Illawarra

Illawarra

BlueScope in the Illawarra

BlueScope employs around 3,000 people directly in the Illawarra and supports about 10,000 jobs in the Illawarra - including contractors, suppliers and other service providers who are dependent on the Port Kembla Steelworks.

BlueScope accounts for more than $2 billion in sales of locally produced steel each year, and the Port Kembla Steelworks has a production capacity of just over 3 million tonnes of steel per annum.  The Steelworks covers 760 hectares.

BlueScope in the Illawarra is the home of COLORBOND® steel, which was developed at our own in-house – and Australia’s largest - manufacturing research facility.

All BlueScope people work hard to reduce the environmental impact of our operations, and we spend around $50 million each year on the operation and maintenance of pollution control equipment. 

The Story of Steel: Port Kembla Steelworks

BlueScope has a long and proud history as an efficient, trusted and innovative steelmaker in the Illawarra. In Australia, it evolved from the coming together of many companies that pioneered the Australian steel industry in the early 20th Century  including The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP), John Lysaght (Australia) Pty Ltd (Lysaght) and Australian Iron and Steel Limited (AIS) and have been many others since.

 

Book a tour

Book a tour

Want to take a tour of the Steelworks?

Public tours of the Port Kembla Steelworks are available most Friday and Saturday mornings, commencing at the Inside Industry Visitor Centre at 9:30am and returning around 12:00 midday.

 

Download the comic book

Download our comic book resource

"A Visit to the Port Kembla Steelworks" is an engaging online resource designed to showcase our sustainability efforts and manufacturing processes. It offers a fun and interactive learning experience, featuring easily accessible videos and podcasts via QR codes. This resource is ideal for students interested in a career in the steel industry, visitors to our facilities, or anyone keen to learn more about steel manufacturing.

Western Port facility high aerial shot

BlueScope and the Illawarra environment

BlueScope is committed to the efficient use of resources, preventing pollution and reducing the environmental impact of its operations and products. View our environmental performance reporting.

Our communities are our homes

At BlueScope, our communities are our homes.  In the Illawarra, our Company has invested well over $5 million in community sponsorships and donations in the last 10 years. 

The BlueScopeWIN community partners program has donated over $1 million to around 150 community groups since 2012.

No.6 Blast Furnace Reline at Port Kembla

Our No.5 Blast Furnace is expected to reach the end of its life sometime between 2026-30, and the relining of the No.6 Blast Furnace is critical in ensuring the future of steelmaking in the Illawarra region.

Commodity Logistics and Import Project

The project will involve upgrade of the raw materials berths, and unloading and conveying infrastructure, which will allow BlueScope to continue to import raw materials operations including iron ore, scrap, coal and other materials for ongoing steelmaking operations.

Plate Mill Modernisation Project

The project is an important step in bolstering Australia's sovereign manufacturing capability, supporting critical industries like renewable energy, defence, and major infrastructure.

Western Port facility low aerial shot

Smart steel products

BlueScope has a strong heritage of innovation emanating from Port Kembla. COLORBOND® steel has remained a class leader for almost 50 years – an enviable and remarkable achievement in any industry.

Contact us

General enquiry, grievance or suggestion

  • To contact BlueScope security in an emergency, call (02) 4275 6000.
  • If you have a complaint, call 1800 640 252

Please email us if you have an enquiry or something you'd like to discuss. Depending on the nature of your enquiry, we will find the most appropriate people to respond and try and answer as soon as we can. We aim to have an answer back to you within five business days. You can keep your enquiry anonymous if you choose to. We will reply via email or phone as requested.

Suppliers and procurement

For more information, visit our BlueScope Australia website.

Product information or enquiries

Free call on 1800 800 789 or email us.

Donations or Sponsorship Applications

Visit our BlueScopeWIN Website to learn about the partnership, complete an application for donation or sponsorship.