Space and astronomy

The Australian Government is transforming our space and astronomy industries to make space for Australia’s future.

Making space for Australia’s future

Space technologies and services – like emergency management, weather forecasting, internet access and GPS – benefit all Australians.

The Australian Space Agency is committed to:

  • advancing Australia’s role as a responsible and sustainable actor in civil space
  • creating an environment for the space sector to grow
  • supporting space activities and technologies that inspire and improve the lives of Australians. 

The agency is a specialist division of our department with their own website. Learn more about their activities below.

Australian Space Agency

Learn how the agency coordinates civil space matters across government and supports the growth of Australia’s space industry.

Australian Space Discovery Centre

Be inspired with stories of innovation, curiosity and technology from the space sector—in person, from home or the classroom.

Space funding and initiatives

A range of programs connect Australian business and research organisations with international space agencies and the space ecosystem.

Space regulations

We regulate Australian civil space and high power rocket activities. We also engage internationally on space regulation.

Space partnerships

We enter into agreements with other nations and businesses to identify opportunities and grow Australia’s space capability.

Space careers

Set your sights on a career in Australia’s space industry. Explore career pathways, people in the sector and jobs.

Australian Space Agency priorities

Access the agency’s strategic objectives, areas of opportunity for sector growth, reports and partnership agreements.
Explore publications

Collaborating on global astronomy projects

Australia and the world’s astronomers need access to increasingly large and complex telescopes to answer today’s big science questions.

We partner with other countries and our domestic research sector on projects and opportunities to build cutting-edge technology and capability.

The SKA project in Australia

We are co-hosting a global project to build the world’s largest and most capable radio telescopes.

Optical astronomy in Australia

We are supporting a 10-year strategic partnership with the European Southern Observatory.

Meet Australia’s Astronomer-at-large

Professor Fred Watson AM
Astronomer-at-large
Fred uses his expertise as a science communicator and public advocate to inspire people’s interest in astronomy, astrophysics and science.

Latest news

More news
Nov 2023 Australian Space Agency

Launching the Australian Space Agency website

The Australian Space Agency and Australian Space Discovery Centre have moved. Visit space.gov.au for all the agency’s information, publications, news and events.
Nov 2023 Australian Space Agency

Competition to name Australia’s lunar rover

Australians have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to name an Aussie-built rover that will go to the Moon. Voting on 4 shortlisted names is now open.
Oct 2023 Australian Space Agency

Australia and US formalise Technology Safeguards Agreement

The Hon Dr Kevin Rudd AC, Australia’s Ambassador to the United States signed the treaty-level agreement in Washington.
Aug 2023 Australian Space Agency

Changes to Space (Launches and Returns) Rules

Amendments to the General Rules and High Power Rocket Rules came into effect on 17 August 2023. The amendments have removed most ‘not a related party’ requirements.
Jun 2023 Australian Space Agency

Supporting Aussie space technologies to take off

The Australian Government is backing a series of local space innovations, including those that can help address climate change.
Mar 2023 Australian Space Agency

Space industry partners chosen for Australia’s first Moon mission

Two consortiums of local space businesses and researchers will design rovers for Australia’s first mission to the Moon in partnership with NASA.