Geelong's post-Ford transformation is cited nationally as a model for managing industrial transition

Geelong's economic transformation following the closure of the Ford manufacturing plant in 2016 has been one of the most closely studied regional economic transitions in Australia, and the city's experience has influenced federal and state policy approaches to managing plant closures and regional economic disruption. The outcome, measured in employment and economic growth indicators, has been considerably more positive than pessimistic forecasts at the time of the Ford announcement suggested.

The transition has been driven by genuine economic diversification rather than a single replacement industry. Health technology and aged care services have grown substantially, anchored by Deakin University's health campus and the Barwon Health network. Defence manufacturing at the Australian Naval Infrastructure precinct has provided new skilled manufacturing employment. The visitor economy along the Great Ocean Road and in the Geelong waterfront has continued to grow.

Deakin University has been a central actor in the transformation story, investing in research capabilities and industry partnerships that have helped attract new economy businesses to Geelong and provided the education and retraining programs that workers transitioning from the automotive sector needed. The university's growth has also directly created employment and economic activity across a range of functions that extend well beyond academic roles.

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