PODCAST: Supporting Australian export strategies – Roland Stephens, Australian Trade and Investment Commission

Joint-capabilities
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By:
Roland Stephens

As the Australian government’s trade, investment and education promotion agency, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) assists Australian businesses of all sizes to navigate complex overseas markets and help facilitate global export.

As the Australian government’s trade, investment and education promotion agency, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) assists Australian businesses of all sizes to navigate complex overseas markets and help facilitate global export.

In this episode of Defence Connect Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Roland Stephens, senior industry expert in defence, advanced manufacturing and space at Austrade, to outline the government’s attitude towards defence and space exports, how he would characterise the Australian defence industry as a whole to potential investors, and the key skills required to get a business export ready.

Stephens also explains why risk management is such a critical skill for SMEs in the defence sector, the classic process of entering into a new market, and the grants that are currently available to support SMEs looking to expand internationally.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: PODCAST: Contested logistics and Australia’s defence industry priorities at Land Forces 2026, with Amentum Australia’s Kim Katheklakis
Episode 10: PODCAST: Containerised solutions and human-in-the-loop systems at Land Forces 2026, with IAI’s Maxim Zemer
Episode 9: SPOTLIGHT: Lockheed Martin Australia’s priorities, leadership and life after service, with Jeremy King
Episode 8: THE PROGRESS REPORT: Leadership, mentorship and life at sea – Commander Melanie Lennard on 17 years in the Royal Australian Navy
Episode 7: PODCAST: Australia’s munitions manufacturing push at Land Forces 2026, with NIOA Group’s Robert Nioa
Episode 6: PODCAST: EOS showcases new interceptor and layered drone defence at Land Forces 2026, with Lee Kormany
Episode 5: CONTESTED GROUND: The information advantage – how AI is reshaping influence, competition and power
Episode 4: PODCAST: Next-generation equipment at Land Forces 2026, with Aquaterro’s Graeme Bulte
Episode 3: SPOTLIGHT: Defence electronics supply chains, counterfeit components and shortages
Episode 2: PODCAST: AUKUS, China and Australia’s defence industrial future, with former prime minister Scott Morrison