Line Zero – Factory of the Future - Innovation Central Adelaide

Client:

Australian manufacturers

Location:

Tonsley Innovation District, South Australia

Partners:

South Australian Government, Cisco, BAE Systems Maritime Australia, ASC Shipbuilding, Innovative Manufacturing CRC, Innovation Central Adelaide (ICA)

Focus Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing, Defence, Workforce Development, Industry 4.0 and 5.0, Sovereign Capability

The Opportunity

Australia’s manufacturing sector is undergoing significant transformation. With the $46 billion Hunter Class Future Frigate program underway, and Industry 4.0 technologies reshaping global supply chains, Flinders University established Line Zero, the Factory of the Future, to accelerate innovation, workforce development, and sovereign capability.

Located at the former Mitsubishi site in Tonsley, Line Zero has become a national testbed for advanced manufacturing. It brings together industry, government, and academia to trial emerging technologies, support digital shipbuilding, and foster cross-sector innovation. ICA plays a key role in amplifying Line Zero’s visibility and connecting partners across the National Industry Innovation Network (NIIN).

The Approach

Line Zero operates as a cyber-physical environment where manufacturers can prototype and refine technologies before full-scale deployment. The initiative is structured around several core components:

Collaborative Governance: Led by Flinders University, with support from Cisco, BAE Systems, ASC Shipbuilding, and ICA, Line Zero uses a multi-tiered governance model to coordinate leadership, operations, and stakeholder engagement.
Integrated Ecosystem: The facility is closely linked with ICA, Flinders research centres, and NIIN, enabling cross-sector collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Applied Research: Projects focus on human-centred design, digital twins, robotics, and augmented reality, supporting applications in defence, healthcare, and clean energy

Strategic Expansion

In 2024, Line Zero entered a new phase with a proposed $67 million expansion to increase its capacity and impact. The plan includes:

Collaborating with more than 250 companies on research and technology trials
Training thousands of workers in robotics, automation, and digital manufacturing
Integrating immersive technologies such as augmented and virtual reality
Strengthening Australia’s defence readiness and industrial resilience

ICA continues to support this growth by shaping communications, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and aligning Line Zero’s messaging with national priorities in innovation and sovereign capability.

The Impact

Digital Shipbuilding: Line Zero supports the Hunter Class Future Frigate program by helping de-risk technologies and improve productivity at Osborne Naval Shipyard.
Workforce Development: Students and professionals gain hands-on experience through micro-credentials, training programs, and industry-led projects.
Economic Growth: The initiative attracts investment, expands SME capability, and positions South Australia as a hub for advanced manufacturing.
Global Collaboration: Partnerships with the UK’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and the University of Strathclyde embed international best practices into local operations.

Looking Ahead

Line Zero is more than a facility. It represents a strategic model for Australia’s industrial future. With ICA’s continued involvement, the initiative is evolving into a collaborative space where ideas move quickly from concept to implementation. As the expansion progresses, Line Zero will play a central role in shaping the next generation of manufacturing, defence capability, and workforce innovation.

Line Zero – Factory of the Future