Emma Woodberry sits down with Shanaka Jayasinghe to discuss how supply chain sustainability can be achieved as a by-product of targeting operational excellence.
Sustainable supply chains are carbon conscious, transparent & ethical and circular. An efficient supply chain isn’t just good for your bottom line, it’s good for our world.
End to end sustainable supply chains extend from raw material sourcing through to last-mile delivery, returns and recycling processes.
In the fast-evolving Australian financial services landscape, supply chains are critical to operational success. From cloud computing platforms to payment processing vendors, financial institutions rely heavily on third-party and fourth-party providers to deliver essential services. However, this dependence introduces significant risks, from vendor insolvencies to cyberattacks. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s (APRA) Prudential Standard CPS 230 Operational Risk Management, effective July 1, 2025, places supply chain risk management at the forefront of operational resilience.
For financial services companies and risk professionals, CPS 230 is a game-changer, requiring robust oversight of supply chain partners to ensure continuity and compliance. As a leading supply chain consulting firm, Trace Consultants is uniquely positioned to help Australian financial institutions navigate these requirements. This article delves into CPS 230’s supply chain focus, its implications, and how our expertise can drive your compliance success.
CPS 230 replaces CPS 231 (Outsourcing) and CPS 232 (Business Continuity Management), introducing a comprehensive framework for operational risk management. It applies to all APRA-regulated entities, including authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs), insurers, and registrable superannuation entity (RSE) licensees. Non-significant financial institutions (non-SFIs) have until July 1, 2026, to comply with certain business continuity and scenario analysis requirements.
The standard’s supply chain focus is driven by the growing complexity of financial services supply chains, which now include:
CPS 230 aims to:
Modern financial institutions rely on intricate supply chains to deliver services efficiently. However, these supply chains are vulnerable to disruptions, including:
CPS 230 mandates a proactive approach to managing these risks, ensuring financial institutions can maintain operations and protect customers, depositors, and policyholders during disruptions.
CPS 230 introduces specific requirements to strengthen supply chain risk management. Below are the key obligations for financial services companies and risk professionals:
Financial institutions must identify material service providers (MSPs)—vendors critical to operations or posing significant risks. Examples include:
Key Actions:
Robust due diligence is required before engaging MSPs, particularly for offshore and fourth-party providers. This includes:
Key Actions:
Contracts with MSPs must include provisions to ensure supply chain resilience, such as:
Key Actions:
CPS 230 requires business continuity plans (BCPs) to address supply chain disruptions. This includes:
Key Actions:
The board is responsible for overseeing supply chain risk management, ensuring:
Key Actions:
CPS 230 extends oversight to fourth-party providers, which are often critical to service delivery. For example, a cloud provider’s subcontractor for data storage could disrupt operations if not properly managed.
Key Actions:
CPS 230’s supply chain focus has significant implications for Australian financial institutions:
As a leading supply chain consulting firm, Trace Consultants is uniquely equipped to help Australian financial institutions achieve CPS 230 compliance. Our deep expertise in supply chain risk management and operations ensures your organisation is prepared for this transformative regulation. Here’s how we can support you:
We conduct detailed supply chain audits to:
Our team provides end-to-end support for due diligence, including:
We design robust BCPs tailored to your supply chain, including:
We help establish effective governance structures for supply chain risk management, including:
Our expertise in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) software streamlines CPS 230 compliance. We:
Trace Consultants offers continuous support to ensure sustained compliance, including:
With our specialised focus on supply chain risk management, Trace Consultants is your trusted partner for CPS 230 compliance, ensuring your supply chain is resilient and regulatory-ready.
To prepare for CPS 230, financial institutions should prioritise the following:
CPS 230 sets a new standard for supply chain risk management in Australia’s financial services sector. As supply chains become more complex and interconnected, proactive oversight is essential to mitigate risks and ensure resilience. APRA’s focus on third- and fourth-party providers aligns with global trends, positioning compliant institutions to thrive in an evolving regulatory landscape.
By partnering with Trace Consultants, financial institutions can turn CPS 230 compliance into a strategic advantage, building supply chains that are robust, reliable, and ready for the future.
APRA’s Prudential Standard CPS 230 is reshaping how Australian financial institutions manage supply chain risks. By prioritising third- and fourth-party oversight, the standard ensures operational resilience and regulatory compliance. For financial services companies and risk professionals, CPS 230 is an opportunity to strengthen supply chains and build trust with stakeholders.
At Trace Consultants, our supply chain expertise empowers Australian financial institutions to achieve CPS 230 compliance with confidence. From mapping complex supply chains to implementing robust continuity plans, we provide end-to-end support to ensure your organisation is prepared for July 2025 and beyond.
Ready to transform your supply chain for CPS 230? Contact Trace Consultants today at www.traceconsultants.com.au to start your compliance journey. Let’s build a resilient supply chain together.
Global trade is in flux. Geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and shifting trade policies—exemplified by events like U.S.-China tariffs and Indonesia’s nickel export bans—have created an unpredictable landscape. For Australian manufacturers, these challenges threaten competitiveness but also present a chance to rebuild the industry by focusing on high-productivity, low-labour sectors.
Manufacturing’s share of Australia’s GDP has dwindled to under 10%, down from 29% in the 1950s, largely due to high labour costs and competition from low-cost producers. Yet, with strategic focus, Australia can capitalise on its strengths—abundant resources, skilled workforce, and innovation ecosystems—to target industries where productivity trumps labour intensity. This article outlines key sectors—advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and critical minerals—and strategies to maximise productivity, with guidance on how Trace Consultants can help CEOs and Boards lead the charge.
Global trade uncertainty exposes Australia’s reliance on imports for critical goods, from medical supplies to technology components. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this vulnerability, with supply chain bottlenecks disrupting access to essential products. Meanwhile, mercantilist policies in countries like China suppress wages and flood markets with cheap goods, undercutting Australian producers.
Manufacturing remains vital for economic resilience, job creation, and innovation. It drives productivity growth, historically outpacing services, and supports high-skill, high-wage jobs. For CEOs and Boards, revitalising manufacturing isn’t about returning to the 1960s but about targeting niches where Australia can compete on quality, innovation, and efficiency, not just cost.
To maximise productivity, Australia should focus on industries with low labour content or where advanced technologies and skilled workforces create competitive advantages. Three sectors stand out: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and critical minerals.
Advanced manufacturing leverages automation, AI, robotics, and 3D printing to produce high-value goods with minimal labour. Australia’s strengths—access to cutting-edge research through institutions like CSIRO and innovation hubs like the Australian Manufacturing and Materials Precinct (AMMP)—position it to excel in this space.
Key Opportunities:
Productivity Edge: Technologies like cobot welding and AI-driven quality control reduce labour needs while improving consistency. For example, automation upgrades in food processing have increased capital investment by 24.5%, enhancing output per worker.
How Trace Consultants Can Help: Trace Consultants designs automation strategies, from selecting AI tools to integrating robotics. We conduct feasibility studies, optimise workflows, and provide change management to ensure seamless adoption, helping manufacturers scale efficiently.
The global transition to net zero creates demand for clean energy technologies, aligning with Australia’s abundant renewable resources and government support via the $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia plan. Programs like the $1 billion Solar Sunshot and $523.2 million Battery Breakthrough incentivise local production.
Key Opportunities:
Productivity Edge: Clean energy manufacturing relies on automated processes, like robotic assembly lines for solar panels, reducing labour costs. Australia’s proximity to critical minerals also lowers input costs.
How Trace Consultants Can Help: We guide manufacturers through government incentives, develop supply chain strategies for raw materials, and implement digital twins to optimise production. Our expertise ensures alignment with sustainability goals and market needs.
Australia holds 31 critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, essential for batteries, electronics, and defence technologies. The $7 billion Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive supports downstream refining, reducing reliance on foreign processing.
Key Opportunities:
Productivity Edge: Automated extraction and refining technologies minimise labour while maximising output. Data analytics optimise resource use, cutting waste.
How Trace Consultants Can Help: Trace Consultants maps supply chains for critical minerals, negotiates partnerships with global buyers, and integrates AI-driven processing systems. We ensure compliance with environmental standards, enhancing market access.
Targeting the right industries is only half the battle. Manufacturers must adopt strategies to enhance productivity, leveraging technology and innovation to stay competitive.
The fourth industrial revolution—encompassing AI, IoT, and automation—enables manufacturers to optimise processes and reduce labour dependency. For example, predictive maintenance using IoT sensors can cut downtime by 15-20%.
Applications:
How Trace Consultants Can Help: We assess your operations, recommend Industry 4.0 solutions, and manage implementation. Our training programs ensure your workforce adapts to new technologies, driving productivity gains.
Global trade uncertainty demands robust supply chains. Manufacturers can mitigate risks by:
How Trace Consultants Can Help: We conduct supply chain diagnostics, design resilient networks, and implement digital tools like advanced planning systems (APS). Our expertise ensures continuity and cost efficiency.
High-productivity industries require skilled workers adept at managing advanced technologies. Australia’s declining birth rate (1.6, below the 2.1 replacement level) underscores the need for a tech-savvy workforce.
Approaches:
How Trace Consultants Can Help: We develop tailored upskilling programs, collaborating with educational institutions and industry bodies. Our change management strategies foster a culture of continuous learning.
Building manufacturing in these sectors faces hurdles:
CEOs and Boards can address these by leveraging government incentives, like the National Reconstruction Fund, and focusing on niche, high-value products. Collaboration with innovation hubs and global partners also enhances competitiveness.
At Trace Consultants, we empower Australian manufacturers to thrive in a volatile global market. Our services include:
Our data-driven, collaborative approach ensures solutions are tailored to your business, delivering measurable ROI. Whether you’re scaling a clean energy venture or automating a factory, we provide the expertise to succeed.
Global trade uncertainty is a wake-up call for Australian manufacturing. By targeting high-productivity, low-labour industries—advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and critical minerals—Australia can rebuild its industrial base. Embracing Industry 4.0, resilient supply chains, and skilled workforces will ensure competitiveness without relying on low-cost labour.
CEOs and Boards must act now, leveraging government support and expert guidance to seize these opportunities. Contact Trace Consultants today to transform your manufacturing strategy and build a future-proof business.
In Australia and New Zealand, emergency services—Police, Fire, and Ambulance—are the backbone of public safety, responding to crises from bushfires to medical emergencies and public order incidents. The effectiveness of these services hinges on robust supply chains that deliver critical equipment, medical supplies, and resources precisely when and where they’re needed. However, traditional supply chain models, built on predictable demand and linear logistics, are being challenged by the increasing complexity of modern crises, including climate-driven disasters, pandemics, and geopolitical disruptions.
Today, emergency services agencies and governments are rethinking preparedness, embracing innovative strategies to ensure resilience in the face of unpredictable challenges. This article explores how traditional thinking is being upended, the roles of Police, Fire, Ambulance, and government in driving change, and how Trace Consultants can help build agile, future-proof supply chains for emergency services across Australia and New Zealand.
Traditional emergency services supply chains were designed for stability, relying on centralised warehouses, long-term supplier contracts, and just-in-time inventory to minimise costs. While effective in routine scenarios, these models struggle under the strain of modern challenges:
These factors expose the limitations of traditional thinking, which prioritised cost-efficiency over flexibility. Modern preparedness demands dynamic, resilient supply chains that can adapt to uncertainty, scale rapidly, and leverage technology for real-time decision-making.
Emergency services agencies are breaking from convention, adopting innovative approaches to supply chain preparedness. These shifts challenge long-held assumptions and set the stage for transformative change.
Traditional supply chains relied on centralised warehouses to store equipment and supplies, assuming predictable demand. However, disasters like bushfires and floods often isolate regions, cutting off access to central hubs. Agencies are now decentralising storage, establishing regional stockpiles and mobile units to ensure rapid access to resources. This shift requires sophisticated network design to balance cost, accessibility, and redundancy.
Just-in-time inventory minimised waste but left agencies vulnerable during supply shocks. For example, Ambulance services struggled to secure PPE during COVID-19 due to global shortages. Agencies are now adopting strategic stockpiling, maintaining safety stocks of critical items like medical supplies, fuel, and protective gear. This approach demands advanced forecasting to optimise inventory without tying up excessive capital.
Reliance on global suppliers for items like medical equipment and firefighting gear has proven risky amid trade disruptions. Agencies are exploring local and regional sourcing, partnering with ANZ manufacturers to reduce lead times and enhance reliability. This shift supports local economies but requires rigorous supplier vetting and quality assurance.
Legacy systems, often paper-based or siloed, slow down supply chain responses. Agencies are embracing digital tools—AI for demand forecasting, IoT for asset tracking, and blockchain for supply chain transparency—to enhance visibility and agility. For instance, real-time tracking of Ambulance supplies can prevent stockouts during mass-casualty events.
Traditional models focused on reacting to crises, but modern preparedness emphasises proactive risk management. Agencies are using scenario modelling to simulate disasters, stress-test supply chains, and develop contingency plans. This approach ensures readiness for a range of scenarios, from natural disasters to cyber-attacks on logistics networks.
Police services in Australia and New Zealand, including the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and New Zealand Police, rely on supply chains to deliver equipment like body armour, vehicles, and communication devices. Traditional models, which prioritised cost and long-term contracts, are being challenged by:
Police are adopting decentralised logistics, with regional hubs to support rapid response, and digital platforms for asset management. For example, IoT-enabled tracking ensures officers have access to functional equipment during operations.
How Trace Consultants Can Help: Trace Consultants partners with Police agencies to optimise supply chains for operational readiness. Our AI-driven forecasting tools predict equipment needs, while our network design expertise supports decentralised logistics. We provide scenario modelling to prepare for public order events or supply disruptions, and our IoT solutions enhance asset visibility. By streamlining procurement and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, Trace helps Police services maintain mission-critical capabilities.
Fire and Rescue services, such as Fire and Rescue NSW and Fire and Emergency New Zealand, face unique supply chain challenges, particularly during bushfire seasons and urban emergencies. Traditional models struggled during the Black Summer bushfires, with delays in delivering respirators and firefighting foam. Key shifts include:
How Trace Consultants Can Help: Trace Consultants supports Fire services with tailored supply chain solutions. Our inventory optimisation tools balance stock levels to avoid shortages, while our network design frameworks enable regional stockpiling. We deploy AI and IoT for real-time tracking of firefighting assets, and our scenario modelling prepares agencies for worst-case scenarios like multi-region fires. Trace’s expertise ensures Fire services are equipped to protect communities under any conditions.
Ambulance services, including St John Ambulance and Queensland Ambulance Service, rely on supply chains for medical supplies, defibrillators, and vehicles. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities, with global PPE shortages delaying responses. Traditional thinking is being challenged by:
Ambulance services are adopting vendor-managed inventory (VMI) to streamline supplies, regional stockpiles for accessibility, and AI forecasting to predict demand surges.
How Trace Consultants Can Help: Trace Consultants enhances Ambulance supply chains with data-driven solutions. Our AI forecasting tools predict medical supply needs, while our VMI systems optimise stock availability. We design decentralised networks to ensure paramedics have instant access to supplies, and our blockchain solutions ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Trace’s scenario modelling prepares Ambulance services for pandemics or natural disasters, safeguarding life-saving operations.
Australian and New Zealand governments play a pivotal role in strengthening emergency services supply chains, setting policies and investing in infrastructure to support preparedness. Key responsibilities include:
Initiatives like Australia’s Office of Supply Chain Resilience (OSCR) and New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) promote collaboration across agencies, ensuring unified supply chain strategies. Policies encouraging local manufacturing of critical supplies reduce reliance on global markets.
Governments are funding regional warehouses, communication networks, and digital platforms to support decentralised logistics. For example, investments in 5G infrastructure enable IoT tracking for emergency assets.
Governments use n-tier analysis to map supply chain vulnerabilities, identifying risks in global supplier networks. Scenario planning prepares agencies for crises, from cyberattacks to climate disasters.
Upskilling logistics personnel to use digital tools is critical for adoption, requiring long-term training programs.
How Trace Consultants Can Help: Trace Consultants collaborates with governments to build resilient emergency services supply chains. Our n-tier analysis identifies vulnerabilities, while our scenario modelling simulates crises to inform policy. We deploy AI and IoT solutions to enhance operational efficiency, and our regulatory expertise ensures compliance with safety and procurement standards. From shaping national strategies to optimising defence logistics, Trace empowers governments to protect public safety.
Over the next decade, ANZ emergency services supply chains will become more decentralised, technology-driven, and resilient. By 2035, regional stockpiles, local sourcing, and AI-powered logistics will be standard, enabling agencies to respond swiftly to any crisis. Sustainability will also play a role, with low-emission vehicles and energy-efficient warehouses reducing environmental impact. Governments and agencies must invest in infrastructure, upskill workforces, and foster collaboration to realise this vision.
Trace Consultants is your partner in revolutionising emergency services supply chains. Our comprehensive solutions include:
With expertise across Police, Fire, Ambulance, and government sectors, Trace Consultants delivers data-driven strategies to enhance preparedness. Our proven frameworks ensure agencies can protect communities, no matter the challenge.
Emergency services supply chains in Australia and New Zealand are at a turning point. By challenging traditional thinking—moving from centralised to decentralised, reactive to proactive, and manual to digital—agencies are building resilience for an uncertain future. Police, Fire, Ambulance, and governments are leading this transformation, leveraging technology, local sourcing, and strategic planning to ensure readiness.
Trace Consultants stands ready to support this journey. Our expertise in network design, digital transformation, and risk management empowers agencies to deliver when it matters most. Ready to strengthen your emergency services supply chain? Contact Trace Consultants today and let’s build a safer, more resilient future together.
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