The manufacturing industry's contribution to Australia's gross domestic product (GDP) has been falling in percentage terms since the early 1960s as other industries have risen in prominence. Despite this it is still the second largest segment of the Australian economy. In 2005-06, the industry had a gross industry product of $96 billion, exports of $75 billion and employed 1 052 000 persons. Manufacturing is a major contributor to the state economies of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.

The scope of 'manufacturing' occupations covers a broad spectrum. The skills profile of the manufacturing industry covers production workers, tradespeople, technicians and associate professionals as well as professionals. These are applied in the range of manufacturing from simply transformed to elaborately transformed materials.

The new Manufacturing Training Package was initially developed to include all qualifications across the manufacturing industries as the existing manufacturing Training Packages are rationalized. Information on some of the qualifications available in MSA07 follows.