Office of Defence Industry Support

For small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) looking to enter or grow within Australia’s defence sector, the Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS) provides a valuable gateway to opportunity.

Delivered by the Department of Defence, ODIS acts as a “one-stop shop” for businesses seeking to navigate the complex defence landscape. Through a national network of industry engagement teams, ODIS offers tailored advisory, guidance and mentoring services designed to help SMEs build capability, improve competitiveness and connect with defence supply chains.

ODIS works closely with businesses at all stages of their defence journey — from early exploration through to expansion into global supply chains. Its core focus is to help SMEs understand Defence requirements and position themselves to meet capability needs.

Key support services include:

• Specialist defence business advice to strengthen competitiveness and readiness for defence work
• Guidance on capability development, helping businesses align their products and services with Defence priorities
• Mentoring and tailored support to navigate procurement processes and industry expectation

A major strength of ODIS is its ability to connect SMEs directly with Defence and prime contractors. This includes:

• Linking businesses to Defence procurement programs and supply chains
• Facilitating introductions to Defence end users and project teams
• Supporting collaboration across industry to drive innovation and commercial outcomes

Through these connections, SMEs gain clearer visibility of upcoming opportunities and a pathway to participate in major Defence projects.

ODIS also provides practical tools and funding guidance to help businesses become “Defence ready.”

A key resource is the Defence Business Readiness Tool (DBRT), which allows SMEs to assess their maturity across areas such as strategy, delivery capability, and market positioning. The tool generates a tailored action plan and can trigger direct support from ODIS advisers.

In addition, ODIS can guide businesses toward relevant grants and funding programs, supporting investment in capability uplift, innovation, workforce development and export growth.

ODIS delivers support through a mix of:

• One-on-one advisory services
• Workshops, outreach programs and industry events
• Online tools, resources and regular updates (including the Industry Engagement Update newsletter)

Importantly, services are accessible to regional businesses, ensuring SMEs across Australia — including those in the Brisbane region — can engage with Defence opportunities.

As Australia continues to strengthen its sovereign defence capability, the role of SMEs in supporting the Australian Defence Force is more important than ever. ODIS plays a critical role in ensuring businesses — regardless of size or location — can access the advice, connections and resources needed to succeed.

For Brisbane-region businesses considering defence as a growth pathway, ODIS offers a practical and supported entry point into one of Australia’s most strategically important industries.