Amazon Australia has commenced construction on its first Robotics Fulfilment Centre (FC) in western Sydney, slated to be completed in late 2021.

Located at Goodman’s Oakdale West Industrial Estate, the FC will measure 200,000 square metres across four levels – approximately the same land size as Taronga Zoo or 22 rugby fields and house up to 11 million items.

It will be equipped with the most advanced Amazon Robotics technology to assist employees and serve customers in a smarter, faster and more consistent way.

Robots help speed order processing time by moving shelves to employees, reducing time and effort taken to stow items for sale or pick them for new customer orders. The robots also save space, allowing for 50% more items to be stowed per square metre.

The FC will create more than 1,500 jobs ranging from IT, HR and robotics professionals, to associates who will work collaboratively with robots to pick, pack and ship smaller items such as books, beauty products, electronics and toys.

Amazon Australia director of operations, Craig Fuller said the FC will more than double the operational footprint in Australia, enhance efficiency and safety while providing customers with wider selection and faster delivery.

“We look forward to creating more than 1,500 jobs, the majority of which are permanent full-time jobs, with the opportunity to work alongside advanced robotics to deliver the ultimate service for customers. This investment will also benefit the 10,000 plus small and medium sized businesses who utilise Fulfilment by Amazon to seamlessly service customers across the country,” he said.