The Ai Group Defence Council is the peak national representative body for the Australian defence industry. The role of the Defence Council is to address significant issues that impact the defence industry.

The Defence Council is a forum for building and developing the shared interests of the industry through its National Executive and Working Groups which inform policy development, develop initiatives, and promote the shared interests of Defence and industry.

The Defence Council brings Government, Defence and defence industry together for the benefit of national security and the growth and development of the national defence industry.

National Executive

The activities of the Australian Industry Group Defence Council are guided by its National Executive which comprises the CEOs of Australia's leading defence companies, working with and supporting the ADF.

Working Groups

The Defence Council convenes various Working Groups and fora that bring Government, Defence and industry representatives together to inform policy development, exchange information with thought leaders and develop the shared interests of Defence and industry.

• The Exports Working Group covers Defence export issues, including export promotion as well as regulation and compliance.
• The Commercial, Contracting and Ethics Working Group covers Defence commercial, contracting and ethical issues.
• The Security Working Group covers Defence-related security, and to help build the security resilience of our industry.

Member benefits include

• Individual and collective approaches to advisers and decision makers in Defence and Executive Government on defence procurement and security policy issues
• Formal representation of defence and other government consultative forums
• Access and networking opportunities with other defence companies
• Representation to Government and Defence decision makers
• Submissions
• Major publications
• Surveys
• Email industry alerts

Ai Group member services include:

• Member advices: Ai Group's Member Advices, providing alerts on changes to awards, pay scales and allowances, rulings by Fair Work Australia and other business related issues.
• Practical resources: Members receive access to Ai Group's HR and Health and Safety Resource Centres to view articles, templates and tools to support your workplace compliance and people management.
• Workplace relations: Ai Group members have unlimited access to the Ai Group Workplace Advice Line, our national telephone advisory service for workplace related questions. Call 1300 55 66 77 during business hours, Monday to Friday.
• International and Business Advisory Services: Covering everything from Certificates of Origin to market visits and trade missions, the Ai Group trade and export team can provide advice and consulting services to expand your business overseas.
• Safety and Workers Compensation services: Ai Group has a representative on Safe Work Australia and provides practical tools to help you identify risks in your workplace to create a safe working environment for your business. A full range of accredited training courses are available.

Membership with the Ai Group Defence Council makes good strategic sense for your business and others in the industry.

For further information about the Defence Council, contact: Kate Louis (Head - Defence and National Security) at kate.louis@aigroup.com.au, or Cathrine Whitmore (EA to Kate Louis) on (02) 6233 0700 or cathrine.whitmore@aigroup.com.au. 

Defence Industries

Ai Group runs a number of Workplace Relations policy industry meetings on a sector basis. For more information on the Defence Industries meetings contact National Manager for Workplace Relations Policy Nicola Street.      

Do you employ members of the defence reserve?

Visit the Defence Reserves website to find out about your role, rights and responsibilities when you employ a member of the Defence Reserves. Or contact the Defence Reserves Support help line on 1800 803 485.