About Us

The aim of the Industry Capability Network is to promote Australian and New Zealand industry through import replacement and opportunities for participation in Major Projects, Government Procurement and Commercial Developments. The ICN performs a technical role providing purchasers with a free sourcing service to identify Australian/NZ manufacturers capable of supplying those items that would otherwise be imported.

To achieve this aim, the ICN has a comprehensive database of Australian/NZ industry capability. To register your companys capability click on "Supplier Registration" from the navigation menu or click here

ICN was established in 1993 and is supported by the Tasmanian Government through the Department of Economic Development Tourism and Arts.   ICN is part of a National network of independently owned and operated offices in each State/Territory and New Zealand. If your company is registered on the ICN database, the details are available to the rest of the ICN National Network. All information is treated in strict confidence and will only be used to seek business opportunities, it will not be passed on to any other party without the expressed permission of the company.

The ICN consultants have a comprehensive knowledge of national industrial capability, right down to the lowest tier of manufacturing. Contact the ICN to ensure that your company is registered, click on the Supplier Registration link on the left.
ICN adopts a positive role by contacting all sectors of the procurement chain including architects, project managers and engineers, to ensure that they are aware of local capability and encourages them to provide Australian industry with a full and fair opportunity to bid for the work. Buyers can also register online by providing details of goods and services currently being imported. Our consultants will then endeavour to seek suitable Tasmanian/Australian/NZ companies with the necessary capability. Buyers can register by clicking the Buyers Registration link on the left.
Although the ICN is primarily concerned with import replacement matters its work often generates opportunities for Australian industry in overseas projects.

Many companies seek overseas suppliers in the belief that the products they require are either too expensive, inferior quality or that technology is unavailable from Australian manufacturers. Through its expert staff and its extensive database of Australian/NZ production capabilities, ICN has time and time again identified companies with the required capability and ability to meet the purchasers requirements of price, delivery, quality, and technical requirements. ICN is a most cost-effective organisation and, arguably, is Australias most successful job creation program.

How Does The Icn Work?

How does the ICN work? The ICN responds to purchasers enquiries and actively consults with the government, project developers and managers to locate suitable producers capable of supplying those items currently being imported.
ICN identifies possible manufacturers and service organisations, evaluates their capacity to meet the requirements, and nominates suitable, competitive suppliers to the purchaser.
ICN operates within the purchasers time constraints and enquiries are handled in strictest confidence. The right of the purchaser to determine the supplier is maintained at all times.

In Response To Your Enquiry, The ICN Will: 

• Search for competitive local producers.
• Evaluate capability to meet production requirements.
• Work with organisations to enhance their receptivity to local producers.
• Provide information on procurement opportunities while maintaining confidentiality.
• Assist suppliers to interpret the quality and technical requirements in the acquisition process.
• Encourage the use of licensing agreements for technology not locally available.
• Advise on opportunities for new or increased production.

ICN Services

Free Services include:

• General Import Replacement Enquiries
• Local Sourcing for Major Project Enquiries
• Government Procurement  

Industry Capability Network Limited

ICNL is the national coordinator of the Industry Capability Network, (formerly known as the Industrial Supplies Offices in each state and territory and in New Zealand).

The role of ICNL is to represent the ICN network at a national level and to liaise on behalf of the network with the Commonwealth Department of Industry Tourism and Resources in respect of the delivery of initiatives to increase the participation of Australian industry in significant opportunities and projects both in Australia and overseas.  ICNL manages strategic relationships with Austrade, AusIndustry and other nationally focussed organisations such as DMO (Defence procurement).
On behalf of the ICN network, ICNL maintains the IRIC database (ICN Register of Industry Capability), which comprises over 33,000 records used a reference base by the network in conducting its research of Australian capabilities.
In addition ICNL manages the Supplier Access to Major Projects program, (SAMP) for the Commonwealth Department of Industry Tourism and Resources.  The purpose of the SAMP program is to assist Australian SMEs to participate in major project procurement opportunities. To contact the ICNL please visit the website www.icn.org.au

Economic Indicators 

A study carried out for the ICN in 2007 by Australian Economic Consultants revealed that every $1 million spent in manufacturing activity in Australia generates:

• on average 12 person years employment (direct and indirect)
• $317,900 tax revenue
• $1.26 million of value-added
• $211,700 saving in government welfare payment

Government Procurement 

 ICN is an integral part of the Tasmanian Governments Procurement Policy aimed at maximising opportunities for local industry. The policy is to ensure that Tasmanian businesses are afforded "Fair and Equal" opportunity to quote and tender for work. ICNTAS was identified as the organisation best placed to assist both Government and industry to maximise the opportunities. Inner budget agencies are required to contact ICN in a timely manner for all purchases for goods and services valued at $100,000 or over (Excluding GST)
For more information regarding the role of ICN in Government Procurement please click here or the relevant link on the left, and please visit the Tasmanian Government Procurement website www.tenders.tas.gov.au

Tariff Concession And Enchanced Project By-Law Applications 

ICN acts as a "Prescribed Organisation" under the Customs Act to determine whether "substitutable goods" subject to a Tariff Concession application are manufactured in Australia. ICN can also verify if "equivalent goods" the subject of a Enchanced Project By-Law application are manufactured in Australia.
For further information click on Tariff Registration click here or email info@icntas.org.au

State-Wide Coverage 

ICN has three offices in Tasmania ensuring our services reach all areas of the State, they are

• Hobart
• Launceston
• Burnie

For contact detail click here