Victoria’s caravan industry contributed more than $2 billion to the state’s economy in 2017 – and employed 6600 Victorians in caravan manufacturing, retail, repair and servicing.
Figures released by the Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic), the peak body for Victoria’s caravan industry, show the industry has created 1450 new jobs in the six years from 2011.
CIA Vic Chief Executive Officer, Rob Lucas, said there had been a 28 per cent increase in jobs over six years, bringing the 2017 total to 6587 jobs.
“Manufacturing accounts for 4123 of these jobs, in sharp contrast with the decline in other sectors such as the car industry,” he said.
“Overall, we have achieved average annual jobs growth of more than 4.6 per cent for six years, well ahead of overall state and national employment figures.
“Our total contribution to the state’s economy has grown by 50 per cent, from $1.4 billion in 2011 to $ 2.1 billion in 2017.
“This amazing growth is due partly to increasing production, and partly to the increasingly luxurious, premium-priced vans favoured by Australians.”
Mr Lucas said the industry comprised more than 1000 individual enterprises with an annual payroll of $330 million and a total value-add of $680 million.
He said caravans were helping to sustain Victoria’s tradition as the manufacturing heartland of Australia, with 90 per cent of all Australian-made recreational vehicles built in Victoria.
“Our industry’s growth is being driven by the Victorian Caravan and Camping Industry Blueprint, which we created in 2012,” he said. “The blueprint laid out ambitious targets for training and industry standards, and has enjoyed the support of successive state governments, notably the Departments of Economic Development, Education & Training, and Tourism.”
