The Hunter Region is the prime meeting place of innovation industry and lifestyle
Strategically positioned in proximity to the multi-nodal transport infrastructures of Sydney and Newcastle with established R&D facilities and a highly experienced, high-skills workforce ready for immediate deployment, the Hunter region is ideally situated for companies and enterprises of any size seeking to contribute to the sustained development of Australia’s defence capabilities.
Located in New South Wales, 30 kilometres north of Newcastle, RAAF Base Williamtown is Australia’s premier fighter pilot training base, housing most of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighters and employing over 4,500 people.
Port of Newcastle is Australia’s deepwater global gateway, the largest on the nation’s East Coast. It is more than a port. It exists to build Australia’s prosperity with responsible, integrated and innovative supply chain solutions.
Situated within the Hunter Valley, NSW, the Singleton Military Area (SMA) is comprised of Lone Pine Barracks and the Singleton Training Area (STA). Lone Pine Barracks is located approximately 8km south of the township of Singleton.
Download the 2026 Hunter Investment Prospectus and discover why the Hunter is considered an economic powerhouse – and a sure investment for your defence-related enterprise.
The Hunter Region is home to a host of small-to-medium enterprises and business that play a key role in the economic health and industrial capability of the region. From the manufacture of mission-critical components to the provision of parts and equipment at truly industrial scale and the delivery of capital-city class business services, the economy, ingenuity, and innovation of the Hunter region is second to none.
the power of many
HunterNet, founded in the early 1990s, is a co-operative of over 120 businesses and leaders driving growth and success in the region through bringing SMEs, multinational primes, academia and government to the same table.
the voice of hunter business since 1886
Formerly the Hunter Business Chamber, Hunter Business strives to make the Hunter a better place to live, work and do business. As the largest regional peak business group in Australia, it endures as an indispensable network resource for the region.
the intelligence of the hunter
In addition to the world-recognised facilities and outcomes of the University of Newcastle and TAFE NSW, the Hunter region is home to one of the fastest-growing STEM-educated workforces thanks to the efforts of RDA Hunter.
leading defence, aerospace and innovation precinct
Directly adjoining RAAF Base Williamtown and Newcastle Airport, Astra Aerolab provides a defence and aerospace ecosystem for Defence primes – including BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Raytheon – as well as many significant SMEs.
Connecting People. Connecting Places.
Newcastle Airport is the second largest airport in NSW, adjoining RAAF Base Williamtown and Astra Aerolab, Newcastle Airport provides crucial travel services to the defence industry and caters to the needs of the Royal Australian Airforce, Defence Primes and SME’s based in Williamtown and Newcastle, and services civilian aviation travel of circa 1.2 million passengers per year.
The latest intelligence on events, announcements, trends and developments in the Hunter Region and in Australia’s defence industry.
Applications are now open for the 2026 DINAMIC Commercialisation Bootcamps, a two-day program supporting researchers and innovators to engage with the defence sector.
Delivered in Adelaide, Canberra and online, the bootcamps are designed for participants with limited commercialisation experience who are developing a product or service for defence applications. The program focuses on engagement with the defence market, development of a value proposition, and consideration of pathways to market.
The Hunter Defence Conference attracts over 280+ delegates and keynote speakers from the defence sector nationally. It is unique within regional Australia and key to promoting regional defence industry capability – presenting a strong and unified voice that is heard throughout NSW industry, the NSW Government, nationally, and importantly, by Federal Government representatives.
Innovators across Australia’s defence ecosystem are invited to put their ideas forward, with submissions now open for the Land Forces 2026 Innovation Showcase.
Held as part of the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition, the Innovation Showcase including the Innovation Pitchfest and Awards provides a national platform for both research projects and commercial innovations. It is an opportunity to present leading-edge ideas to an audience of potential partners, investors and customers, while competing for significant cash prizes.
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