Key Industries

CANBERRA INNOVATES

RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet performing a jet handling display over Lake Burley Griffin Credit: Ben Appleton | Photox - Canberra Photography Services

Canberra is a national hub for knowledge and research, and home to influencers and thought leaders driving innovation in their fields.

DEFENCE

Canberra is the best place in Australia to connect with defence and security experts, and nowhere else in the country boasts the same proximity to decision makers, procuring agencies and government infrastructure. Canberra enjoys an established defence industry network as the home of the Department of Defence, key national security, intelligence and border protection agencies, law enforcement, key global defence companies, and Australian Federal Government. Important defence training and industry bodies are located here, including the historic Royal Military College at Duntroon, the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Australian Command and Staff College, as well as the Australian Industry and Defence Network. Our highly skilled workforce has productive industry and research partnerships and is developing innovative and cutting-edge technologies for defence.

SPACE AND SPATIAL SCIENCE

Canberra has long played a critical role in some of the biggest events in international space exploration, from the broadcast of the first TV images of the moon landing back in 1969, to the Phoenix landing on Mars more recently. We are a space science leader and contribute to the global space industry through our research and education institutions such as the Australian National Space Mission Design Facility at UNSW Canberra and the ANU National Space Test Facilities. Canberra is also home to industry experts, federal government regulators and policy makers boasting a highly knowledgeable workforce. The Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex at Tidbinbilla forms part of the Deep Space Network of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, while global exporters and multinational companies with significant space programs are also headquartered here.

Scientist at CSIRO Credit: CSIRO | Luciana Porfirio

CYBER SECURITY

Canberra leads in the Australian cyber security industry, boasting a highly skilled workforce, research institutions, and proximity to government. When it comes to cyber security, we are recognised nationally and internationally for our cutting-edge infrastructure, hightech companies, and national security organisations, such as the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). In Canberra, you can access a network of highly influential industry leaders, top-ranked universities spearheading national and international cyber security efforts, and innovative enterprises with a highly skilled and security-cleared workforce. The Military Communications and Information Systems Conference (MilCIS), focusing on technologies, products and services of military communications and information systems, is also held here annually.

AGRI-TECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SCIENCES

Canberra has long been a pioneer in agricultural science and technology, since 1903 when William Farrer bred the strain of Federation wheat just outside Canberra that revolutionised Australian agriculture. These days, Canberra has one of the highest concentrations of researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators in agri-technology, and is home to national agricultural peak bodies such as the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment and the National Farmers Federation. The Canberra Region advances agricultural, environmental, and primary industry research and addresses critical regional, national, and global challenges in agricultural and food technology, environmental sciences, and genetics and phenomics. It’s also an area known for its highly sought-after produce, from black Perigord truffles to cool climate wines, award-winning small goods, stone fruit and wheat.

ANU Research School of Social Sciences Credit: Hcreations Photography

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Just by meeting in Canberra, you’re contributing to a more sustainable future. In 2021, the capital was named the world’s most sustainable city by a UK comparison company. Canberra is also the Asia-Pacific region’s most progressive territory in moving towards a low-carbon economy, and the ACT is powered by 100% renewable electricity, generated by wind and photovoltaic power, and on track to achieve zero net emissions by 2045. The ACT was also the first state government to invest in and trial green hydrogen technologies. Here you have access to leaders in their field at a range of institutions like the Distributed Energy Resources Lab, Energy Change Institute at ANU, and Canberra Institute of Technology.

ICT AND E-GOVERNMENT

Canberra ranks as one of the world’s most ICT-connected places and is a national leader for information and communications technologies. It was one of the first cities in the world to introduce an advanced broadband fibre optic cable network, and these days, many of the world’s leading IT organisations operate here, including Microsoft, HP Enterprise, and IBM. Also paving the way in skills and research development are Canberra’s educational institutions. Establishments like the 3A Institute at ANU and Data61 are part of the Research and Learning Institutes Group (RALIG), a consortium of learning institutions, available for you to leverage for your next event. Canberra is also home to the Digital Transformation Agency, which is leading a strategy to make Australia one of the top three digital governments in the world by 2025.

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

Canberra is known both nationally and internationally as an education leader, and is home to five university campuses ranked among the best in the world. The capital also holds the enviable status in Australia as the city with the highest percentage of people who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher, while our residents also hold more tertiary qualifications than in any city in the Southern Hemisphere. By conferencing in Canberra, you can tap into this wealth of thought leaders and innovators specialising in your field, and can take your pick of leading industry experts to speak at your event.

Art installation at Enlighten Credit: VisitCanberra

HEALTH AND SPORTS SCIENCES

With leading universities and world-class research institutions, Canberra is internationally regarded as a hub for health research and sports sciences. Medical and sport science associations including The Australian Orthopaedic Association, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses, as well as the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports have all chosen Canberra as their event destination. With a conference here, your delegates can access health experts who are leaders in their field, such as some of the world’s most influential scientists at the prestigious John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) at Australian National University. Canberra is also home to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), which supports the country’s top athletes and drives innovation and participation in sport. In the capital, you can also make the most of the proximity to researchers at the University of Canberra Hospital, an established educator of health practitioners and home to the Health Research Institute and the Research Institute of Sport and Exercise.

TOURISM

Canberra’s tourism offering rivals its interstate counterparts, with a diverse schedule of major events, as well as art and cultural exhibitions housed in its many national institutions, such as the National Museum of Australia, Questacon and the Australian War Memorial. World-renowned accommodation brands such as Accor Hotels, Hyatt and IHG have a presence in Canberra, with thousands of rooms available for your next event, big or small. The stunningly designed Canberra International Airport will make your visitors feel welcome from the moment they touch down in the capital. From there, only a few minutes separate them from a stay in Canberra that is set to exceed all their expectations. For tailored tours, conference programs ideas or to purchase local and regional products, a visit to our award-winning Canberra Region Visitor Centre is a must. Located at Regatta Point on Lake Burley Griffin, you’ll love the view too!