Amazon Australia to open robotics fulfilment centre in Western Sydney

Amazon Australia to open robotics fulfilment centre in Western Sydney

Amazon Australia said it plans to open its first Amazon Robotics fulfilment centre (FC) at Goodman’s Oakdale West Industrial Estate in Western Sydney.

The construction of new building is expected to complete in late 2021. The company said in a statement, the new fulfilment centre will create more than 1,500 jobs with industry leading pay and the opportunity to work alongside advance robotics. ”The construction and fit out of the state-of-the-art facility will create an additional 700 jobs.”

“This new centre, once up and running, will create more than 1,500 jobs in addition to 700 construction jobs at a time when we need them most. Amazon’s decision to locate its first robotic centre in the Southern Hemisphere right here in Western Sydney is another great example about what the future holds,” said Gladys Berejiklian, The Premier of New South Wales.

“The Amazon Robotics fulfilment centre will more than double our operational footprint in Australia, enhance efficiency and safety for our associates while ultimately providing customers with wider selection and faster delivery. We look forward to creating more than 1,500 jobs, the majority of which are permanent full time jobs, with the opportunity to work alongside advanced robotics to deliver the ultimate in service for customers. This investment will also benefit the 10,000 plus small & medium sized businesses who utilise Fulfilment By Amazon to seamlessly service customers across the country,” said Craig Fuller, Director of Operations, Amazon Australia.

The fulfilment centre will be equipped with the most advanced Amazon Robotics technology to better assist employees and serve customers, and contribute to the company’s efforts to deliver a smarter, faster and more consistent experience for its customers around Australia. Robots help speed order processing time by moving shelves to employees, thereby reducing the time and efforts taken to stow items for sale or pick them for new customer orders and creating a more pleasant work environment. They also save space, allowing for 50% more items to be stowed per square metre. The fulfilment centre will have a total floor area of around 200,000 square metres across four levels – around the same land size as Taronga Zoo or 22 rugby fields – and house up to 11 million items.

Amazon Robotics will offer a diverse range of job opportunities in a high-tech, industry-leading workplace ranging from IT, HR and robotics professionals, to associates who will work collaboratively with robots, to pick, pack and ship smaller items such as books, beauty products, electronics and toys to customers. The majority of jobs will be permanent full time roles, with leading pay and comprehensive benefits such as subsidised healthcare and up to 20 weeks maternity pay. This upcoming building will be Amazon’s second FC in Western Sydney, increasing its capacity to fulfil customer orders as the business continues to expand in Australia.

Globally, Amazon has more than 175 fulfillment centres and more than 40 sort centres. The company has opened more than 50 Amazon Robotic FCs around the world. Amazon currently uses the help of more than 200,000 robotic drive units around the world.