Defence Jobs Queensland

The Queensland Government is prioritising the development of the defence industry. We're delivering a range of services supporting the growth of the sector to enable sovereign capability and national security.

Defence Jobs Queensland:

  • supports national and international prime contractors to find defence capabilities
  • helps companies working or wishing to work in defence to up-skill and make connections with defence contractors and suppliers
  • assists the Australian Defence Force to expand its presence in Queensland.

Queensland has a range of capabilities, projects and facilities across a number of focus areas, which Defence Jobs Queensland promotes and develops.

Achievements

  • $180 million allocated to support development of a Common User Facility as part of the expanded Cairns Marine Precinct, with a further $180 million funding secured from the Australian Government
  • 18 businesses from Queensland's defence, aerospace and space industries shared in more than $420,000 to achieve industry certifications through round four of the Defence and Aerospace Industry Development Fund
  • In 2024-2025, the Defence Industry Hubs:
    • hosted eight defence/aerospace capability workshops with 118 participants
    • Supported 20 Central Queensland businesses at the Introduction to Defence Manufacturing workshop
    • Connected 90+ SMEs with Defence Primes at Meet the Major Contractor and Meet the Buyer events – boosting supply chain access
    • Supported nine Queensland firms to complete the Boeing Capability Uplift Program, with five of these securing new contracts with Boeing, boosting competitiveness and investment.
  • Promoted Queensland’s capabilities at national and international annual and biennial events, including hosting industry partners on the Queensland Government Stand at:
    • Avalon Airshow 2025, Victoria
    • Land Forces 2024, Victoria
    • RotorTech 2024, Queensland
    • MRO Asia-Pacific 2023 and 2024, Singapore
    • Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023, New South Wales
    • MRO Australasia 2023 and 2024, Queensland (hosted by Queensland Government
  • Released the Queensland Defence, Maritime, Aerospace and Space Industry Skills Plan

Air

Queensland has a strong history in the aviation and aerospace industries with companies and facilities supporting a range of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft and the development of advanced uncrewed systems.

The Queensland Government has worked hard to develop aviation and aerospace capability in the state and continues to support events such as the Avalon Airshow and RotorTech and the MRO Australasia trade shows to showcase Queensland industry capability.

Land

Queensland companies have expertise in the manufacture, modification, maintenance, repair, sustainment and overhaul of a wide range of vehicles. We also manufacture technologically superior communication systems in the state and develop force protection, combat training systems and composite components.

A testament of Queensland's land defence, heavy vehicle and advanced manufacturing capabilities is Rheinmetall Defence Australia's selection of Queensland as the location for its Australia-New Zealand headquarters and military vehicle centre of excellence to deliver the LAND 400 Phase 2 contract to supply Australia's new armoured vehicles.

Sea

Queensland has the largest slipway in northern Australia, the capacity to lift vessels up to 1120 tonnes and slip vessels up to 3000 tonnes, and our companies can refit and repair a range of defence, commercial and recreational vessels and provide through-life support.

We have further capabilities in communication and control systems, fibre composites manufacture, and design and engineering support.

The Queensland Government has been a longstanding advocate of the maritime industry. This support is continued through participating in events such as the biennial Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition.

Innovation

Queensland organisations conduct world-class research in hypersonics, surveillance technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics and uncrewed systems. We also have capability in microelectronics and microwave, radio frequency communications, geospatial and simulation technologies, and have autoclaves supporting fibre composite development.

Visit the Defence Jobs Queensland website for more information.

Last updated: 24 Jul 2025