Working Behind the Seams | Ethical Clothing Australia Week 2025

Did you know the majority of workers in Australia's textile, clothing and footwear industry come from migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds?

As part of Ethical Clothing Australia Week 2025, we're presenting Working Behind the Seams – an informative exhibition celebrating 25 years of protecting the rights of Australia's garment workers. This commemorative showcase highlights the often invisible stories of workers who have been integral to our textile, clothing, and footwear industry.

Located in the Immigration Museum's atrium from Friday 3 October to Sunday 5 October, the exhibition features compelling interviews with industry figures and personal stories from Australia's textile, clothing, and footwear workers. Walk through a visual 25-year timeline and learn about the lived experiences of predominantly migrant women who conduct garment work from factories, as well as outworkers who work from home, often under precarious conditions.

Through documentary footage, archival materials, and impactful quotes and imagery, Working Behind the Seams reveals both the challenges these workers have faced and the collaborative efforts that have driven meaningful reform.

This is a rare opportunity to understand the vital contributions of Australia's garment workers and learn about the importance of ethical supply chains.