Australia is taking an exciting leap into the future, and young Aussies have a new chance to work with cutting‑edge technologies and capabilities.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) announced today that it has opened direct‑entry recruitment for two brand‑new space careers: Space Operations Officer and Space Operations Specialist.
These roles are perfect for people who are curious, tech‑minded, and excited about working in one of the world’s fastest‑growing fields.
Advancing a skilled space workforce
Space is more than rocket science — it’s satellites that power your phone’s GPS, systems that help us predict the weather, and technology that keeps Australia safe.
In a media release issued today, Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh highlighted how this "small step into space operations means a giant leap in capability" for the ADF.
These exciting new roles will grow the ADF’s capabilities in space operations, a critical domain as we respond to the most challenging strategic environment since the Second World War.
This marks a significant step in building Australia’s sovereign space workforce.
~ Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh
The Minister further pointed out that the space workforce will progressively be employed across the full spectrum of space mission sets, which include:
- Satellite communications
- Position, navigation and timing
- Space domain awareness
- Missile warning
- Satellite operations
- Space control
- Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
- Environmental monitoring
By investing in people, skills and technology, Australia is stepping confidently into the future of space operations. These new roles are not only vital to Defence — they are shaping a national capability that will help safeguard Australia’s security, support innovation, and create long‑term opportunities for the next generation of Australian space professionals.
New specialist training centre unveiled
Space command is now recognised as an important defence domain alongside air, land, sea and cyber operations.
Successful applicants from the newly announced recruitment will undertake specialist space training at the Defence Space and Cyber School, located at a new dedicated facility, the Florence McKenzie Building at HMAS Harman in Canberra.
The building’s namesake, Florence McKenzie, was Australia’s first female electrical engineer, and a pioneer of modern signalling and technical military training, laying foundations for many of the technologies relied upon in modern space and cyber operations. A symbol that one person with the right skills can change the course of technology.
The purpose-built facility named in her honour provides a range of signals and cyber-focussed training and simulation courses for units across the ADF including the Army, Joint Operations Command and Joint Capabilities Group.
Today's announcement is followed by the selection of Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg as Australian of the Year for 2026. Katherine is the first professional astronaut to officially represent Australia and a reservist in the Royal Australian Air Force.
Space-shaped careers
There are many exciting career paths to follow right here on Earth, including in the Australian Defence Force.
Main image caption: Defence Force School of Space and Cyber patch.
Main image credit: Jay Cronan
