennis racquets, softball bats
• indoor and outdoor furniture.