Abstract: In the tale of the apparent decline of the Australian manufacturing sector, overall job numbers, and the location of jobs, have been presented and analysed. Less examined and understood are changes at the sub-industry level of manufacturing, its changing geography and what this may mean for economic planning. Focussing on the city of Melbourne, this preliminary examination considers these issues, using Census and Worksafe Victoria data from 2001 to 2011 to compare the recent metropolitan-wide fortunes of three major manufacturing sectors and two key industrial regions. The research finds manufacturing in relative decline but in key locations and sub-sectors jobs numbers have increased. The two regions exhibit different patterns and prospects. We closely examine the more resilient sectors and industrial areas to gain insight into the implications of their apparent success. We conclude by considering the course of further research, calling for a multi-scalar understanding and approach.