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Department of Defence, Australian Government

Australian Defence Export Office

Defence export programs

Team Defence Australia

Team Defence Australia provides Australian defence industry with international exposure through tradeshows and targeted trade missions. Companies participating in Team Defence Australia activities have had success directly through sales, increase in international contacts and networks, introduction to key international decision-makers and enhanced international profile.

The Australian Defence Export Office will manage the Team Defence Australia program from 1 July 2018. This will include maintaining the program of Australian defence industry attendance at trade shows and trade missions. The Office will work with the Centre for Defence Industry Capability, Austrade, state and territory governments, foreign militaries and global defence contractors to promote and advocate for Australian companies in overseas markets. The events are usually led by a senior reservist military officer.

The Office provides eligible companies with the opportunity to exhibit on the Team Defence Australia stand free of charge. Austrade and some state and territory governments may also provide grants to assist with export promotion – contact your state or territory government to find out if there is assistance available for you.

The Centre for Defence Industry Capability currently manages the program, including event registrations and providing a range of training and mentoring options in the lead up to an event, such as presentation skills training, perfecting the quad chart and cultural awareness training. You can visit the Centre for Defence Industry Capability website for Team Defence Australia to:

  • view or register for upcoming Team Defence Australia events
  • find out more about international support and exports
  • enquire about advice and support.

Australian Military Sales

The role of Australian Military Sales is to support Australian sovereign capability and military sales programs through:

  • International Government-to-Government sale, gifting or other transfer of surplus and obsolete Defence articles.
  • International Government-to-Government purchase of Australian origin, sensitive technology, Defence articles.
  • Supporting Australian defence industry to export to foreign government customers.

By leveraging relationships across the military diplomatic community, Australian Military Sales can facilitate opportunities for Australian defence industries to utilise Defence’s network of national and international military partners to identify sales opportunities thereby improving and enhancing the promotion and export of products and capabilities.

The current Australian Military Sales Equipment Catalogue was launched on 16 February 2017 by the Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP. It provides information on ADF surplus equipment for sale across the maritime, land and aerospace domains to foreign government customers.

Advice to Foreign Governments on surplus ADF equipment and inventory may be obtained by following the attached link and completing the Expression of Interest form. Note: This form is for Foreign Government use only.

Global Supply Chain Program

The Global Supply Chain Program involves working with multinational defence companies, or ‘primes,’ to identify opportunities for Australian companies within their international supply chains. This allows small and medium enterprises to access markets and opportunities that they would not otherwise have been able to.

The Centre for Defence Industry Capability manages the Global Supply Chain Program on behalf of Defence and has oversight of the seven prime contractors involved in the program.

Advice and grants for Australian businesses

The Centre for Defence Industry Capability and Austrade provide industry development and export advisory and facilitation services. Austrade provides advice to Australian companies to grow internationally and achieve export success. Companies are also encouraged to speak with a Centre for Defence Industry Capability defence industry export adviser to determine the most appropriate organisation to provide initial assistance.

Advice and grant services to Australian companies by Centre for Defence Industry Capability include:

  • Advice on export opportunities;
  • Supporting trade missions and the Team Defence Australia initiative;
  • Supporting major Defence capital equipment projects;
  • Sourcing commercial opportunities for Australian defence industry;
  • Identifying capabilities from non-defence sectors which could support Defence capability;
  • Financial assistance (grants, loans);
  • Resources (country profiles, case studies, advice and research); and
  • Communications and outreach/training events.

Grants are also available to eligible companies:

  • A Capability Improvement Grant supports the implementation of business improvement activities recommended through a Centre for Defence Industry Capability advisory.
  • Austrade’s Export Market Development Grants encourages small and medium sized Australian businesses to develop export markets and increase international marketing and promotion. Contact Austrade for more information.
  • State and territory governements also provide financial assistance for various export promotion activities. For more information visit the Centre for Defence Industry Capability website.

Defence Export Facility

The Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (Efic) is Australia’s export credit agency. It can provide specialist financing solutions for Australian businesses when their bank is unable to help. The Defence Export Strategy includes a $3.8 billion Defence Export Facility, administered by Efic. This aims to provide industry with the confidence to identify and pursue new opportunities.

For more information please refer to the Efic Defence Export Facility website

Defence Export Forum

The Australian Defence Export Office will establish a Defence Export Forum as a part of the Defence-State and Territory Government Industry Advisory and Engagement Forum. The purpose of the Defence Export Forum is to provide input to the development of export campaigns, to coordinate export advocacy efforts across all levels of government, and to minimise duplication of resources. For more information, please contact the Office.

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