Victoria's defence industry employs around 29,000 workers across 2,500 businesses.18
Jobs in demand include welders, boilermakers and fitters and turners who have relevant skills for maritime shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing projects.
Skills important to the industry include electronics, carpentry, plumbing, engineering, boilermaking and fabrication.
Increased government investment in defence-related projects presents many employment opportunities for Victorians, including in emerging roles like naval architects and engineering managers.
Occupations in demand in defence
| Occupations in demand | Pathways into the sector |
|---|---|
| Welders | Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade |
| Boilermakers | Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade |
| Fitters and turners | Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade |
Source: DJSIR analysis.
Emerging occupations in defence
| Emerging occupations | Higher education pathways into the sector |
|---|---|
| Naval architects | Bachelor of Engineering |
| Penetration testers | Bachelor of Computer Science |
| Engineering managers | Bachelor/Master of Engineering |
Source: Kinexus (2025), Defence Industry Insights – 11th edition; Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (2025), Victorian Defence Vision Statement.
Updated