Export opportunity – Australia space sector

Australia – space sector opportunity summary

Australia’s space industry is growing. The Australian Space Agency reports that the sector saw turnover of $4.5 billion AUD (around £2.3 billion) in 2021 and is ready to capitalise on the growing global opportunity.

The UK-Australia Space Bridge and Free Trade Agreement supports space sector trade and investment between Scotland and Australia. It also supports research and development and access to funding.

This creates scope for Scottish companies to tap into the Australian space market. Modern technology can help Scottish companies take advantage of Australia's size and geographic location.

Many of Australia's strengths and projected areas of growth are in downstream technology. It's an ideal location for various launch activities, such as suborbital rocket launches. It's also an attractive alternative access point to the northern hemisphere. 

We are actively engaging with the Scottish Space Leadership Council to identify potential suppliers. 

Scale of export opportunity 

The Australian government has set several ambitious goals for the space industry:

• Tripling the size of the sector to $12 billion AUD (around £6.7 billion) 
• Creating 20,000 jobs by 2030 
• Growing the sector at an annual rate of 8.5% 
• Reaching inbound investment of $1 billion AUD (around £550 million) 

Eligible companies

This opportunity is open to companies that can help deliver Australia’s strategy in the following fields:

• Communication technologies and services 
• Earth observation 
• Robotics and automation (on earth and in space) 
• Leapfrog research and development in situational awareness and debris monitoring 
• Position, navigation and timing 
• Access to space