Australian Made Week is the perfect time to celebrate the rich diversity and innovation of local businesses.
From Byron Bay Chilli Co.’s fiery sauces to NextOre’s cutting-edge mining tech, from Plonkit’s clever Aussie invention to Smarterlite’s sustainable lighting, and Nurtur Tea’s mindful blends, these six brands showcase the best of what Australia has to offer.
Dynamic Business is proud to bring you their stories, each one telling a unique tale of creativity, community, and commitment to making products right here at home. From small startups to global players, these companies showcase the power of the green and gold kangaroo logo.
Byron Bay Chilli Co.
Kicking off our series, we spotlight Byron Bay Chilli Co., a family-owned brand that has turned a humble chilli patch into an internationally recognized name. Established in 1992, Byron Bay Chilli Co. began with a chilli patch overlooking Byron Bay.
Today, it’s an international brand known for its natural, preservative-free sauces and salsas, with awards across three continents, including the Grand Prize Scovie Award from New Mexico. All products are proudly made in Australia. Now in its 33rd year, Byron Bay Chilli Co. is a standout example of Australian-made quality.
“Being Australian made and owned is at the heart of our business,” says Managing Director Daniel Morgan. “It’s about supporting local producers, creating jobs, and delivering products that meet high global standards for quality and sustainability.”
This commitment has earned the company accolades, including the prestigious Grand Prize Scovie Award in New Mexico, alongside other honors in Australia and Europe. Byron Bay Chilli Co.’s focus on local manufacturing ensures consistency and authenticity, qualities that resonate with consumers worldwide. “Australian made carries weight internationally,” Morgan notes. “It signals safety, sustainability, and trust, values today’s consumers prioritize.”
Like many Australian Made businesses, the company faces challenges in a competitive global food market but leverages its local roots and flavor innovation to stand out. As Australian Made Week encourages Aussies to “Go for Gold” by choosing local, the company’s story highlights the impact of supporting homegrown brands. “When you buy Australian, you’re investing in our economy and communities,” Morgan adds.
Plonkit
In celebration of Australian Made Week, say g’day to the Plonkit, designed and made in Australia to solve an age-old Aussie problem, finding somewhere to safely and conveniently plonk down anything you’re holding while enjoying time outside.
Designed and made in Australia from recyclable plexiglass materials, the Plonkit is a stylish poolside and balcony bar that easily and securely connects to a glass fence, giving Aussies a sturdy place to plonk down all the essentials, drinks, sunnies, phones, snacks, speaker, sunscreen, with no worries.Whether you’re cooking the barbie, going for a swim, or relaxing with friends on the balcony, just plonk whatever you don’t need right this second on the Plonkit.
“We came up with the Plonkit to give an easy solution and answer to the questions you ask and hear too many times, ‘Where did I put my beer?’, ‘Is there somewhere I can put my things?’, ‘Did you just jump in the pool with your phone in your pocket?’” said James Catts, inventor of the Plonkit. “The one-word answer of ‘Plonkit’ answers these questions. It’s high quality, versatile and we’re excited to make life more convenient for people who love the Aussie tradition of spending time outside.”
NextOre
Mining technology start-up NextOre is boosting Australia’s leadership in sustainable mining innovation through its development with the CSIRO of a ground-breaking system addressing global critical mineral supply challenges. Enabling step-changes in efficiencies and sustainability at mine sites, NextOre deploys to the resources industry the same highly accurate technology used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment. But instead of pinpointing medical issues, NextOre analysers rapidly determine ore grade in real time, at the source.
CEO Chris Beal said, “The technology significantly reduces mining companies’ consumption of water, fuel and chemicals, while lowering the volume of potentially environmentally hazardous wet tailings. It’s a critical step towards safer and more efficient mining.”
NextOre grew out of a CSIRO R&D project from which the technology was commercialised for sensors to be used over conveyor belts. The products it now supplies demonstrate how Australian deep-tech and public-private collaboration can drive sustainable, scalable innovation for world markets.
Smarterlite
Smarterlite’s breakthrough Hybrid Photoluminescent Environmental Exit Signs are lighting up buildings across Australia, using far less electricity than battery-reliant exit signs. Engineered and manufactured in Victoria, they harness photoluminescent technology to glow in the dark, removing the costs and disruptions associated with batteries. Already saving tens of millions in costs and carbon emissions for government departments and major property portfolios, this smart tech proves Aussie-made innovation isn’t just competitive, it’s world-leading.
“At Smarterlite, we believe being Australian Made means investing in our people, our planet and our future. It’s why we continue to grow our Preston manufacturing base and lead conversations on sustainable infrastructure. As Australian Made Week approaches, we’re celebrating more than a label, we’re celebrating what it enables.”
Nurtur Tea
“At Nurtur Tea, we’re proud to be an Australian-made wellness brand rooted on the Sunshine Coast. Our teas are blended with naturopathic guidance and crafted with care, using clean ingredients, blended in-house when we can, plastic-free packaging, and a deep respect for both people and planet. As a female-founded business, we’re passionate about supporting Australian suppliers, collaborating with local creatives, and fostering a conscious community.
“Being Australian made allows us to stay hands-on with every part of the process, from sourcing to blending to packaging. It means transparency, ethical production, and lower environmental impact. It also creates space for connection, with the farmers, the designers, the herbalists, and the mums who choose our tea every day.
“For us, Australian Made is about community, integrity, and trust.
Each year, Australian Made Week offers us a chance to reconnect with our customers and tell the deeper story behind our blends. We always see a meaningful uplift in engagement and support, particularly from women and families who are drawn to our values. Last year, it also led to a new retail partnership and inspired us to explore deeper collaborations with other local brands.”
Spitfire Vintage Caravans
In the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, a bespoke van manufacturer has been a magnet for aspiring mobile food entrepreneurs with their vintage inspired food vans. These beautiful vans come in a number of sizes and are custom made for each customer, in a dizzying variety of colours.
Spitfire has demonstrated that premium products can be manufactured in Australia. Theirs is a small batch premium food van, not a mass produced product. Their focus is on service and delivering a bespoke solution for each customer. Whilst local manufacturing doesn’t always make economic sense for high volume low cost items, there are beautiful aesthetic products like Spitfire that show we can make things right here in Australia for local customers.
The team at Spitfire have a few tips for local businesses:
• do something you love, our van manufacturing came from a personal love of old caravans
• understand your customers
• deliver personal service to add value to your product
• create beautiful things, aesthetics attract people, we’ve had customers fly across the country to come and see our vans in the flesh
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