2024
Prime Contractor of the Year at the Australian Defence Industry Awards and the New Zealand Ministry of Defence Awards of Excellence to Industry
Sovereign.
Trusted with complexity.
Proven at scale.
Trusted with complexity.
Proven at scale.
Critical Defence capability depends on more than any single project, contract or provider. It relies on the successful integration of infrastructure, workforce, technical expertise and industry capability. As Australia’s largest sovereign Defence Prime, Downer brings these elements together to help Defence deliver, operate and sustain critical capability.
For more than 85 years, we have worked alongside Defence, combining specialist expertise, operational delivery and deep industry partnerships to strengthen readiness, build resilience and deliver assured outcomes. With Downer’s scale and strength, we help Defence navigate complexity, manage risk and deliver with confidence.
Downer’s Defence history
Sovereign Supply Chain
A supply chain of more than 20,000 businesses doesn’t just provide capacity. It creates resilience. Downer brings together suppliers, specialist partners and industry capability at a scale few organisations can match, helping Defence access the skills, expertise and industrial capacity required to deliver critical outcomes. It’s the strength of a connected sovereign ecosystem, mobilised behind a common mission.
Technical Expertise
Critical Defence capability depends on informed decisions, specialist knowledge and deep domain expertise. Downer’s engineers, project leaders and technical specialists work alongside Defence to solve complex problems, manage risk and deliver outcomes in high-consequence environments. We don’t just understand the technical challenge. We understand the Defence context surrounding it.
Workforce Mobilisation
With more than 2,000 security-cleared personnel and over 1,200 veterans across our Defence business, Downer can rapidly mobilise skilled workforces where they are needed most. From major programs and critical infrastructure projects to operational support and sustainment activities, we provide the workforce depth, flexibility and Defence experience required to deliver at pace. Because in Defence, readiness depends on having the right capability in the right place at the right time.
Social impact
Cowboy's House
Downer has partnered with NRL Cowboys House since 2021, helping expand opportunities for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
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Veteran’s Scholarships
Proudly supporting the families of those who’ve served.
The Downer Defence Australian Veterans’ Family Scholarships have been established to support the children and grandchildren of Australian Veterans pursue a tertiary education.
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Women in Defence
We’re thrilled to spotlight some incredible female leaders within our Downer Defence team.
Leadership is about empowering others to succeed. At Downer, we’re committed to providing a platform for women to rise and lead.
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Case studies
Events & awards
