Department of Defence overview

The Department of Defence protects Australia’s sovereignty, borders, people, and national interests through the Australian Defence Force (ADF), defence intelligence agencies, capability acquisition, sustainment, science and technology, and international defence partnerships. Together, we stand united for our nation’s resilience, security, and future.

Federal leadership and national defence

At the federal level, Defence leads full-spectrum ADF operations across the Navy, Army, and Air Force, alongside joint capabilities and strategic intelligence. By guiding capability acquisition, science and technology development, and international security partnerships, the Commonwealth safeguards Australia's borders and territorial integrity while uniting communities nationwide under a shared commitment to national safety.

State partnership and domestic readiness

State governments work in close alignment with Defence to deliver domestic readiness and emergency response coordination. From joint policing and counter-terrorism measures to critical-infrastructure protection, regional training facilities, logistics corridors, and advanced defence-industry manufacturing, state jurisdictions provide the operational backbone that powers Australia's frontline resilience.

Local community strength and veteran care

Local councils and regional communities are essential for ADF recruitment, operational readiness, and community resilience. By supporting local recruitment pathways, dedicated veteran networks, specialised defence-industry precincts, and resilient municipal infrastructure enabling ADF movements, our neighbourhoods ensure service members and their families remain supported at every step.

Problems

  • Slow procurement cycles

  • Capability gaps in air, maritime, cyber, and space

  • Over‑reliance on foreign supply chains

  • Workforce shortages

  • Outdated systems and platforms

  • Weak sovereign manufacturing

  • Fragmented federal–state coordination

  • Rising regional threats

  • Underfunded science & technology

  • Slow intelligence modernization

Policy Changes (Australians Unified)

Australians Unified will introduce:

  • National Sovereign Capability & Readiness Act

  • Mandatory sovereign manufacturing targets

  • Modernised procurement legislation

  • Unified cyber‑defence and signals intelligence framework

  • Defence workforce expansion incentives

  • National defence‑industry precincts

  • Transparent capability readiness reporting

  • Space and autonomous systems investment mandate

Unified Reforms

  • National Defence Coordination Hub (Local–State–Federal)

  • Sovereign manufacturing pipeline (ships, vehicles, drones, munitions)

  • Modernised procurement and sustainment systems

  • Unified cyber and signals intelligence operations

  • Defence workforce capability pipeline

  • Integrated science & technology ecosystem

  • Space and autonomous systems development

  • National logistics and readiness network

Delivery Plan

Short‑term

  • Remove procurement bottlenecks

  • Publish capability readiness dashboards

  • Boost cyber and intelligence staffing

  • Begin sovereign manufacturing uplift

Medium‑term

  • Implement Defence Coordination Hub

  • Deploy autonomous systems programs

  • Expand defence‑industry precincts

  • Modernise sustainment and logistics systems

Long‑term

  • Fully sovereign defence capability

  • Integrated cyber, space, and intelligence architecture

  • Modernised ADF force structure

  • Sustainable national readiness system

Budget

Federal: Defence operations + capability acquisition + sovereign manufacturing + cyber + intelligence + science & technology

 

State: Co‑funded defence‑industry precincts + emergency management + critical‑infrastructure protection

Local: Recruitment pathways + resilience programs + veteran support + local infrastructure

FAQ

Why is Defence critical? It protects Australia’s sovereignty, people, and national interests.

Why are procurement cycles slow? Outdated systems, complex processes, and foreign dependency.

How will AU fix capability gaps? Through sovereign manufacturing, modernised procurement, and integrated intelligence.

How will AU strengthen cyber and signals intelligence? Unified operations, workforce expansion, and modernised systems.

How will AU improve readiness? National coordination, transparent reporting, and integrated logistics.