South Australia’s emerging space sector is set to receive another boost, with the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC) partnering with the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) to help local start-ups and small businesses expand their national profile and accelerate commercial growth.
Announced this week, the initiative will provide up to five eligible South Australian space start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises with a complimentary one-year membership to SIAA, Australia’s peak national space industry body. The program is funded by SASIC and aims to strengthen connections between South Australia’s rapidly expanding space ecosystem and the broader Australian space sector.
The partnership follows SASIC becoming a foundation member of SIAA, reinforcing South Australia’s position as one of Australia’s leading space hubs while creating new pathways for local companies to engage with industry, government, research organisations and potential investors across the country.
Successful applicants will gain access to SIAA’s extensive national network, policy and advocacy initiatives, industry events, market intelligence and collaboration opportunities designed to help early-stage companies commercialise technologies and access new domestic and international markets.
SASIC director Campbell Pegg said the initiative reflects the South Australian government’s continued focus on building capability within the state’s growing space industry.
“SASIC is committed to creating opportunities that help South Australian space businesses develop capability, build connections and access new markets,” Pegg said.
“Through this partnership with SIAA, local companies will be able to engage with a broad network of industry, government and research organisations, helping them identify new opportunities and strengthen their position within Australia’s growing space sector.”
SIAA chief executive officer Dan Lloyd said the agreement aligns with both organisations’ long-term vision of strengthening Australia’s sovereign space capability.
“The Space Industry Association of Australia is delighted to be partnering with SASIC in such a strategic manner,” Lloyd said.
“SASIC’s clear and consistent focus on building sovereign space capability aligns with SIAA’s long-term focus on accelerating Australia’s role in the Australian and global space ecosystem.”
SIAA chair Darin Lovett said South Australia’s sustained investment in the space sector was positioning the state at the forefront of Australia’s future economic and strategic growth.
“The South Australian government is to be commended for its far-sighted and consistent commitment to space and defence industries,” Lovett said.
“These capabilities are rapidly being recognised as fundamental to Australia’s economic growth, resilience, national security and defence, positioning South Australia as central to a national mission.”
The initiative builds on a series of recent South Australian government investments aimed at strengthening the state’s space ecosystem, including the Venture Catalyst Space accelerator, the South Australian Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund, and new international partnerships with organisations such as Space Florida to expand launch capability and commercial opportunities. Together, the programs are designed to help local companies move from early-stage innovation to globally competitive businesses while strengthening Australia’s sovereign space industry.
Applications for the complimentary SIAA memberships are now open and will close on 14 August 2026, with successful applicants expected to gain immediate access to one of Australia’s largest networks of space companies, researchers, government agencies and international industry partners.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?Make Space Connect a preferred news source on Google.