The country wants to process more lithium locally, rather than just exporting it.

Western Australia is a major player in the lithium industry, with many mines and processing facilities.

However, Australian miners face challenges in competing with Chinese companies, which dominate the global lithium market.

Despite these challenges, some Australian companies are trying to process lithium locally and capture more value from the battery supply chain.

The Australian government has released strategies to support the development of the lithium industry, including the Future Battery Industry Strategy and the National Battery Strategy.

These strategies aim to increase the scale of processing, manufacturing, and service activities in the battery value chain in Australia.

However, the high cost of refining lithium in Australia is a major obstacle, and some companies have struggled to make a profit.

To overcome these challenges, the Australian government and industry leaders will need to work together to support the development of the lithium industry and create a more competitive environment for local companies.