Defence and manufacturing

The South Australian Government is prioritising growth in advanced manufacturing to support defence capability as well as other sectors including: clean energy, hydrogen, minerals, construction, food, health and space.

Manufacturing is a knowledge-intensive and value-adding capability that underpins 70 per cent of the world’s trade.

The South Australian Government is looking to drive greater productivity and complexity in our economy by moving up the value chain, exporting higher value-added goods and services.

That means the sector is transitioning towards more advanced, automated and sustainable production processes, requiring a workforce with specialised technical skills.

This supports a more resilient economy by increasing product diversity, while also strengthening Australia’s sovereign capabilities in response to changing global conditions and geopolitical uncertainty.

STEM qualified personnel like engineers, technicians and other skilled tradespeople will be in strong demand.

While DSD modelling did not indicate engineering was one of the top 10 occupations in demand across defence and manufacturing as a whole, we know engineering knowledge and skills will be in strong demand to deliver major defence projects, such as building SSN-AUKUS.

Engineering skills including nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering management, engineering assurance, electrical engineering, combat systems engineering and safety engineering will be needed in South Australia.

Top 10 occupations in demand and shortage status

* As defined in Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, 2022 Australian Update

** According to Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupation Shortage Lists (for South Australia)

Skill shortage definition: Shortages exist when employers are unable to fill or have considerable difficulty filling vacancies for an occupation - or significant specialised skill needs within that occupation - at current levels of remuneration and conditions of employment and in reasonably accessible locations. Jobs and Skills Australia 2024.