Space | Austrade International

Australia’s space sector takes off

Australia’s space industry combines emerging technologies and ideal geographies. We are growing into a hub for in-space manufacturing and on-orbit servicing. The industry is worth around A$5 billion per year and growing fast. Australia has:

ideal locations for launch into all orbits
a growing space infrastructure, including new space ports and return locations
great locations for ground stations, mission control, observation facilities and communications
arrangements with key global space agencies: NASA, the UK Space Agency, JAXA and European Space Agency.

The Australian Space Agency is the lead agency for developing and coordinating our commercial space industry. It also facilitates international engagement.

Australia offers world-leading technical expertise and ideally located facilities. International agreements permit secure collaboration with space partners, such as the US, the UK and Europe. Our advantages include:

proximity to the equator, offering lift advantage to geosynchronous orbits; southern latitudes offer access to polar and sun-synchronous orbits
a strong and growing research base in space-related research and development
clear skies, low noise and low light interference deliver easy observation of satellites, space debris and space weather
streamlined regulation helps companies align with key partners.

Australia’s space industry already exports to international markets. We support national and international space missions. Australia has a competitive advantage in 7 areas.

Access to space
Earth observation from space
Communications technologies and service
Robotics and automation on Earth and in space
Position, navigation and timing
Space situational awareness and debris monitoring
Leapfrog R&D.

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Space database, capabilities and documents

Australian Space Industry Capability Database

Developed by the Space Industry Association Australia (SIAA) in partnership with Austrade, The Australian Space Agency, Office of Defence Industry Support and SmartSAT CRC. The database has interactive data and visualisations of the Australian space sector, showing its scale and capabilities. It also has information on the space industry workforce and company profiles. More about the Australian Space Industry Capability Database.

Snapshot of R&D Space Capabilities in Australian Universities (document)

Provides a snapshot of Australia’s space ecosystem in the research and development area. It includes the types of programs, facilities and expertise that Australia possesses. It has particular emphasis on university capabilities in Australia. To request a copy of this document please contact: space.events@austrade.gov.au

UK-Australia Space Bridge Soft Landing Zones (document)

Soft-landing zones are space industry hubs and clusters. They were established under the UK-Australia Space Bridge. They help individuals or companies establish a presence in the UK or Australia. To request a copy of this document please contact: spacebridgeuk-au@austrade.gov.au

News

Australian space industry: a star on the rise

Find out how Australia’s specialist world-leading capabilities are driving growth in the space industry and launching new opportunities for business.

Southern Launch completes first rocket launch from Koonibba Test Range

Southern Launch has completed the first launch of German company HyImpulse’s suborbital rocket from its Koonibba Test Range.

Incentives, grants and support

The Australian Space Agency helps Australian businesses and research organisations work with international space agencies and established programs.

The Australian Government is providing A$150 million over 5 years (2021–2026) for the Moon to Mars (M2M) initiative.
Space funding will be part of a $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) under the ‘Enabling Capabilities’ priority area. Investment proposals may be eligible for debt finance, equity finance or guarantees from the NRF.
The A$392.4 million Industry Growth Program is open to SMEs in the space defence sector.
Space businesses may be eligible for the Research and Development Tax Incentive (R&DTI).

The Northern Territory is developing a launch industry. Space businesses looking to establish infrastructure may be eligible for Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) financing.

Snapshot

Investment

$3 billion investment into Australia’s space sector 2018–2023

The industry

640 organisations in the Australian space industry in FY 2023.

Space employment

The Australian space sector is worth $6.4 billion and employs over 15,435 people.

Public/private sector funding

Approx. A$1.1 billion invested in Australian space organisations and projects since 2019.

Sources:
1. Australian Space Agency, key data
2 & 3. Satellite Communications and Astronautics in Australia - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029) IBISWorld
4. For example, Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement Grants

Australian Space Infrastructure

Map of Australia showing locations of space priority areas

Events

The Andy Thomas Space Forum: a bi-annual event, 24–25 July, South Australia.
The Southern Space by the Space Industry Association of Australia: for space industry and key government stakeholders.
The Australian Space Summit and Exhibition: International Convention Centre, Sydney, 28–29 May, 2024.
The Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum – APRSAF: the 30th Annual Meeting (APRSAF-30), Perth, Australia, November 26-29, 2024.
The International Astronautical Congress – 2025: Sydney; a key global gathering of academics, industry, space agencies, and other stakeholders in the space sector.

The Australian Government is forward leaning and wants our space ports to become preferred launch venues. Australia is keen to develop local manufacturing and embed Australia’s space innovators in global supply chains. Strong ties with major space agencies deliver access to data, programs and global supply chains. They include the UK-Australia Space Bridge and the Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA).

AUKUS and the QUAD also involve collaboration and participation in space initiatives, such as:

US Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability project – designed to provide continuous global monitoring of the geosynchronous orbits of space objects. See the article; New Defence space capability to boost regional security.
The $4 billion Defence Satellite Communication System Program (Joint Project 9102 Phase 1), currently the largest space program in Australia.
Australia’s Defence Space Strategy which also sets the trajectory for the Department of Defence's space efforts to 2040.

Space-related research and development is a key strength for Australia. The Australian Space Agency is the lead organisation in civil space in Australia. It encourages global partnerships and collaboration with world-class experts.

The SmartSat CRC is a consortium of universities and research organisations who partner with industry on space projects.
The Australian Space Data Analysis Facility (ASDAF) works with SMEs and researchers to help them work with space data. This includes Earth observation data.
The Australian National University has established the National Space Qualification Network. It provides end-to-end payload testing services to manufacturers.
The Australian Space Manufacturing Network (ASMN) helps companies build space parts and vehicles in Australia.
The Government will invest $3.4 billion over the next decade to establish the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) – a key element of the Defence innovation, science and technology program that will focus on defined missions.
Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO welcomes businesses and research partnerships in space. It is open to new projects and ideas.

Contact

space.events@austrade.gov.au