About

The Illawarra Shoalhaven is a strong and growing defence region with unique capabilities in steel manufacturing, naval aviation and R&D. It is home to Australia’s centre for naval aviation with competitive business costs, a supportive environment and a highly skilled workforce.

Key advantages include:

Strategically located between Sydney and Canberra
Shellharbour regional airport has direct flights to Melbourne and Brisbane
HMAS Creswell is home to the Royal Australian Naval College
HMAS Albatross is home to the largest operational Naval establishment and the Navy’s only Air Station
Major centre for training Navy and Army helicopter crews
Eastern Exercise Area is adjacent to Jervis Bay
Department of Defence Beecroft Weapons Range
Wollongong is an hour south from both of Sydney’s international airports
Port Kembla a deep-water port, provides access to global markets and heavy industry capabilities
Leading Defence research and development capabilities through the University of Wollongong (UoW) including Defence Materials Technology Centre, Smart Infrastructure Facility, Steel Research Hub and the UoW Institute of Cybersecurity and Cryptology
Large skilled talent pool – 700,000 working adults within a 1 hour commute from Wollongong
Strong links and effective partnerships with University of Wollongong, TAFE NSW, local high schools and industry deliver skills and workforce outcomes
A network of supportive defence industry business, government, education and professional services

Growing defence industry capability in the Illawarra Shoalhaven for over 15 years

We advocate on behalf of industry to all levels of government
We promote local industry capabilities at key industry briefings and trade shows
We facilitate assistance from local, state and federal governments

Growing defence industry capability in the Illawarra Shoalhaven for over 15 years

5 ways Illawarra and Shoalhaven Defence Network will help your business thrive