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The South Australian Space Industry Centre welcomes the Australian Government’s commitment to establishing a national space agency as an important first step in growing the Australian space sector.

Dr Megan Clark AC will lead the nation’s first-ever Australian Space Agency, to be initially co-located with the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science in Civic from July 1.

The announcement follows the release of the Expert Reference Group Report, which outlines ambitious plans to triple the size of Australia’s domestic space industry to $12 billion and create up to 20,000 new jobs by 2030.

SASIC Chief Executive Richard Price congratulated Dr Clark on her appointment and said a national space agency would help grow Australia’s share of the global US$330 billion industry.

“I welcome the Australian Government’s commitment to establishing a national space agency, which is the next milestone on our exciting journey toward a strong, sustainable space industry,” he said.  

“Over the past 18 months, we have been supporting the Space Industry Association of Australia in advocating for an Australian space agency to grow local participation in the global space economy, drive investment and create jobs of the future.  

“South Australia has a proud history in space related work with a innovate and dynamic space industry and a strong advanced manufacturing and technology skills base, making us ideally placed to play a lead role in this important industry as it grows worldwide.”

The Australian Government will invest $41 million in funding to grow Australia’s space industry. This includes $26 million in seed funding over four years to establish an Australian Space Agency and $15 million for an International Space Investment project.

A further $260 million to develop world-leading satellite infrastructure and technologies, including better GPS for Australian business and regional Australians and improved access to satellite imagery. 

Premier Steven Marshall said that the South Australian Government is committed to ensuring that this state will be a key and increasingly prominent player in the space industry nationally and internationally.

“Growing a space industry and capturing the opportunities in this sector is a key priority for this government,” he said. 

“Our aim is to make South Australia the undisputed champion of space industry, and position ourselves to play a key role in tripling the size of Australia’s domestic space industry to up to $12 billion by 2030.” 

South Australia has an innovative and dynamic space industry, and is home to over 60 space-related organisations and companies, along with 800 people working in the sector.