Australia Steel Rebar Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Construction, Infrastructure, Industrial), By Region (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia), And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

“2030 Australia steel rebar market value to reach USD 1.77 billion.”

Australia Steel Rebar Market Size & Trends

The Australia steel rebar market size was valued at USD 1.39 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2025 to 2030. Growth in non-residential construction is projected to remain a key driver for the regional steel rebar industry. Additionally, the expansion of engineering construction and growth in the residential construction sector is likely to support the demand for steel rebar in the country.

Australia has a robust infrastructure pipeline poised to drive market growth in the coming years. Key projects include Jandakot Business Park, Putney Wharf Residences, the 600 Collins Street Office Tower, the Australian Tax Office HQ, and the Issac Towers project, among others.

There is a growing emphasis on sustainable construction practices, particularly the use of recycled materials in rebar production. Notably, three green steel initiatives are underway in Western Australia, two of which are part of the GSWA. The first project is an AUD 400 million recycling mill in Collie, which aims to produce 450,000 tons per year of green rebar and wire rods by 2026, utilizing renewable energy.

Australian manufacturers are also focusing on boosting domestic production to meet the country's increasing demands. Concerns have been raised regarding potential antidumping practices by foreign exporters. In September 2024, the Antidumping Commission initiated an investigation into rebar imports from countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Türkiye, and Vietnam.

Drivers, Opportunities & Restraints

Increased government spending on infrastructure projects is anticipated to augment demand for steel rebar in Australia. For example, as per the 2024-25 budget, the Australian government has committed AUD 96.5 billion toward building projects under the Infrastructure Investment Program for the next 10 years. This not only boosts the rebar market but also stimulates job creation and economic activity, creating a positive feedback loop that further enhances demand for construction materials as infrastructure improvements foster long-term economic growth.

Increasing focus on sustainable construction practices is further creating opportunities for recycled steel rebar as environmentally conscious builders seek to reduce their carbon footprint and utilize materials that support green building initiatives. For example, the Green Building Council of Australia promotes the use of recycled materials in construction, leading to projects like the Melbourne Metro Tunnel, which incorporates recycled steel to meet sustainability goals.

Despite prospective growth opportunities, Australia's rebar market is encountering significant challenges due to fluctuating raw material prices, especially iron ore and ferrous scrap. The economic slowdown in China, Australia's primary trade partner and the world's largest steel producer, poses substantial risks to the country's economic stability. Declining residential property values and reduced investments in real estate in China have led to decreased demand for iron ore, which is Australia's top export. Notably, approximately 85% of Australia's iron ore exports are directed to China. In August 2024, iron ore prices plummeted by 38% compared to January 2024, highlighting the impact of these market dynamics on Australia’s economy.

Pricing Trend

The Australian market is currently experiencing a notable decline in steel rebar prices. After achieving double-digit growth in 2021 and 2022, import prices fell by over 20% in 2023, despite a year-on-year increase of around 29% in the import volume. This price drop is primarily attributed to unfavorable conditions in China’s steel market and economic uncertainty. Additionally, declining scrap prices and antidumping practices have further exacerbated the decrease in rebar prices in Australia.

In 2024, construction rebar costs reached their lowest levels since 2017. Weakening global demand and a property slump in China severely impacted the steel industry, resulting in low rebar prices across major markets worldwide. While this decline may offer advantages for construction projects in Australia, it also presents broader economic challenges for the nation.

Application Insights

“Construction segment held a revenue share of over 49% in 2024.”

The construction of new houses plays a vital role in the growth of the steel rebar market. Rebar is a key material used to reinforce floor slabs, walls, monolithic sections, foundations, brickwork, and other works such as elements of roofing, including balcony parapets and ventilation ducts.

The construction industry is crucial to Australia’s economy, contributing approximately 8% to 9% of the GDP and playing a key role in job creation and infrastructure development. There has been a notable focus on residential construction, driven by demographic changes and urbanization. Despite increased spending in both residential and non-residential projects post-pandemic, a huge gap persists between the two. This disparity highlights the strength of the residential market and presents ongoing investment opportunities in commercial property.

The infrastructure segment in Australia presents significant opportunities, driven by increasing investments in future transport and a commitment to decarbonization. For example, an AUD 70 billion investment in rail construction over the next five years, announced in 2023, marks a pivotal period of infrastructural development aimed at transforming the rail network for future generations.

Regional Insights

“NSW held the revenue share of almost 30.0% in 2024.”

The steel rebar market in New South Wales is driven by ongoing infrastructure and construction projects supported by government investments. For example, the 2024-25 Budget allocates AUD 20.8 billion to the Infrastructure Investment Program over the next decade, with AUD 17.7 billion designated for major road and rail projects. These investments are anticipated to drive increased demand for steel rebar in the region throughout the forecast period.

The steel rebar market in Victoria is anticipated to witness strong demand due to ongoing residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects, particularly in urban centers like Melbourne. Some of the projects include the Metro Tunnel, Suburban Rail Loop, and Ison Road Overpass.

The steel rebar market in Queensland is the third largest in Australia. It is poised for significant growth driven by the government’s efforts toward housing projects. For instance, the federal government’s AUD 32 billion Homes for Australia initiative aims to alleviate housing shortages by funding the construction of over 1,000 new homes in southeast Queensland. This surge in residential development, supported by an AUD 40 million investment through the Housing Support Program, is anticipated to augment demand for construction materials, like steel rebar, in Queensland, over the coming years.

Key Australia Steel Rebar Company Insights

The Australia steel rebar market is highly competitive amidst growing emphasis on domestic production, ongoing antidumping investigations, and continued reliance on imports. The companies are focusing on manufacturing green steel rebars, which promises a shift toward sustainable practices, which are driven by growing environmental concerns and government initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

Some of the key players operating in the steel rebar market include InfraBuild and Neumann Steel Pty Ltd.

• Infrabuild is Australia’s largest processor and distributor of steel long products, with a global presence that includes recycling centers in Poland, the U.S., and Hong Kong, alongside international scrap metal trading operations in India, South Africa, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK, and a manufacturing facility in Dalian, China.

• Neumann Steel Pty Ltd was established in 1970. It has evolved from a family-owned business to Queensland's largest mesh supplier. It offers rebars, reinforcing mesh, accessories, and NuPod. Its services include prefabrication, injection molding, scheduling, cut & bend, and 3D modeling, among others.

• AUSREO, a 100% Australian-owned business with 20 locations along the East Coast. Its product portfolio comprises reinforcing mesh, rebar, prefabricated cages, preform columns, and tools & accessories. It provides services such as BIM, estimating, site documentation, and others.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, Greensteel Australia, in partnership with Danieli, announced to build a 600 kilotons per annum rolling mill powered entirely by green hydrogen in New South Wales, establishing a global benchmark for zero-emissions steel production with operations expected to commence by late 2026.

• In September 2024, the Australian Anti-Dumping Commission launched an investigation into hot-rolled deformed steel reinforcing bars from Malaysia, Thailand, Türkiye, Vietnam, and specific Indonesian companies, following an application from Infrabuild NSW Pty Limited, with the investigation period running from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and key determinations scheduled for late 2024 and early 2025.

Australia Steel Rebar Market Report Scope

Australia Steel Rebar Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at the country level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the Australia steel rebar market report on the basis of application and region.

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Construction

  • Infrastructure

  • Industrial

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Australia

    • New South Wales

    • Victoria

    • Queensland

    • South Australia

    • Western Australia