Opportunities abound
The foundation has been set for a future South Australian defence industry that continues to create jobs, drives investment, and supports the State’s economic transformation.
This sector includes a broad range of businesses engaged in a wide variety of activities including food production, defence equipment, metal fabrication, energy production and electronic equipment manufacturing.
Could our defence or manufacturing industries provide you with a fulfilling career pathway?
Occupations needed now in Defence and Manufacturing
- Contract, Program and Project Administrators
- Electrical Engineers
- Electricians
- Engineering Production Workers
- Management and Organisation Analysts
- Metal Fitters and Machinists
- Production Managers
- Software and Applications Programmers
- Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers
- Purchasing and Supply Logistics Officers
The landscape
Snapshot of a thriving sector
Defence
South Australia is well placed to continue to capture valuable investment opportunities in defence and manufacturing — from shipbuilding to cyber systems to science and research.
As set out on Defence SA’s website, the South Australia’s defence sector currently employs more than 14,000 people, with a further 10,000 jobs expected to be introduced in defence, plus thousands more in associated industries, over the next 20 years.
The AUKUS program will support the construction and delivery of next generation conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines to Australia’s defence force. This commitment has the potential to significantly increase demand for a range of both higher education and VET qualified workers.
At its peak, up to 4,000 people will be employed to design and build the infrastructure for the Osborne submarine construction yard. A further 4,000 to 5,500 direct shipyard jobs are expected to be created to build nuclear-powered submarines.
Manufacturing
The future of manufacturing in South Australia is expected to shift towards more high-tech, automated and sustainable manufacturing processes.
The South Australian Advanced Manufacturing Strategy released in October 2023 identifies the attraction, retention and development of a highly skilled and productive workforce as key to developing a globally competitive and productive manufacturing capability.
The Strategy highlights the importance of equipping learners with theoretical and practical industry skills.
Find your place
Take a deep dive into defence and Manufacturing careers
Careers in defence and manufacturing are more than you think. You don’t need to join the Defence Force to work in one of South Australia’s fastest growing industries. There are many pathways you can take to get the career you want in an industry you’ll love.
John's story
"I gained a lot of skills in a variety of different things... my maths skills have improved, hand-eye coordination. Working with welders you got to be quite steady.
I chose to be a Fabricator because it is something my Father did and I got a lot of inspiration from it and I enjoy doing it."
