21 Primary Metal and Metal Product Manufacturing
Subdivision page linking the underlying ANZSIC groups and classes for this part of the hierarchy.
Browse the next layer
Groups in Primary Metal and Metal Product Manufacturing
Compare the industry groups below before you open a class page. This is the cleanest place to separate similar retail, service or production families without jumping too early to the final code.
Groups
What this subdivision covers
ANZSIC subdivision 21 is the middle layer between the broad division and the more specific groups. It is useful when you want to understand the section of the economy without jumping straight to the final class code.
This is also where confusion often appears. Similar business types can sit in nearby groups, so using the subdivision page first makes the boundary clearer before you narrow the match further.
Subdivision facts
- Division
- C Manufacturing
- Groups
- 4
- Classes
- 10
Class-level detail
Classes in Primary Metal and Metal Product Manufacturing
These are the final four-digit ANZSIC class pages in this subdivision. Each card uses the official class-level description and primary activities already parsed from the ABS material.
Iron and Steel Casting
This class consists of units mainly engaged in manufacturing finished iron and steel products by casting (also known as 'founding') molten ferrous metals in moulds.
- Castings, iron, manufacturing
- Castings, steel, manufacturing
- Chain, cast steel, manufacturing
Steel Pipe and Tube Manufacturing
This class consists of units mainly engaged in manufacturing seamless or welded steel pipes or tubes, or ferrous metal pipe or tube fittings (except cast or forged).
- Cold drawn steel pipe or tube manufacturing
- Fittings, steam, gas or water, manufacturing (ferrous metal; except cast or forged)
- Galvanised seamless or welded steel pipe or tube manufacturing
Alumina Production
This class consists of units mainly engaged in refining bauxite to form alumina (aluminium oxide).
- Alumina manufacturing
- Bauxite refining
- Calcined alumina manufacturing
Aluminium Smelting
This class consists of units mainly engaged in smelting alumina to produce aluminium, or recovering aluminium from scrap.
- Aluminium casting
- Aluminium from scrap recovery
- Aluminium smelting (from alumina)
Copper, Silver, Lead and Zinc Smelting and Refining
This class consists of units mainly engaged in primary smelting or refining of copper, silver, lead or zinc, or in the recovery of these metals from waste or scrap.
- Blister copper manufacturing
- Copper smelting, refining
- Copper, silver, lead or zinc from scrap or waste material recovering
Other Basic Non-Ferrous Metal Manufacturing
This class consists of units mainly engaged in primary smelting, secondary smelting and refining of other non-ferrous metals, or in the recovery of such metals from drosses, ashes, scrap or other waste material.
- Antimony, refined, manufacturing
- Bismuth smelting or refining
- Bronze manufacturing
Non-Ferrous Metal Casting
This class consists of units mainly engaged in manufacturing finished non-ferrous metal products by casting molten non-ferrous metals in moulds.
- Castings, non-ferrous metal, manufacturing n.e.c.
- Die casting, non-ferrous metal, manufacturing n.e.c.
Aluminium Rolling, Drawing, Extruding
This class consists of units mainly engaged in hot or cold rolling, drawing or extruding aluminium.
- Aluminium foil, household, manufacturing
- Aluminium rolling, drawing or extruding
- Bar, aluminium, manufacturing
Other Basic Non-Ferrous Metal Product Manufacturing
This class consists of units mainly engaged in hot or cold rolling, drawing or extruding non-ferrous metal.
- Bar, non-ferrous metal, manufacturing (except aluminium)
- Foil, non-ferrous metal, manufacturing (except aluminium)
- Non-ferrous metal rolling, drawing or extruding (except aluminium)
Frequently asked questions
What does subdivision 21 add?
Primary Metal and Metal Product Manufacturing narrows the broad division into a more specific industry family. It is the level you use when you need more precision but are not yet at the final class.
Can I view the class pages directly from subdivision 21?
Yes. This page now shows both the groups and the class pages nested under them, so you can move straight to the final four-digit ANZSIC class when the subdivision is already correct.
Is the subdivision code the one used on forms?
Usually not. Most operational forms use the class-level code. The subdivision page is mainly for navigation and understanding the hierarchy.
How to use this page
If you know the division but not the exact group, this is the right stepping stone. It keeps the hierarchy readable and stops you from guessing the four-digit class too early.
For code selection work, move from subdivision to group and then confirm on the class page before you rely on the result for registration, reporting or taxonomy mapping.
Source and trust
- Official source
- ABS ANZSIC 2006 release
- Last reviewed
- 2026-04-17
This site is an independent reference resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the ABS, ATO or any Australian Government agency.
Please verify critical classification decisions with the official authority before using them for tax, payroll, licensing, immigration or compliance work.