Australian family-owned manufacturer Whiteley has officially opened its new Human Therapeutics Plant in Tomago, NSW – the first-of-its-kind facility in the state, designed to strengthen local manufacturing capability and deliver new jobs, innovation, and healthcare solutions for Australia and beyond.
The official opening took place in June 2025, led by Whiteley Executive Chairman, Dr Greg Whiteley, and The Member for Port Stephens, Ms Kate Washington MP . The event was attended by more than 100 key stakeholders and staff and marked the culmination of a major investment in the future of Australian science, innovation, and healthcare.
This week, The Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of New South Wales, visited the plant to acknowledge its significance for local industry, regional jobs, and healthcare innovation. The $25 million purpose-built facility will manufacture alcohol-based hand rubs and over-the-counter medicines for hospitals and healthcare facilities across Australia and New Zealand. Once fully operational, the site will create more than 30 new roles across research, manufacturing, compliance, and operations – cementing Whiteley’s position as a significant employer in the Port Stephens region.
Dr Greg Whiteley, Executive Chairman of Whiteley, said:
“This facility is a long-term investment in Australian science, Australian jobs, and Australian manufacturing. This sector has long been dominated by multinational corporations. This plant levels the playing field and puts the Hunter region at the centre of therapeutic manufacturing in Australia.”
Whiteley is Australia’s largest manufacturer of liquid medical devices including sterilants, hospital-grade disinfectants and infection-prevention products. Founded 92 years ago, the family-owned company has operated from Tomago since 1995 and continues to expand both nationally and internationally. Today, Whiteley exports to more than 35 international markets and recently achieved Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP) certification, enabling it to export medical devices to the USA and Canada.
In recognition of its global impact and regional excellence, Whiteley was named NSW Business of the Year and Hunter Business of the Year in 2024, as well as receiving the Excellence in International Business Award at both the Business NSW and Business Hunter Awards. In 2025, Whiteley was further honoured as the recipient of the Hunter Business Presidents Award.
The new Human Therapeutics Plant has been designed in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and is the only therapeutic facility in NSW meeting modern fire safety and engineering compliance benchmarks. It will also serve as a hub for collaborative research with leading Australian universities, including the University of Newcastle, University of Sydney, and Western Sydney University, with a focus on tackling antimicrobial resistance and chronic biofilm-mediated infections.
Dr Whiteley added: “This is more than a factory. It’s a platform for scientific innovation and global competitiveness. We’re proud to be turning Australian research into real-world therapeutic products that are made in the Hunter to serve the healthcare system long into the future.”
The plant also reflects Whiteley’s commitment to sustainability, featuring no on-site discharge, advanced containment systems, and a 50-year design life to support long-term operations. With more than 70 employees across Australia and New Zealand and a growing international footprint, Whiteley continues to deliver on its mission to advance healthcare innovation, local jobs, and sovereign manufacturing capability.
Pictured: Darran Leyden, Managing Director of Whiteley, The Hon. Kate Washington MP, Bryony Munro, The Hon. Chris Minns MP, New South Wales and Dr Greg Whiteley, Executive Chairman of Whiteley.
