Defence security firm expands into Melbourne as Victoria’s industry surges

In Short:
– Victoria is vital to Australia’s defense, leading in advanced manufacturing and technology expertise.
– A defense firm is expanding to Melbourne, tapping into its skilled workforce and significant defense sector share.

Victoria is cementing its role in Australia’s defence industry, with advanced manufacturing and technology capabilities attracting new investment as national defence spending increases.

Defence security advisory firm De Stefano & Co has opened a new Melbourne office, marking a long-term investment in the state’s growing defence sector.

Speaking to Ticker, Emilio De Stefano said Melbourne’s deep talent pool and position as Australia’s second largest defence hub made it a strategic location for the firm.

Victoria is home to the country’s largest advanced manufacturing precinct in southeast Melbourne, giving the state a key role in the defence supply chain.

While major shipbuilding and sustainment programs will be concentrated in South Australia and Western Australia, Victorian businesses can provide specialised manufacturing and technology capabilities, particularly in areas where other states face workforce constraints.

The state is also well placed to contribute to emerging AUKUS technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, electronic warfare, hypersonics and drones.

Victoria’s defence sector generated $2.4 billion in Gross Value Added between 2024 and 2025, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, up more than 40% from 2020 to 2021.

De Stefano & Co’s Melbourne expansion comes as defence suppliers face increasingly complex security requirements, evolving foreign intelligence threats and regulatory frameworks spanning Australia, the US, Europe and the UK.

De Stefano said Victoria must more actively promote its capabilities and specialist supplier network to ensure local businesses are positioned to benefit from major defence investments and work with Prime Defence contractors.

The firm plans to build partnerships with government, major defence contractors and industry bodies as Victoria strengthens its position as a key part of Australia’s future defence and technology ecosystem.