I am a skilled worker

Working in Defence Industry

What is it like to work in Defence Industry? Like many sectors, Defence Industry is made up of a number of employers - ranging in size from small local businesses, to large multinationals - and plenty of people working in a wide variety of roles both ‘on the tools’ and behind the scenes. With access to major projects, significant investment and cutting edge technology, a career in Defence Industry is like nothing else.

Adjacent Industries

Workers from these industries are likely to have highly transferable skills, making them ideal candidates to transition to a career in Defence Industry.

Aerospace

Automotive

Mining

Advanced manufacturing

What jobs can I do?

Defence Industry needs Australian workers to contribute to the delivery of shipbuilding, aircraft, land vehicles, and work on the cutting edge of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, information technology and cyber security. Of course, Defence Industry also needs project managers, finance officers, procurement specialists and other professional roles to keep everything running smoothly.

Some relevant jobs include:

Fitter Machinists

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) programmers / operators

Composites Shipbuilders

Mechanical Fitters / Pipe Fitters

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians

Boilermakers and Welders

Mechanical Engineers

Marine Fabricators

Industrial and Electrotechnology Electricians

Information Technology Specialists

Project Managers

Cyber Security Professionals

Find more roles at https://www.yourcareer.gov.au/

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Benefits of a career in Defence Industry

Exciting projects

A career in Defence Industry often means you’ll be working on the cutting edge of Australia’s national security: developing and using new technologies; manufacturing on the largest of scales; and pushing the frontiers of our capabilities.

A diverse, collaborative culture

A career in Defence Industry rewards collaboration, curiosity and ingenuity. Defence Industry sits at the crossroads of research, manufacturing and tech which means our people come from many backgrounds, bringing a rich and diverse culture.

Opportunities to build new skills

The ever-changing nature of Defence means Defence Industry rewards life-long learning with government-funded training available across a wide range of roles.

Job security and great pay

With government investment and a commitment to Australian Industry Capability, a career in Defence Industry is well-paid, in-demand and offers long-term security.

Local opportunities

Defence Industry is truly nation-wide. With businesses operating across the supply chain from metro, regional and remote areas of Australia, there’s likely a role in the Defence Industry in your own backyard. Plus, plenty of relocation opportunities too if you feel like spreading your wings!

Where Can I Work

The Defence Industries are truly nation-wide. With opportunities in every State and Territory, you’re sure to find roles in your own backyard. Check out some of the local projects and opportunities below.

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory’s geographic location and climatic conditions are seeing it emerge as a growing centre for the Australian space sector.

Western Australia

The Australian Marine Complex (AMC) in Henderson, WA is the base for a strong shipbuilding industry in Australia.

South Australia

A key location for Defence Industries, the Osborne Shipyard in South Australia is a hub for naval shipbuilding.

Victoria

Victoria hosts the largest cyber security cluster in Australia, including the Oceania Cyber Security Centre and the CSIRO’s DATA61 Cyber Security and Innovation Hub.

Tasmania

Home of the Defence Innovation Precinct, offering unique maritime facilities and expertise in defence science and research.

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra is home to the largest concentration of defence and national security agencies, assets and organisations in Australia such as CEA, DataPod and EOS.

New South Wales

Global defence companies such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems base some of their key regional operations in NSW.

Queensland

Queensland is known for combat reconnaissance vehicles, advanced aerospace manufacturing and maintenance, including new sectors like space industries, unmanned aerial systems, and hypersonics.

Upskilling and Retraining

Many roles in Defence Industry utilise transferable skills from other industries; however, if you are interested in building more specialised skills, check out some of the training options available to you.

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

VET qualifications are a fast, cost-effective tertiary education pathway designed to deliver workplace-specific skills and the latest industry knowledge for a wide range of occupations. Plus, previous learning and your work experience may be taken into account so you may not have to study subjects you have already passed.

Find courses at

Vocational Skill Sets

‘Skill Sets’ are training units developed in partnership with industry to address a defined need or specific licensing / regulatory requirement which may help you start your career in Defence Industry.
For Defence Industry, look for these skills sets offered by your local TAFE: Welding Supervisor, Fluid Power, Coded Welding Flux Cored Arc, Coded Welding Gas Tungsten Arc, Coded Welding Manual Metal Arc Welding (Pipe).

Learn more

Fee Free TAFE

Access to fee free VET courses prepare you for work in fast-growing industries needing skilled workers. Each state and territory government has different eligibility criteria for courses so be sure to check what is available in your area.

Find fee free TAFE study in your state or territory

AUKUS Nuclear-Powered Submarine Pathway

Australia's acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) capability is one of the greatest industrial endeavours Australia has ever undertaken. Acquiring SSNs will involve a whole-of-nation undertaking, creating around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years, across industry, government and at Defence.

Find out more

Government Support and Grants

The Government is working in partnership with SMEs and leading defence companies to support upskilling and retraining workers.

Growing your business

The Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS) provides a range of services to support defence industry businesses. These services help small to medium-sized Australian businesses grow their capacity to meet Defence capability needs and join global Defence Industry supply chains.

Grants for Defence Industry

If your small or medium-sized business is looking to invest in its defence-related capabilities, you can apply for a grant that will support a proportion of your costs depending on the grant.

Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities (SDIP) Stream

Between $50,000 and $1 million available to support eligible businesses
Up to 50% of the project cost
For building capabilities aligned with Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities (SDIPs)

Find out how to apply

Export Stream

Between $15,000 and $250,000 available to support eligible businesses
Up to 50% of the project cost
For investment in projects that build defence export capacity in priority defence capability areas as identified by the SDIPs

Find out how to apply

Security Stream

Between $5,000 and $100,000 available to support eligible businesses
Up to 50% of the project cost
To uplift or maintain the security controls needed to build defence capability in priority areas as identified by the SDIPs

Skilling Stream

Between $5,000 and $250,000 available to eligible businesses or Defence Industry Associations
Up to 50% of the project cost
For defence sector skill development to support defence priority capabilities as identified by the SDIPs, now and into the future.

JSF Industry Support Program

Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Industry Support Program - Sustainment Grants provide Australian businesses with between $50,000 and $250,000 to fund up to 50% of eligible projects to win work in the sustainment phase of the JSF Program.

Find out how to apply

JSF Industry Production and Modernisation

Between $150,000 and $1.5 million available for eligible businesses
Up to 50% of the project cost
For the development of new or improved capabilities that will win work in the production and modernisation phases of the Joint Strike Fighter Program

US-Australia International Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative

Up to $1 million per year over 3 years
Available to Australian universities involved in a successful submission to the US Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program

Find available roles

Where to next?

Find out more information on transitioning to a career in Defence Industry

Discover courses and training

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About Defence Industry

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