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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    South Australia's Defence Industry

    Meeting future demand starts now

    South Australian workers and businesses will play a critical role in our nation’s security to deliver some of the largest and most complex defence projects ever undertaken in Australia.

    Ensuring that South Australia’s defence industry can deliver these ambitious projects demands a concerted effort spanning government, industry, educational institutions and unions.

    The Australian and South Australian Governments are funding a suite of initiatives designed to build on the state’s existing industrial capability to develop a skilled and experienced defence industry workforce.

    This is good news for anyone looking for secure, well-paid and meaningful work in South Australia’s defence industry, with supported career pathways for existing defence industry workers, graduates, and students across the school, VET and higher education sectors.

    For South Australian defence industry and supply chain businesses, this significant investment is designed to secure the robust and capable pipeline of talent required for the future.

    Contribute to this national endeavour by engaging with government on the implementation of the SA Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan or host a prospective defence industry employee as an intern, trainee or apprentice.

    South Australia is entering the biggest defence growth period in Australia’s history

    More than 10,000 additional South Australian defence industry jobs are expected to be added to the pipeline by 2040.

    There is demand for people who are interested in: STEM, Engineering, trades; such as welding, electrical and construction, robotics, cyber, digital tech and advanced manufacturing.

    To prepare workers for AUKUS nuclear-powered construction at Osborne, an investment of $58 million from the Australian and South Australian Governments is supporting the implementation of the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan which aims to attract, train and retain workers from diverse backgrounds to the defence workforce.

    Current opportunities

    Defence industry and supply chain businesses

    Learn about workforce and capability-building opportunities to help your business capitalise on South Australia’s pipeline of major defence projects.

    Find out more

    School students

    Explore how South Australian students engage in STEM learning to launch their defence industry career.

    Find out more

    Workers and jobseekers

    Interested in securing a defence industry role or growing your current career?

    Bespoke education, training and career pathways are available to support your success in the state’s defence industry.

    Find out more

    The Defence Industry Connection Program

    Offering paid industry placements, the South Australian Government’s new Defence Industry Connection Program is designed to support university students into defence industry careers.

    Prospective students and host employers are now invited to learn more through Ai Group.

    View opportunities

    Nation-leading Degree Apprenticeship programs

    An Australian first, the unique degree apprenticeship model is designed to equip more South Australians with the STEM skills and experience required for defence industry careers.

    Students combine their university studies with paid industry placements (an apprenticeship). To date, two Degree Apprenticeship pilot programs have been established by local universities in partnership with government and industry.

    Hear from students undertaking a Mechanical Engineering qualification through Flinders University and Australian submarine company ASC.

    View more stories of our workforce development initiatives in action

    Defence industry workforce strategies

    SA Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan – 2025 Update

    Download the Action Plan (2025 update)

    SA Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan (2023)

    Download the Action Plan (2023)

    SA Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report (2023)

    Download the report

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