The Australian Defence Force will formally establish a purpose-built space operations workforce for the first time, recognising the growing strategic importance of space as a contested domain and expanding Defence’s high-tech career opportunities.
Unveiled during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in Townsville on Tuesday, the move will see the introduction of targeted recruitment and specialist training programs from next year to grow Australia’s sovereign capability in satellite communications, space domain awareness, and missile warning.
Defence Personnel minister Matt Keogh said the new workforce would ensure Australia remains competitive in a “congested and contested environment”.
“Our region is rapidly evolving, and space is a critical operational domain,” Mr Keogh said. “Space capabilities will play a critical role in the execution of activities as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 alongside existing operational domains of maritime, land, air and cyber.
The dedicated workforce is part of a broader push outlined in the 2024 Defence Workforce Plan to grow emerging capabilities, including cyber and space.
It will include roles such as space operations officers and space operations specialists, with new direct-entry pathways into the Royal Australian Air Force from 2026.
The specialised workforce will support a broad spectrum of missions, including satellite operations, space control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and environmental monitoring.
The force structure is intended to complement commercial space sector growth and work in close collaboration with local industry and international partners.
Space capabilities were featured prominently during this year’s Talisman Sabre, a biennial multi-domain military exercise involving regional partners.
During operations, Australian personnel in the Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) Pacific Cell used commercially available satellite data to support real-time military operations.
The JCO Pacific Cell also brought together representatives from Japan, New Zealand, Canada, and South Korea, with participation from the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and India. The Bureau of Meteorology’s space weather team provided support during the exercise.
“People are at the centre of our advantage,” Mr Keogh said. “Defence is building a sustainable space workforce through targeted recruitment, career pathways and joint training.”
He added these highly specialised roles will provide opportunities to shape Australia’s space operations.
The decision aligns with Defence’s broader strategy to strengthen sovereign capabilities and build resilience across priority areas identified in the 2023 Defence Strategic Review.
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