April 2025 newsletter

Hear from key government and industry leaders as they unpack current and emerging opportunities across Defence, oil and gas, mining, renewables, and critical mineral sectors.

The briefing will be held on Monday 28 April 2025 from 1pm to 4pm. For more information regarding registration, please contact defencent@nt.gov.au

The DefenceNT Facilitated Symposia is a unique platform to engage in targeted discussions on small business participation, regional investment, innovation, and research and development. The event will feature short panels, forums, and case studies, with the rooms focused on different themes, delivering key insights into defence sector trends, challenges, and emerging global market opportunities.

The Symposia will be held on Wednesday 30 April 2025. Learn more about each topic and register

Land Development Corporation is hosting a bus tour to showcase major industrial and strategic infrastructure investments to drive economic growth and service Defence needs in the Top End. This includes East Arm Wharf, Darwin Ship Lift, Marine Industry Park, Truck Central and Holtze Industrial Estate.

The site inspections will highlight the evolution of specialised industrial estates and infrastructure, including heavy vehicle corridors, port and rail assets to help you do business in the Territory.

The bus tour will take place on Thursday 1 May 2025 between 8.15am and 12.00pm. Email your interest to enquiries@landdevcorp.com.au.

This experience is an opportunity to undertake some casual networking while experiencing the beauty of a Darwin Harbour sunset. This cruise will take participants on a tour around Darwin Harbour to showcase some of the Territory’s enabling infrastructure from a unique perspective.

Event Details
When: Thursday, 1 May | 5.00 PM – 8.00 PM
Where: Darwin Harbour
Dress Code: Business Casual

Security and Estate Group, within the Department of Defence, have recently launched the Defence Infrastructure Panel – Major Construction 2025–2030 (DIP-MC), a first of its kind standing offer panel arrangement for large scale construction and capital facilities projects valued at $200 million or more.

DECnet has provided a comprehensive overview of the panel members and how industry can be better engaged. Major Construction Panel – Your Complete Guide

Companies who are pre-qualified to carry out work in the NT include Sitzler, Acciona Construction Australia, BMD Constructions, Built, Fulton Hogan Construction, Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction and Seymore Whyte Constructions.

Photo:  The Nackeroo Airstrip in the NT as part of the United States Force Posture Initiatives Northern Territory Training Areas and Ranges Project. Copyright Defence Australia Image Library 2024.

BAE Systems Australia has launched a comprehensive guide for companies looking to enter Australia’s defence industry. This resource provides valuable insights into navigating the sector, understanding procurement processes, and meeting industry requirements.

Designed to support new entrants, the guide highlights key opportunities, regulatory considerations, and pathways to collaboration with Defence and major primes.

This is an essential tool for businesses seeking to contribute to Australia’s national security and defence capability.

Download a digital copy

The Territory’s future workforce has received a major boost with the official opening of the new $10 million Trades Training Centre at Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus.

This state-of-the-art centre will play a pivotal role in developing a skilled, agile and capable workforce to meet the growing demands of industry across the Territory as we rebuild our economy.

The 2,400-square metre, two-storey building includes a heavy equipment precinct, assembly and workshop spaces, an industrial sandpit, and modern classrooms, all designed to provide hands-on, industry-standard training environments.

The Centre will cater to over 500 students per year and offer qualifications in key trades including construction pathways, carpentry, plumbing, roof plumbing, and electrotechnology.

CDU TAFE will also have the capacity to expand offerings into painting and decorating, wall and floor tiling, plastering, block laying and waterproofing.

Defence construction across Northern Australia presents opportunity for the construction sector. Successful project delivery hinges on positive workforce development initiatives such as this.

Photo: Charles Darwin University 2025.

The Australian Naval Classification Authority (ANCA) will be hosting a free information session in Darwin on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, focusing on the newly authorised Australian Naval Classification (ANC) Framework.

Local maritime industry is strongly encouraged to participate for this session to enhance knowledge on:

• The latest developments in the ANC Framework and progression of ANC Rules
• A deeper understanding of Defence Seaworthiness and its connection to the ANC Framework
• A unique opportunity to engage directly with Assistant Secretary, Mr. Colin Dagg CSC, and
• Network with industry and Defence representatives.

For full event details and registration, visit: Australian Naval Classification Authority Forum – Darwin

RAAF Darwin Refresh Program Project

Multiple work packages have now been released for tender by Laing O’Rourke. Tenderer information is available on the RAAF Darwin Refresh Program Gateway page. Subcontractors can approach the listed companies to offer their support and expertise on these key projects.

More Information click here. 

LAND8710PH5 Littoral Manoeuvre Program – Facilities

The purpose of LAND8710 Phase 5 is to deliver the facilities required to meet the Littoral Manoeuvre Program capability requirements in locations including Southeast Queensland (SQ), Northern Queensland (NQ) and the Northern Territory (NT). The Project scope includes delivery of maritime facilities (including, berthing, mooring and vessel loading / unloading) and landside facilities (including office accommodation, living-in accommodation, homeporting facilities, training facilities and other base support functions) in each location.

More Information: Visit Austender

AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge 2025: Undersea Communications and Autonomy

Scope: AUKUS partners are seeking to research and develop innovations to enable the synchronisation and teaming of multiple undersea systems. You are invited to submit a response to Stage 1 of this competition via this this Invitation to Register

Closing Date: 28 April 2025

More Information: Visit AUKUS02-2025-ITR: AusTender

Defence Search and Rescue Service Contact

The Commonwealth Government, through the Australian Defence Force (ADF), is responsible for the provision of Search and Rescue (SAR) support for all ADF and Visiting Foreign Military Forces personnel when undertaking training or operations within the Australian Search and Rescue Region (SRR). Tender responses are now sort to support a whole-of-Defence SAR solution.

For more information, visit AusTender

Information sort – Logistics C4I capability for Joint Project 8218 (JP8218)

Under the JP8218 project Defence seeks to understand the availability and maturity of available Logistics Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence Capability (C4I) capability in Australian industry.

For more information, visit AusTender

Industry Grants

Defence provides a range of grants to support industry. These grants assist Australian small and medium enterprises in expanding to meet Defence capability needs and join global Defence industry supply chains.

Current information on available grant programs can be located at defence.gov.au.

Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program 2025–26

The Australian Government is inviting organisations via a demand driven process to apply to deliver services under the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program from 2025 to 2026. BEST Program is intended to assist the veteran and defence communities.

Closes 28/04/2025

For full details and requirements, visit GO7571: GrantConnect

Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Grants – Round 26

CRC is an open and competitive grants opportunity that funds collaborations to solve industry-identified problems for industry, research, and the community. Eligible activities include new research, concept activities, conferences, workshops, and communications industry-focused education and training.

Closes 29/04/2025

For full details and requirements, visit GO7463: GrantConnect