Safeguarding the nation: How Thales in Australia plays a key role in national security, resilience and prosperity

Shaping a Trusted Future: Meeting Australia’s Unique Challenges

How does a global technology leader bridge heritage and modernity to protect Australia, empower communities, and secure what matters most?

Australia demands solutions that are as diverse as its landscape and resilient as its people. From the rugged outback to dynamic urban centres, national security and technological advancement intertwine in ways few nations experience. In this environment, Thales in Australia provides agility through trusted partnerships, world-leading engineering and science and a purpose to be what Australia needs Thales to be. 

Founded over 130 years ago and now with a 4,800-strong workforce across 35 sites nationwide, Thales in Australia has become an essential force in the country’s technology and defence fabric. It’s heritage is not just a measure of longevity, but a narrative of continuous adaptation and collaboration—on battlefields, runways, shipping lanes, digital frontiers, and city streets. Thales is interwoven with Australia’s story of progress and resilience.

Building National Resilience: Partnering for Defence and Innovation

Thales’ influence extends well beyond technology—it is fundamentally about trust and enduring partnerships. For decades, Thales has worked side-by-side with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), co-creating solutions tailored to Australia’s unique needs and deployed environments.

While its heritage started with defence, Thales has evolved with the needs of the nation. As global threats shift and digitalisation accelerates, Thales has invested heavily in cyber and digital capabilities, bringing global knowledge alongside local expertise to the uniquely Australian context. Thales secures customers in a fast-moving world where sovereign capability and technological self-sufficiency matter more than ever.

By embedding Australian technology in global solutions, Thales forges opportunities for local businesses, researchers, and innovators through the Global Supply Chain Program (GSCP). Since 2010, our dedicated Industry Engagement Unit (IEU) has connected Australian talent with Thales’ international operations, helping small-to-medium enterprises and research partners take their innovations to the world stage.

A Platform for People: Diversity, Inclusion, and Local Impact

At the heart of Thales’ success is people—an inclusive, diverse workforce that thrives on shared respect and bold ideas. The strongest teams are those that reflect the full breadth of Australia’s society, and strives to ensure everyone—regardless of nationality, gender, culture, age, or background—can fulfil their potential.

Diversity and inclusion are formalised in the Respect@Thales strategy, driving a respectful, supportive culture across all levels of the organisation. Thales’ workplace culture is recognised by its  position as a top-10 employer for graduate engineers and employment of over 420 veterans, further underlined by industry-leading policies such as 30 days’ paid reserve leave for Defence reservists.

Walking Forward Together: Reconciliation and Sustainability

Business success goes hand-in-hand with sustainable progress. Thales’ commitment to sustainability extends from responsible business practices to initiatives that contribute positively to society—whether reducing environmental impact, advancing ethical supply chains, or supporting local communities.

A focal point of Thales’ societal mission is Reconciliation. Thales acknowledges the enduring custodianship, cultures, and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and aims to walk collaboratively toward a future found in mutual respect and opportunity. The company’s Reconciliation Action Plan symbolised by the unique artwork “Our Past. Our Present. Our Future. The Extraordinary Potential of Us” by David Williams (a proud Wakka Wakka man), outlines tangible steps to inspire, educate, and empower Indigenous Australians.

Thales fosters partnerships with organisations such as CareerTrackers and the Clontarf Foundation to provide education, internship, and employment opportunities for First Nations peoples. These efforts, along with annual participation in NAIDOC Week and cultural awareness activities help ensure that Thales contributes meaningfully to social change.

Honouring Service: A Lifelong Commitment to Veterans

Thales employs over 400 employees with Defence service backgrounds. Recognising the unique skills and resilience veterans bring, Thales invests in robust support systems—from mentoring programs and paid reserve leave to the Veterans Committee, which supports veterans transitioning to civilian careers.

By having veterans represented in leadership discussions, providing clear pathways for career development, and supporting veteran-focused charities, Thales ensures every veteran—whether newly transitioned or long-serving—finds an enduring sense of belonging and purpose.

Upholding the Highest Standards: Policies and Governance

With trust at the core of our mission, Thales is unwavering in its commitment to robust governance and ethical conduct. Thales’ policies and codes—covering whistleblowing, modern slavery, and anti-corruption—reflect the highest international standards and rigorous oversight.

Operating responsibly is not an add-on—it’s intrinsic to how Thales meets the expectations of its people, communities, and customers.

A Trusted Partner for Australia—Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

From its earliest roots to its current role as a trusted partner across defence, aerospace, cyber, and digital domains, Thales in Australia is unified by a single thread: a deep, ongoing commitment to Australia’s future.

Facing complex security challenges and rapid technological change, Thales continues to work alongside Australia’s institutions, industry, and communities. Our practical contribution—through developing advanced capabilities, sharing expertise, and building local talent—reflects our belief in building national strength and resilience from the ground up. At every step, Thales remains focused on supporting Australia’s enduring interests, now and into the future.