May 2025 newsletter

NT Defence Week 2025 marked the fourth year of the Territory’s flagship defence industry engagement program. Since its pilot in 2022, the initiative has grown in both scale and impact—reinforcing the Northern Territory’s strategic value to national defence, regional security, and sovereign industrial capability.

This year’s program attracted over 1,600 registrations and brought together 209 businesses, including around 300 participants from interstate and 40 from overseas. This growing national and international interest reflects the NT’s rising profile in Australia’s defence and strategic landscape.

Program highlights included the annual Australian Defence Magazine (ADM) Northern Australia Defence Summit, Defence Base Tours, Industry Briefings, Live Fire Exercises, and Industry Site Visits. The 2025 program also featured an expanded social calendar, including VIP networking events and a sunset cruise—creating more opportunities to connect and collaborate.

Proceeds from ticketed events during NT Defence Week 2025 contributed over $3,000 to support veterans’ charities.

The success of NT Defence Week is built on strong partnerships. Sincere thanks go to our local Senior Australian Defence Force Officers, AIDN NT, Charles Darwin University, the Chamber of Commerce NT, ICN NT, Master Builders NT, the NT Indigenous Business Network, and the Office of Defence Industry Support. Their continued support ensures the Week delivers meaningful outcomes for both industry and community.

A huge thank you as well to our 2025 sponsors: Thales Australia, Laing O’Rourke, NT Business Events, and DECnet.

Planning is already underway for NT Defence Week 2026—we look forward to seeing you there.

This year’s Chief Minister’s Defence Industry Awards and the Minister for Veterans’ Veteran Community Awards recognised the extraordinary people and businesses powering the Northern Territory’s growing defence ecosystem.

Winners were announced in front of more than 300 guests at the AIDN NT Gala Night—a signature event of NT Defence Week.

With a record number of nominations across all categories, the calibre of finalists reflected the strength, diversity, and strategic depth of the NT’s defence and veteran sectors. Judges noted the fierce competition and outstanding contributions across the board, but a few nominees stood out for their innovation, impact, and leadership.

Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Defence Industry

Large Business Category

Finalists: NORSTA Maritime, CareFlight, Thales Australia
Winner: Thales Australia
Thales was recognised for its long-term investment in the Territory and consistent delivery of high-quality services. Judges commended its strong partnerships across the Defence ecosystem, its infrastructure investments at East Arm, and its operations at HMAS Coonawarra and RAAF Darwin. Thales’ commitment to building a sustainable local workforce solidified its standing as a reliable and valued partner in the north.

Small Business Category
Finalists: Griffin Marine Services, Micks Ally Fab, Bear Claw

Winner: Bear Claw
Bear Claw impressed judges with its rapid growth and successful delivery of major civil works across the Defence estate. From a $56 million project at RAAF Darwin and Tindal to a new workforce camp in Katherine, Bear Claw’s Territory-first approach and focus on local jobs and training stood out.

Indigenous Business Category

Finalists: Wurrba Pty Ltd, Hardy Fencing, AKJ Services
Winner: AKJ Services
AKJ was awarded for its delivery of over $150 million in Defence projects, deep engagement with local communities and strong commitment to Indigenous employment and cultural representation. Judges also highlighted AKJ’s in-house civil engineering capability and bold industry leadership.

Minister for Veterans’ Veteran Community Awards

NT Veteran Employer of the Year

Finalists: INLOC Group, Mates4Mates, NORSTA Maritime

Winner: INLOC Group
With more than half its workforce made up of veterans, reservists, or ADF family members, INLOC was recognised for fostering a veteran-positive culture, providing peer support networks, and offering clear career development pathways.

NT Veteran Employee of the Year

Finalists: Dr Peter Zimmermann, Dr Christopher McLean, Jason Coates, Otto Kainulainen

Winners: Dr Peter Zimmermann and Dr Christopher McLean (Veterans Medical Group)
The co-founders of Veterans Medical Group were jointly recognised for translating their Defence medical experience into a healthcare model tailored for veterans and their families, with a strong focus on integrated care, peer support, and long consultations.

Veteran Community-Owned Business of the Year

Finalists: Veterans Medical Group, Articulate Business Solutions, Mad Snake Café

Winner: Veterans Medical Group
VMG was recognised not just as a healthcare provider, but as a passionate advocate for the veteran community—offering tailored services, promoting education and awareness, and delivering support that extends well beyond medicine.

Congratulations to all nominees, finalists, and winners for your remarkable contributions to the Territory’s defence and veteran communities.

Sincere thanks to AIDN NT for hosting an unforgettable evening celebrating leadership, service, and innovation.

Photos from the evening can be viewed online.

Photo: Naomi Hill Photography.

The Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition is the region’s leading event for naval defence and commercial maritime engagement. It brings together senior leaders from Defence, industry, government, academia, and technology to support Australia’s national interests and strengthen regional security partnerships.

DefenceNT is running a competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) process to select Northern Territory businesses, peak bodies, and industry groups to join the official NT delegation to Indo Pacific 2025, held in Sydney from 4–6 November 2025.

As part of this year’s program, DefenceNT is again partnering with the Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN) to offer added value for delegates through a pre-event Industry Tour, providing additional networking and learning opportunities ahead of the main expo.

If you’re part of the NT’s maritime, defence, or advanced manufacturing sectors and want to expand your networks, showcase your capabilities, and explore new opportunities—this is your chance to be involved on the national stage. You can express your interest to be involved through this link. Applications close 16 June 2025.

Finding the right talent is crucial for any business—especially in the fast-growing defence industry.

Territory WorkerConnect is a free platform connecting employers with over 8,000 job seekers who are eager to live and work in the Northern Territory, including those with skills relevant to defence, advanced manufacturing, construction, logistics, and more.

Key Features:

• Post job vacancies at no cost
• Search and filter candidate profiles
• Highlight your business to a global audience

Whether you're supporting major Defence projects or building local capability, WorkerConnect can help you find the right people to grow your team.

Visit jobs.theterritory.com.au to start connecting with potential employees today.

Image: NT Government, 2025.

CSIRO’s STEM Skills in Defence Industries Program is calling on STEM professionals to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and technologists. By sharing your expertise, you’ll help Year 10 and 11 students—many from regional and remote areas—discover the exciting career pathways available in Australia’s defence sector.

Virtual Work Experience Supervisor

As a Virtual Work Experience supervisor, you’ll guide a small group of students through a week-long project, checking in online twice daily at times that suit you. You’ll:

• Share your STEM career journey, insights and advice
• Hone your mentoring and coaching skills
• Work with CSIRO to design a real-world defence-focused project
• Showcase Your Career

CSIRO is also producing ‘My Defence Industry Career’ videos and curriculum resources. Register your interest to:

• Highlight the day-to-day work in your role
• Help educators integrate defence-related STEM topics into teaching
• Reach a wide audience of students keen to learn about your field

Ready to make a difference? Visit jobs.csiro.au/stem-defence to apply as a Virtual Work Experience supervisor or to register for our video series. For questions, contact education@csiro.au.

Join us in shaping Australia’s future STEM workforce!

Veterans Community Grants

The aim of the Veteran Community Grant is to fund projects, events, programs and initiatives that recognise, celebrate and support the Northern Territory veteran community.

The grants will accept applications until 31 May 2025 or until allocated funding is fully utilised. Applications will be assessed on a first come first served basis. The grant offers funding of up to $15,000 per applicant to provide for an event or activity which benefits the Northern Territory veteran community.

Projects, programs, events and initiatives will be considered are assessed on how well they meet the following criteria:

1. Assist in improving the physical or emotional wellbeing of the veterans’ community
2. Foster opportunities for community building and social connection of the veterans’ community
3. Accessible to a broad number of members in the veterans’ community
4. Promote services and supports available in the Northern Territory
5. Assist to recognise and/or celebrate the veterans community

For-profit businesses are eligible to apply. For more information contact Veterans Engagement and Support - Annette.rudd@nt.gov.au

Texas-based construction company Sullivan Land Services Co. (SLSCo) has been awarded a US$239 million contract by the US Department of Defense to deliver major infrastructure upgrades at RAAF Base Darwin. This design-bid-build project will deliver critical works to support joint operations and training between US and Australian forces—reinforcing the Northern Territory’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific.

The scope includes enhancements to base facilities that will improve interoperability and operational readiness, reflecting the deepening Defence relationship between the United States and Australia.

This project represents opportunities for local businesses providing services and supplies in the construction sector.

Photo:  Marine Rotational Force - Darwin troops conducting training serials from RAAF Base Darwin to Bradshaw Training Area. Defence Photo Library 2024.

The Chief Minister’s Northern Territory Export Awards are back for their 32nd year, celebrating the Territory businesses making their mark on the global stage.

The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of local exporters across 14 industry categories. Winners from each category will go on to represent the NT at the Australian Export Awards, gaining national recognition for their work.

The awards are delivered by the Chamber of Commerce NT with support from Austrade and the Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations.

Nominations close: 13 June 2025
Apply now: exportawards.gov.au/en/apply

Photo: 1CSSB prepares the WarpSPEE3D printer for part assembly during Exercise Buffalo Run at Mount Bundey Training Area. SPEE3D was a previous winner of the NT Export Awards. Defence Photo Library 2024.

AusTender is free to use and where you can find Australian Government opportunities, annual procurement plans and contracts award announcements.

BenchOn access opportunities with government agencies and Primes through BenchOn Industry Portals.

ICN Gateway Australia and New Zealand’s largest network of suppliers and projects.

SAM.Gov the official US government system for contracting opportunities and contract award reports.

Construction projects currently in contact

• EST00346 Tindal Redevelopment | EST00347 KC-30A Facilities
• PAF160700 Squadron Operations Facility | Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin
• PAF180400 Squadron Operations Facility | Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal
• RAAF Darwin Refresh Program 

Pre-release notice - Air Transport Standing Offer

The Commonwealth of Australia, as represented by the Department of Defence, is seeking to establish a Panel to provide domestic and international Air Transport services. Capability will be sought to support of military Exercises, Operations and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief within Australia and overseas. Services required under the Panel are anticipated to include provision of aircraft and movement of cargo and/or passengers.

A Request for Tender will be released on AusTender from mid-July 2025.

For more information visit AusTender 

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

Printing and distribution - Defence Newspapers

Defence is seeking providers for printing, packaging, and distribution of Army News, Navy News, and Air Force News (approx. 25,000 copies per edition).

Closing date: 3 June 2025

For more information visit AusTender.

Australian Fuze Technology Development

Defence seeks a lead industry partner to co-develop and manufacture two prototype fuzes in collaboration with DSTG. Focus is on sovereign design and manufacturability

Closing date: 4 June 2025

For more information visit AusTender

ASCA Mission Syracuse – Counter-sUAS Solutions

A two-stage procurement process for sovereign technologies that enhance Defence’s counter small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS) capability.

Closing date: 6 June 2025

For more information visit AusTender

Design & Construction – Muirhead North, NT

Summary: Defence Housing Australia is seeking tenders for the design and construction of five homes in Stage 1A of the Muirhead North development, Lee Point.

Closing date: 18 June 2025

For more information visit AusTender

Defence Search and Rescue (SAR) Contract

Defence seeks a provider for a whole-of-Defence Search and Rescue solution supporting ADF and foreign military operations across Australia's SAR region.

Closing Date: 7 August 2025

More Information visit AusTender

UXO Website Mapping Services

Defence is undertaking the procurement to deliver a web mapping application that achieves Defence’s requirement to present UXO records to the public and maintain the application.

Monitor AusTender for delivery timeframes.

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.

NT Women in Defence Association Launch

Celebrate the official launch of the Women in Defence Australia (WiDA) NT Chapter with an evening of connection, collaboration and community.

Thursday 5 June | 5–8pm ACST

Wharf One, 19 Kitchener Drive, Darwin City

Hear from defence and national security leaders. Grow your network and be part of positive change

RSVP: Register via Eventbrite
Learn more: womenindefenceassociation.org

Defence Capability Update: Virtual Information Sessions

Stay up to date on the One Defence Capability System and recent Defence policy updates.

Session 1: Tuesday 10 June 2025

Session 2: Tuesday 24 June 2025

Learn about strategic alignment and changes to capability planning

Online session, hosted by VCDF Group

Register: Email your preferred session to odcs.info@defence.gov.au

Defence Export Controls Compliance Session

A practical online session to help businesses understand their obligations under Australia’s export control laws and implement best-practice compliance measures.

Event Highlights:

Thursday 12 June | 1:00–1:45pm ACST

Online – Microsoft Teams

More information: defence.gov.au

Leveraging Success: From Start-Up to Export

This info session aims to help local businesses access support and grow into global markets.

Thursday 5 June | 3–5pm

Development House, 76 The Esplanade, Darwin

Featuring: Darwin Innovation Hub, Chamber NT, Austrade, TradeStart & more. Learn about grants, export support, and the Export Awards, followed by a networking session.

RSVP by 1 June: trade@nt.gov.au

Defence Estate Capital and Sustainment Works Program – Industry Briefing

The Department of Defence's Security and Estate Group invites Industry to attend the bi-annual Defence Estate Capital and Sustainment Works Program Industry BriefingThis briefing aims to provide  Industry with an update on Defence estate matters, including planned upcoming procurement opportunities across capital facilities and infrastructure projects.

Wednesday 23 July 2025

Location: Canberra and Online

For more details and how to register, visit AusTender.