Government & Defence

Government & Defence accounts for a significant proportion of employment in the Port Stephens. 
 
Government employment is concentrated in Raymond Terrace, the area’s administration and shopping centre, and includes Port Stephens Council and some State Government and Commonwealth Government Agencies. Government offices include Housing, Community Services, Defence Housing, RTA and Centrelink. There are also government services at Nelson Bay and Salamander Bay, including Centrelink and RTA offices in Nelson Bay.

Defence employment comprises RAAF and Defence Department jobs at the Williamtown Base. Over the last 6 years there has been growth in jobs as the base has expanded its role and new projects like the new fighter project and AEW&C have come on stream.

 The base now employs an estimated 2500 defence personnel (military and civilians) and another 500 defence contractors.

The RAAF Base Williamtown is the primary fighter base for the RAAF and injects an estimated $150 million (salaries and expenditure) into the Hunter Region economy. There has been a major upgrade of the base as part of its role for the new Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) and its continuation as the primary base for fighter aircraft.

There are several major defence contractors located at Williamtown. BAE Systems is responsible for the assembly of 22 Hawk Lead-in Fighter aircraft for the RAAF and the through-life support for the aircraft. It is also involved in the F/A 18 Hornet Upgrade Program.

BAE Systems is also the principal subcontractor to Boeing for the RAAF’s Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) project Wedgetail. Boeing Australia is the prime contractor for the F/A-18 Hornet Upgrade (HUG) program and has a significant presence at RAAF Williamtown. Boeing is also providing engineering, logistics and training support for the 6 AEW&C aircraft.

Williamtown Aerospace Centre, the defence and airport related employment zone at Williamtown will be a key economic driver for the region and has the potential to position Port Stephens as a major national and potentially international, centre for the aerospace and aviation industry. Visit our projects page to find out more.