Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is currently working on its own global navigation satellite system (GNSS), which is set to be completed by 2028. The country is developing a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) in collaboration with New Zealand, which will improve the accuracy of unaugmented GPS and other positioning services from the current five to 10 meters to as little as 10 centimeters across the entire region. This system will be especially useful for emergency services, as well as for agricultural and autonomous vehicles. Australia's first GPS infrastructure in space was launched in 2017, and the country has also developed its own GPS payload for a cube satellite.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gun ownership laws | Strict gun control laws; gun ownership is considered a privilege, not a right |
| Homemade guns | Small number of illicitly made guns in Australia, accounting for a small amount of guns seized by police |
| Gun culture | Hunting and shooting are permitted as long as individuals abide by the law |
| Military weapons | Australia has not maintained a large military or extensive military industrial complex; most military equipment comes from the UK and US |
| Weapon development | Australia has developed its own weapon systems, e.g., next-generation individual weapons, watercraft, and vehicles |
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What You'll Learn
Illicit homemade guns
Australia has never maintained a large military or an extensive military industrial complex. Most Australian military equipment has been sourced from the United Kingdom and the United States. However, Australia has, at times, developed its own weapon systems, primarily to meet needs that could not be fulfilled by overseas providers.
Homemade guns, also known as "ghost guns", are on the rise in Australia. These firearms are hard to trace because they lack serial numbers. Blueprints for 3D-printed guns can be found online, and the weapons are cheap and easy to make. They are often advertised for sale on Facebook Marketplace. While 3D-printed guns are unreliable and potentially dangerous, they pose a significant risk to the community and to frontline officers.
Homemade guns are mostly used by serious criminals, especially drug dealers and outlaw motorcycle gangs. Media reports suggest that bikie gangs have recruited people with metalworking skills to become their armourers. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) reported that Australia's illicit firearms market is driven by outlaw motorcycle gangs, Middle Eastern organised crime groups, and others engaged in trafficking illicit commodities like drugs.
While homemade guns account for a small proportion of seized firearms in Australia, they are a genuine problem. Criminals who cannot access firearms on the black market or cannot afford them turn to homemade alternatives. These are typically manufactured in backyard workshops using basic tools, making them dangerous to both the user and the target.
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Backyard workshops
Australia has never maintained a large military or an extensive military industrial complex, and most of its military equipment has been sourced from the United Kingdom and the United States. However, Australia has developed its own weapon systems, particularly vehicles and ships, to meet unique needs that could not be fulfilled by overseas providers.
In the backyard workshops of serious criminals, especially drug dealers and outlaw motorcycle gangs, illicit firearms are manufactured using basic tools. These homemade guns account for a small proportion of the guns confiscated by police across Australia, but they surface often enough to be considered a real problem. The Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (SSAA) reports that backyard gunsmiths experiment with designs, sometimes with dangerous results. Plastic barrels and low-power handgun cartridges, for example, can be a deadly combination.
While 3D printers could potentially be used to make firearms, they are generally too expensive for the average backyard gunsmith. Australian law enforcement is aware of the possibility of 3D-printed guns but considers the threat low.
In Australia, owning a gun is considered a privilege that comes with strict responsibilities, such as gun room inspections, transportation laws, and shooting requirements to maintain a license.
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Australia's small military
Australia has never maintained a large military or an extensive military industrial complex. The Australian Army was formed in 1901 and was initially composed almost entirely of part-time soldiers. The country has a relatively small population, and its military is structured around a maritime strategy focused on the RAN and RAAF rather than a manpower-intensive army. Most Australian military equipment has historically come from the United Kingdom and the United States, although Australia has occasionally developed its own weapon systems to meet unique needs.
As of 30 June 2023, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) had 57,346 full-time active-duty personnel and 32,049 active reservists, making it the largest military in Oceania. However, the ADF is considered small compared to many other national militaries, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region. The ADF has a significant budget and is well-equipped and trained, with defence spending at 2.02% of GDP (as of 2024/25).
The Australian Army has been involved in peacekeeping operations and provides emergency disaster relief and humanitarian aid. It has also participated in military conflicts, including World War I and World War II, where it raised volunteer expeditionary forces. The Army is currently developing next-generation weapons and acquiring new equipment, including drones, helicopters, and watercraft.
Australia's military power is recognised globally, ranking 18th out of 145 countries in the 2025 GFP review. The country possesses a range of military capabilities, including helicopter carriers, frigates, corvettes, and missile systems.
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Australian-made vehicles
Australia has a long history of automotive manufacturing, with Australian constructors playing a significant role in the early development of cars and aircraft. Due to the country's isolation, it was often more practical for Australia to make their own vehicles. The first imported car in Australia is believed to have been the Pender-Hertel in 1897, while the first cars made in the country were steam-powered, with the first being the Phaeton, made in 1896 by Herbert Thomson and Edward Holmes of Armadale, Melbourne.
The first major carmaker in Australia was Ford Australia, which established its headquarters in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925. The first Australian-built Ford was a Model T launched in June of that year. Tyre manufacturing also existed in Australia, but the last tyre factory closed in 2010.
The first Australian-designed mass-production car was manufactured by Holden in 1948. Australian car manufacturing rose to a peak of nearly half a million vehicles in the 1970s, placing the country 10th in the world. By 2004, production still exceeded 400,000, but it had fallen to around 175,000 by 2009, with the market dominated by imported cars from Asia and Europe. Holden ceased production in 2017, ending large-scale production of light vehicles in Australia.
Other notable Australian-made vehicles include the Birchfield, Blade, Bolwell, Brabham Automotive, and Bush Ranger. British Leyland assembled and manufactured vehicles in Australia from 1950 to 1975, while Volvo Group Australia began production in Wacol, Queensland, in 1972.
In recent years, electric vehicles have gained popularity in Australia, with Tesla offering the best value-for-money option on the road. The Tesla Model Y has seen significant sales success, and the Model 3 is also gaining traction. Hyundai is also popular among Australians for its advanced technology and design features, with the Hyundai i30 being the favourite hatchback choice.
While Australia's automotive industry has evolved over the years, with a shift from local to imported vehicles, the country continues to have a presence in the global automotive market, particularly in the production of heavy vehicles.
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Australian involvement in shipbuilding
Australia has several shipyards that have been involved in shipbuilding for naval and commercial purposes. The Osborne Naval Shipyard in Osborne, South Australia, is the country's largest shipyard and the original home of the Australian Submarine Corporation. Other notable shipyards include the Adelaide Steamship Company, Austal, BAE Systems Australia, and Incat. These shipyards have been involved in building a range of vessels, from tugs and ferries to naval ships and submarines.
In recent years, there has been a push for Australia to support its domestic naval shipbuilding industry. The Australian government has been considering the feasibility of sustaining a domestic naval shipbuilding industry compared to buying ships from foreign shipbuilders. This decision involves complex trade-offs and considerations, including economic benefits and cost implications.
The Australian government's Defence White Paper outlines the country's defence objectives, including the acquisition of naval surface ships. The government must choose between building these ships entirely in-country, partially in-country and overseas, or solely at foreign shipyards. This decision is influenced by factors such as cost, economic development, and the capacity of Australia's naval shipbuilding industrial base.
Supporting a cost-effective Australian shipbuilding industry requires strategic steps, such as adopting a continuous build strategy and ensuring a steady production program. The economic effects of shipbuilding can be beneficial, especially in areas with surplus labour forces, but they depend on broader economic conditions in Australia. The government must weigh the benefits against the potential price premium for indigenous production.
In conclusion, Australia has a history of involvement in shipbuilding, with multiple active shipyards contributing to naval and commercial vessel construction. The country is currently evaluating the future of its domestic naval shipbuilding industry, weighing the advantages of indigenous production against the costs and alternative options available.
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Frequently asked questions
GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System. It is a space-based technology that provides accurate and reliable positioning information.
Australia is one of the fastest-moving continents on Earth, shifting 7 centimetres a year towards the North-North East. GNSS technology helps to accurately determine position, velocity, and time, which is essential for modern technologies such as smartphones and autonomous vehicles.
Australia has modernised its GNSS infrastructure networks by implementing the AuScope program in collaboration with universities and state and territory governments. The Australian Regional GNSS Network (ARGN) provides a geodetic framework for spatial data infrastructure and contributes data to the International GNSS Service (IGS).
GNSS technology delivers economic benefits, improved community safety, and supports innovative technologies. It also aids in the measurement of Earth processes, such as crustal dynamics and sea level rise, which is crucial for understanding the deformation of continental Australia.
Geoscience Australia ensures that Australians have access to high-quality, accurate, reliable, and resilient positioning capabilities. They aim to unlock the potential for technological improvements, accelerate economic growth, create opportunities, increase environmental and societal benefits, and improve community safety.
