Australia’s Defence sector is growing at speed. With the momentum of initiatives like AUKUS, sovereign capability goals, and major national projects on the horizon, the demand for specialist talent has surged. But while the sector’s investment and ambition continue to rise, the workforce is under pressure and businesses are feeling the impact.

Skilled professionals are at the centre of this transformation but finding them is no easy task. Engineers, cyber security experts, procurement professionals and logistics specialists are in short supply, particularly those with the NV1, NV2 or PV security clearance required to operate in this space. These roles aren’t just hard to fill, they’re mission-critical. And when delays happen, delivery suffers.

Adding to the challenge, security clearance timelines can stretch over many months. This can leave internal teams in limbo, stalling project momentum and putting added strain on those already in place. With deadlines looming, many organisations find themselves scrambling to plug gaps at the last minute, often without the right people in place.

Another common roadblock is short-term workforce planning. While most Defence projects span years (even decades), recruitment often focuses only on immediate needs. The result? Rushed hires, lack of continuity, and teams stretched thin just when they need to be scaling up.

At the same time, veteran talent remains one of the sector’s greatest untapped resources. Veterans and DIPP graduates offer a wealth of technical expertise, leadership, and discipline, yet too often, their experience isn’t fully understood or utilised in commercial settings. It’s a missed opportunity that leaves both candidates and businesses short-changed.

Then there’s the question of workforce structure. With scopes shifting and timelines changing, it’s difficult to know when to invest in permanent staff and when to scale up with short-term contractors. Getting that balance right, while managing compliance, risk and cost is a challenge in itself.

This is where PERSOLKELLY comes in.

We work with Defence primes, SMEs and consultancies to provide strategic, flexible workforce solutions tailored to this complex environment. We connect our clients to a deep network of skilled, off-market professionals, including many who hold active security clearances and are ready to deploy. We help businesses align their recruitment approach with project milestones, ensuring continuity, capability and confidence.

We also champion veteran employment, with consultants who understand Defence backgrounds and can translate them into commercial value, placing candidates where they’ll thrive and make a real impact.

Whether you’re looking to scale up, secure pre-cleared contractors, or develop a future-ready workforce plan, PERSOLKELLY is your partner in navigating the Defence talent landscape. Contact us today to secure the talent you need to thrive

At PERSOLKELLY Australia, we take pride in our teams of experts who specialise in providing recruitment solutions for a wide range of industries. We understand the unique challenges that businesses face when it comes to finding and hiring the right talent, which is why we offer tailored solutions that can help businesses reduce the time, effort, and cost of recruitment.

Our team of experts is made up of experienced recruiters who specialise in the following industries:

Professional Services: Our team has a deep understanding of the professional services industry and can help businesses find top talent for roles in accounting and finance, business support, human resources, legal and procurement.

ICT: With a strong background in information and communication technology, our team can help businesses find skilled professionals for all roles within the IT sector, including software development, project management and cybersecurity.

Government: Our team has a thorough understanding of the government sector and can help businesses find top talent across all levels of government.

STEM: Our team has a deep understanding of the STEM industry and can help businesses find skilled professionals for roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Management & Executive: Our team has extensive experience in executive search and can help businesses find top-level talent for key management and leadership roles.

Specialist Recruitment: Our team has expertise in niche recruitment areas such as Japanese Services and Veterans Employment and Training Services, providing businesses with access to specialised talent pools.

• By outsourcing recruitment to our team of experts, businesses can benefit from a range of advantages that include:
• Reducing the time and effort spent on recruitment: With our team handling the recruitment process, businesses can free up valuable time and resources to focus on other areas of their operations.
• Accessing a wider pool of candidates: Our team has access to a wide range of networks and channels, enabling them to source top talent from a diverse range of backgrounds.
• Reducing the cost of recruitment: By outsourcing to us, businesses can reduce the effort of recruitment while still accessing high-quality talent.

At PERSOLKELLY Australia, we understand the importance of finding the right talent for your business. With our team of experts and tailored solutions, we can help businesses reduce the time, effort, and cost of recruitment while finding the best candidates for the job. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business grow.

Contact us today.