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Investing in Queensland's defence industry
Queensland is a premier defence industry destination for the Asia-Pacific region. There are many opportunities for defence-related businesses to set up in Queensland, and there is strong Queensland Government support for the industry.
Queensland is recognised as the:
- centre for Australian defence aviation and aerospace capability
- centre for Australian rotary wing (helicopter) capability
- developing hub for research and development (R&D) of defence-related technologies including unmanned aircraft systems
- developing hub for heavy vehicles to support defence requirements through the Queensland Heavy Vehicle Network
- prime location for Australian Defence Force (ADF) training and testing of new technologies.
Queensland is the second largest ADF employer in Australia with 27% of ADF personnel residing in the state. Queensland is home to:
- 2 of Australia's 3 Army Beersheba Brigades
- the Army Aviation Centre, Oakey
- Australia's largest Army base, Lavarack Barracks, Townsville
- the ADF's largest base, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley
- HMAS Cairns
- the ADF's premier training facility at Shoalwater Bay in Central Queensland.
Watch the video on Queensland: Australia's next-generation defence supplier.
This guide explains the benefits of investing in Queensland's defence industry.
Advantages of bringing a defence business to Queensland
As Australia's front line for defence industries, Queensland has the reliable infrastructure and skilled workforce that can benefit your defence business. There are many advantages to bringing your defence business to Queensland.
Accessible locations
Strong logistics support is provided for the major Australian Defence Force (ADF) bases in Queensland, including a strong road and rail network. Queensland is also strategically located as Australia's gateway to the Asia-Pacific region.
A growing number of international companies are establishing headquarters or operations in Queensland thanks to our strong manufacturing industry expertise in defence domains including:
- aviation and aerospace
- electronics
- maintenance, repair, overhaul and sustainment of air, land and sea assets
- heavy engineering and fabrication
- research and development
- education and training
- vehicle construction.
These sectors are well supported by a network of clustered smaller companies, physical infrastructure, and sophisticated education and training facilities.
Low business costs
The business operating environment in Queensland is cost competitive with considerably lower labour, utility and real estate expenses compared to other locations in the Asia-Pacific region. Costs in Queensland also compare favourably with other Australian states.
Learn more about low business costs in Queensland.
Infrastructure and facilities
Queensland has reliable infrastructure and a commitment to further development.
Read about specific facilities supporting the air, land and sea defence sectors.
Workforce
The Queensland Government is committed to helping new and emerging industries, and traditional industries, to train, retain and attract qualified staff and upgrade their workforce skills base to remain globally competitive.
A number of programs and educational facilities support our growing defence sector. This ensures Queensland's highly-skilled workforce is evolving to meet changing defence industry needs.
Learn more about Queensland's highly skilled workforce.
Research and development (R&D)
The Queensland Government's commitment to innovation is delivered in collaboration with:
- leading research organisations such as CSIRO and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation
- universities
- technology diffusion agencies such as QMI Solutions
- industry.
Read more about innovation in Queensland's defence industries and other examples of innovation, research and development in Queensland.
Economic growth
Queensland's economic growth is forecast to accelerate from 2½% 2016-17 to 3% in 2018-19.
Queensland Government support
The Queensland Government recognises defence as a priority industry and seeks to position the state as a premier defence destination for the Asia-Pacific region.
Contact Defence Industries Queensland for more information about how the Queensland Government can help your business.
Also consider...
- Learn more about defence industry support in Queensland and Queensland's defence industry.
- Read about the Queensland Heavy Vehicle Network.
- Find out about development projects in Queensland.
- Learn about the benefits of doing business in Queensland.
Leading defence businesses in Queensland
Queensland has a strong network of businesses that are involved in, or supply to, the defence industry. Companies with offices in Queensland include:
- Airbus Group Australia Pacific – offers maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of small-to-medium gas turbine engines at its production and assembly facility
- Boeing Defence Australia – is headquartered in Queensland and has key capability in tactical and airlift aircraft, strike fighter sustainment services, integrated logistics support, and surveillance programs
- Boeing Research and Technology Australia – is also headquartered in Queensland
- Combat Clothing Australia – is a privately owned company specialising in the design and manufacture of a wide range of military and paramilitary equipment and accessories
- Craig International Ballistics – is a Queensland-based manufacturer and leading supplier of body armour to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and police forces. The company also produces a range of ballistic protection products including armour panels, vehicle spall liners, armoured vehicles, body armour training inserts and transparent armour frames
- Elbit Systems Australia – is a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd that serves the ADF and has capability in battlefield management systems, network management systems and interfaces with airborne and naval platforms, unmanned systems, electronic warfare systems, cyber security and electro-optical targeting systems
- EPE – specialises in the provision of equipment, training and maintenance for Counter IED and EOD, ECM, CBRN Response technology, and also supports broader Force Protection, Security and Threat Mitigation Requirements
- GE Aviation Systems Australia – is headquartered in Brisbane and is the largest GE Aviation Systems facility in the Asia-Pacific region. The company provides commercial and military jet engines, overhaul services, avionics, flight management and performance based navigation
- Haulmark Trailers Australia – are specialists in the design and manufacture of quality military trailers used for a variety of applications. The company was awarded a LAND 121 contract to supply 3,000 new trailers to the ADF
- Hawker Pacific – is a leading independent organisation providing aviation sales and product support
- L3-Micreo – is a world leader in the design and manufacture of radio frequency and photonic components for electronic warfare and radar systems
- NIOA – is Australia's leading, privately-owned small arms supplier that services the commercial, law enforcement and military markets
- Northrop Grumman Australia – is a leading provider and integrator of autonomous, C4ISR, cyber, logistics and strike systems and solutions, and is one of Australia's largest defence services companies providing support to a range of major ADF capability systems
- Raytheon Australia – provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems; as well as a broad range of mission support services; and operates an avionics maintenance and logistics centre in Queensland
- RGM Maintenance – services defence and other vehicles with repair and maintenance, bulk liquid and fuel handling, equipment repair and certification, drive train component rebuild and balancing, paint and panel repair, and sand blasting
- Rheinmetall Defence Australia – is part of the Rheinmetall Group, an international prime contractor based in Germany that specialises in defence and automotive technology. Rheinmetall is the largest supplier of military vehicles to the ADF and is establishing its Australia-New Zealand Headquarters and Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Ipswich in South East Queensland
- Sikorsky Australia (a Lockheed Martin company) – provides MRO, spares and support for Sikorsky and Bell civil and ADF helicopters in the Asia-Pacific region
- TAE Aerospace – Asia-Pacific's premier gas turbine MRO and gas turbine test cell provider. The company supports regional, general and defence aviation with engine, avionics, and wheel and brakes maintenance
- Teledyne Defence Australia – a niche radar research and develop branch of Teledyne Technologies US that specialises in MIMO (multiple input multiple out) imaging radars and phased array radar for defence and homeland security applications, as well as Unmanned Aerial Systems
- Tote Systems Australia – is a Queensland-based manufacturer and supplier of police and security equipment whose customers include the United Nations, security services, corrective services, medical services and the Australian Department of Defence
- Vector Aerospace – provides MRO services for fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft
- Volvo Group Australia – Volvo Group Governmental Sales Oceania specialises in vehicle sales to customers in defence, internal security and emergency services, offering mobility solutions up to 42 tonnes to support tactical, logistical and armoured missions. Group brands include ACMAT, Mack Defense, Panhard and Renault Trucks Defence.
Also consider...
- Learn more about defence industry support in Queensland and Queensland's defence industry.
- Read about the Queensland Heavy Vehicle Network.
- Find out about development projects in Queensland.
- Learn about the benefits of doing business in Queensland.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021