Australian Civil Space Strategy: A message from Head, Dr Megan Clark AC
Earth from a satellite
The Advancing Space: Australian Civil Space Strategy 2019–28 was announced by the Government on April 2, and sets out a 10-year path to guide the growth of Australia’s space sector.
The Strategy is built on 4 Strategic Space Pillars:
- International - open the door internationally
- National - develop national capability in areas of competitive advantage
- Responsible - ensure safety and national interest are addressed
- Inspire – build a future workforce
Activities under the pillars will be guided by the 7 National Civil Space Priorities that build on Australia’s areas of strength and address our challenges.
The first 2 National Civil Space Priorities – Position, navigation and timing; and Earth observation – received $224.9m and $36.9m respectively to Geoscience Australia in the 2018 Federal Budget, as well as funding to space activities through the CSIRO.
Communication technologies and services will be a focus in 2019‑2021, for example the funding of a mission control facility in Adelaide. 2021-2028 focusses on the remaining 4 priorities of Leapfrog R&D, Space situational awareness, Robotics and automation, and Access to space.
As a key initiative under the Strategy, the 2019 Budget announced the new $19.5 million Space Infrastructure Fund. The Fund supports space projects across Australian states and territories over the next 3 years that will enable the nation to compete in the global space economy.
Supporting the establishment of Australia’s space sector, the Australian Government has now committed over $73.2 million in funding, including $47.7 million to establish the Australian Space Agency (including the $15 million International Space Investment initiative), $19.5 million for a Space Infrastructure Fund and $6 million for the Space Discovery Centre.
We will report every 2 years on our progress towards our goal of tripling the sector’s contribution to GDP to $12 billion and creating an additional 20,000 jobs by 2030. Australia has a strong and dynamic space sector, with high ambitions, great potential characterised by creativity, entrepreneurship, and a sense of discovery. This Strategy provides the certainty of a long-term framework around which the sector can plan its activities towards the long term transformation and growth of the industry.
Dr Megan Clark AC
Head, Australian Space Agency
Read more
- The Minister announced Budget 2019-20: Further boost for Australian jobs and the economy – 2 April 2019
- Read more about the Australian Space Agency
Contact us
- General enquiries, email enquiries@space.gov.au
- Media enquiries, email media@space.gov.au
- Phone +61 2 6276 1166