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 MySkills.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 over $270 billion of 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

JobTrainer

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

Find JobTrainer courses in your state

Naval Shipbuilding needs you!

The Government’s Naval Shipbuilding College can help workers identify what specialist or bridging training is required to transition into a new career in shipbuilding.

The 2017 Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan anticipates a required workforce of around 15,000 people across new vessel acquisition, sustainment and the supply chain.

To learn how you may be involved in naval shipbuilding please register your interest through the Naval Shipbuilding College website.

Register today for your free chat with our team.

Find out more Register now

Government Support and Grants

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

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 between 50 to 100 % of your costs depending on the grant.

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.

Defence Global Competitiveness Grant

A grant of up to $240,000 to help your business invest in projects addressing barriers to exporting and build your defence export capability.

Find out how to apply

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

AUSMURI Program

Up to $1m per year over three years are available to Australian universities involved in a successful submission to the Australia-United States Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (AUSMURI) program.

Find out how to apply

Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry Grant

A grant of up to $500,000 to help your business with skills development and training in defence industry. More than 90 businesses are already working to grow their skills base after receiving funding to upskill and train their workforces.

Find out how to apply

Find available roles

Where to next?

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

Discover courses and training

Learn more

About Defence Industry

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Join the Naval Shipbuilding Workforce

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