'Isn't Defence all about the army?'
'Defence' might sound like army, navy or air force, but in fact the Defence industry includes a range of private companies focused on the research, development and production of technologically advanced products and services to support the Australia's armed forces.
South Australia is the Defence State - the hub of an industry that is at the cutting edge of new technologies, software and systems. It can offer you a fascinating, rewarding and well-paid career.
If you're interested in the technologies of the future, many of them are being worked on right now in the Defence industry. Some even come to have applications outside of the industry. Where do you think the internet came from?
For more info, see how Theo's passion for art and tech studies led him to a career in Defence or check out some of the areas you could work in:
Research
Like to get creative? Always coming up with new ideas? Innovation is critical in Defence, and the complex projects that researchers work on are often technically challenging and specialist products. You could be working in teams with lots of other specialists on projects and see them get built!
Typical careers: chemists; materials scientists; physicists; computer scientists; science technicians; lab technicians.
Development
If you're into gadgets and technology, Defence development could be the place for you. It involves developing systems and equipment prototypes for aircraft, shipbuilding, navigation systems and computer control systems, as well as manufacturing defence products for planes and submarines.
Typical Careers: aerospace engineers; chemical engineers; marine engineers; naval architects; materials engineers; mechanical engineers; computer programmers; software engineers; hardware engineers; drafts people; design technicians; engineering technicians.
Fabrication and Services
Like to get hands-on, making building or testing things? Once the research and development is done, the products, equipment and services need to be built. It involves all sorts of specialists putting together the equipment that will be relied on in the Defence sector.
Typical careers: managers; it specialists; integrators; technicians; electricians; boilermakers; mechanics; sheet metal workers; assemblers.
Where can I get more information?
With SA being the hub for Defence, there are lots of companies working in the industry that will be able to offer you a range of opportunities:
Need some inspiration?
Find out what
Ben Kidd and
Peter Drennan enjoy about their work.