Schedule and Agenda

Informal networking opportunity with peers, primes, and government representatives

This session will outline the challenges and opportunities shaping Australia’s evolving defence landscape and define the summit’s objective of strengthening SME participation.

As Australia accelerates its push towards sovereign capability, this opening keynote will examine the strategic priorities shaping the nation’s defence agenda. From capability uplift through to deepening international cooperation, this address will highlight how SMEs fit within the broader mission to secure Australia’s future industrial and technological edge. You’ll learn how to best align SME innovation with current and emerging Defence needs.

Access to finance remains one of the greatest hurdles from SMEs entering or scaling within the Defence industry. This practical session brings together leading financial organisations to demystify funding pathways, explore tailored defence finance solutions, and share insights on managing growth in a project-driven sector. Join us as we discuss:

• • Navigating finance and funding for Defence contracts.
• • Managing cash flow for complex procurement cycles.
• • Building financial resilience for long-term Defence aligned growth.

This comprehensive session explores the suite of government programs and support mechanisms designed to empower Australian SMEs. From international trade and export pathways through to navigating security clearances, you’ll gain direct insights into how to engage with key agencies in the defence ecosystem. Key points of discussion include:

• • Accessing trade and export opportunities with Team Defence Australia.
• • Leveraging ODIS for tailored SME support and capability uplift.
• • Navigating AGSVA clearance requirements to meet Defence standards.

Integration into the supply chains of Defence enterprises is a major milestone for any SME. It’s a decisive leap forward that demands preparation, precision, and persistence.

In this panel, procurement and supply chain leaders from Defence enterprises will share what they look for in SME partners. You’ll gain an unvarnished view of how they assess, select, and support their SME partners, so you can learn to align with their expectations, processes, and frameworks. We’ll also explore how Defence enterprises are evolving their supplier engagement strategies for greater inclusion, transparency, and resilience across the national industrial base.

Key points of discussion include:

• • What Defence enterprises look for in SME partners, and how to demonstrate compliance, quality, and delivery capability from the outset.
• • Understanding prequalification, tendering, and onboarding processes across Defence programs.
• • How SMEs can offer specialised technologies, materials, and services that address capability gaps and complement larger programs.
• • Maintaining visibility, communication, and strong performance once engaged within a Defence enterprise supply chain.

Australia’s defence industry does not operate in isolation, but instead thrives by aligning with allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. As the global security landscape becomes more interdependent, collaboration is both a strategic necessity and a growth opportunity for Australian SMEs.

In this panel, international representatives and trade delegates from key partner nations will provide candid insights into the evolving dynamics of defence collaboration. From interoperability standards and export readiness through to shared technology development, this discussion will equip you with a practic understanding of how to engage with allied markets. Key discussion points include:

• • Understanding the frameworks that govern defence trade and cooperation with Australia’s key allies.
• • Practical steps for navigating international regulatory environments when entering allied supply chains.
• • How Australian SMEs can contribute to shared research, technology, and capability development projects.

For many SMEs, growth opportunities are emerging faster than internal capability can keep pace. Expanding into new markets, securing funding, navigating compliance obligations, and building workforce capacity all require a clear understanding of where to prioritise effort and investment.

This session brings together industry leaders and subject matter experts to explore the practical strategies SMEs can use to scale sustainably and position themselves for long-term growth. The panel will examine key challenges across finance, export readiness, workforce development, compliance, and partnership building, while highlighting the support mechanisms and opportunities available to growing businesses.

You’ll leave with practical insights into overcoming operational bottlenecks, strengthening capability, and identifying the partnerships, funding pathways, and strategic decisions that can support your next stage of growth.

While Australia’s Defence sector is a catalyst for industrial capability, the innovation landscape it inhabits is part of a much larger ecosystem.

In this closing address, we explore how breakthroughs in automation, AI, data analytics, and systems integration are reshaping not only Defence operations but every complex supply chain.

You’ll gain insights into the trends that are defining the next twelve months of industrial progress, and how to capitalise on them.

Opportunity for informal discussions with presenters, primes, and government representatives