Invest and Grow
South Australia is the ideal location for space sector investment. It offers a strong business climate, an exceptional quality of life, a collaborative space ecosystem and a proud manufacturing heritage.
Establishing your business in South Australia
South Australia is the space to be and the ideal launchpad for space sector growth. These are just some of the advantages we can offer space-related businesses:
A collaborative ecosystem
Connected and collaborative industry
South Australia is home to a thriving network of over 100 space-related organisations, and an extensive network of space infrastructure and cutting-edge facilities that foster collaboration across government, academia and industry to advance space-relevant manufacturing, research and technology development.
Strategic location
South Australia’s end-to-end space ecosystem, including a strategic location that supports both launch and return missions, positions it as a strategic gateway for space development and collaboration.
Key industry events
Adelaide is the host city for the Australian Space Forum, the nation’s largest space industry event and boasts a collaborative space community nurturing connections through events like the SASIC Space Town Hall.
Research and Development Hub
A collaborative R&D environment fostered by leading institutions like the SmartSat Collaborative Research Centre and unique facilities such as the Extraterrestrial Environmental Simulation (Exterres) Laboratory and ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space.
Unique Capabilities & Infrastructure
Full Space Flight Ecosystem
We are the only state with a full end-to-end space flight ecosystem, including sovereign launch and world-first commercial re-entry capabilities.
End-to-End Capabilities
From cutting-edge R&D and advanced manufacturing to launch facilities, mission control, and downstream services, everything needed to build, launch and operate in space is right here.
Unique Infrastructure
Home to advanced space infrastructure including launch sites, ground stations, mission control and testing facilities.
Manufacturing and testing Facilities
Industry driven facilities as well as a future $20 million future space manufacturing facility, provide industry access to equipment and facilities essential to the sector’s future growth.
Strategic Hub
South Australia is home to concentration of national space capability, including more than 100 space companies, the Australian Space Agency, SmartSat CRC, Australian Space Discovery Centre and Responsive Space Operations Centre.
Strong Government Support
State-funded projects
South Australia’s space sector receives active government support to help secure space industry development. This includes projects like the Kanyini satellite and the $20 million future space manufacturing facility.
On-the-ground Assistance
The SASIC and Invest SA team is ready to support space-related investors that want to pursue growth and collaboration opportunities in the state.
A landing pad for invetment
Companies looking to establish a presence in the state can leverage the Defence and Space Landing Pad, a one-stop-shop that supports the expansion of national and international defence and space companies into South Australia.
Business & Lifestyle Advantages
Better for Business
We are the only state with a full end-to-end space flight ecosystem, including sovereign launch and world-first commercial re-entry capabilities.
Geographic Advantage
Our state is at the centre of the nation’s air, road and rail logistics networks – offering easy and efficient connections to national, South-East Asian and other global markets.
Lower Land Costs
Along with one of the nation’s best land planning systems and land linked to transport corridors and transport links, our residential, commercial and industrial property prices are among the lowest of the capital cities.
Talent Pool
Our state has a workforce of over 1,500 full-time employees dedicated to the space sector. With a strong pipeline of STEM talent, world-class universities and industry-ready graduates, the state is cultivating the next generation of space innovators, engineers and entrepreneurs.
Lifestyle and Liveability
Adelaide is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities. From the hills to the sea, the state offers the ultimate living experience for individuals and families at an affordable cost.
South Australian Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund
The South Australian Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund supports the development of innovative South Australian space capability. The fund supports projects that focus on proof-of-concept or delivery of space capability and have a clear commercial pathway.
Advancing space through
research and development
Underpinning South Australia’s space industry is a robust research and innovation sector that is ready to collaborate in the pursuit of advancing space technologies.
The SmartSat CRC is a consortium of universities and other research organisations, partnered with industry that has been funded by the Australian Government to develop know-how and technologies in advanced telecommunications and IoT connectivity, intelligent satellite systems and Earth observation next generation data services. The impact of this research will be to develop intellectual property and a specialist industry expertise that will spawn new businesses, create export economic value and generate new high-tech jobs for all Australians.
The Defence Innovation Partnership is a collaborative initiative of Defence SA, Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and South Australia’s three public universities, the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia. Bringing together a world-class collective of thinkers, practitioners and experts in defence research and development, each of the partners is committed to a model of genuine collaboration between governments, industries and universities.
The University of Adelaide, located in the heart of the CBD, is ranked among the top 1% of the world’s universities. It is also a member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight research-intensive universities and is considered among the world’s leading institutions of learning and innovation. The University of Adelaide offers a range of degree programs that support Australia’s thriving space sector.
The Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) is a global hub of photonics research based out of the University of Adelaide. It is one of five research institutes at the University, bringing together over 200 experimental physicists, chemists, material scientists, biologists, theoretical scientists and medical researchers. The institute takes a transdisciplinary approach to science and novel photonic, sensing and measurement technologies.
The Australian Institute for Machine Learning was established in 2018 after a co-investment by the Government of South Australia and the University of Adelaide. Located at Lot Fourteen, it is the first institute in Australia to be dedicated to research in machine learning and collaborates with industry to provide big data capability with the potential to make the nation safer and more secure. AIML offers a range of postgraduate academic programs managed through the School of Computer Science and undergraduate programs are in development.
The University of South Australia (Uni SA) is situated in the heart of the Adelaide CBD and has a reputation for preparing students with professional skills and training that can be applied in the workforce. Uni SA undertakes research inspired by real world challenges and opportunities, delivering social and economic benefit. The university partners with industry in a range of sectors, including space, and is connected to over 2,500 businesses, industries, governments and the communities around the world.
Flinders University is in the top 2% of the world’s universities, located between Bedford Park, the Adelaide CBD and the Tonsley Innovations District. The university is a founding member of Innovative Research Universities, a collaborative network of seven comprehensive universities committed to inclusive excellence in teaching and research and learning in Australia. Flinders University is well partnered with industry and offers a range of job ready courses for the space industry.
Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) brings together expertise from a range of disciplines around Australia and the world to address Defence and national security challenges. DSTG works closely with the Australian science, technology and innovation eco-system to deliver scientific advice and solutions that provide capability enhancement for Defence and the national security community. They also facilitate Science, Technology and Research (STaR) Shots, which is a range of aspirational science and technology missions that align strategic research to force structure priorities and deliver new capabilities.
Venture Catalyst is a six-month program aimed at developing and supporting early stage start-up founders, by helping them to plan and execute their journey towards building a globally scalable and investment ready business. The program is run by the Innovation Collaboration Centre, a start-up incubator borne out of Uni SA to support new startups and growing companies. The programs space category, sponsored by the South Australian Space Industry Centre’s (SASIC) Space Innovation Fund, is the state’s first program designed specifically for startups who are developing new services or products for the space industry.
SA Space Success Stories
Check out some of the latest successes from South Australia’s space ecosystem.
