The true value of Babcock Australasia’s (Babcock) aviation operations to the Australian economy has been revealed, with new data showing a $164m boost to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last financial year.
Almost 40 per cent ($62m) of the capital injection came from Babcock’s direct aviation and critical services activities, while the remainder was generated through its investment in Australian industry and the wider flow-on effects of this activity.
The figures, collated by leading advisory firm Oxford Economics, also show Babcock’s aviation operations supported 955 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs nationally in FY24 – 325 of those directly.
Babcock’s substantial economic contribution is reflective of its quality operations across Australia, where it is a leading provider of rotary wing helicopter emergency services.
It operates 18 aircraft from seven bases, contributing to emergency medical services, law enforcement support, and disaster management from the Torres Strait through to the southern states of South Australia and Victoria.
Babcock’s diverse critical services portfolio also includes ground support equipment maintenance contracts across commercial aviation and with the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service.
Babcock is a strong example of how agile operations can yield considerable economic benefit. Across its collective defence and aviation output, it contributed $758m to Australia’s GDP in FY24. For every 10 staff it employed, a further 29 jobs were supported across Australia’s economy. Babcock’s workforce also produces a direct contribution to GDP worth $186,000 per employee.
Meanwhile, Babcock has announced plans to broaden its services into military aviation to address the shifting needs of the region’s modern defence forces. It will leveraging decades of global expertise and technological innovation along with its existing defence and civil aviation credentials to pursue operational support for crewed and uncrewed aerial vehicles, scalable turnkey pilot and air crew training solutions and In Service Support (ISS) and maintenance.
This expanded offering, which will be discussed at length with customers, OEMs and potential partners at Avalon Australian International Airshow, will further underscore Babcock’s important role in public safety and disaster resilience.
Quotes attributable to Babcock Australasia Managing Director of Aviation & Critical Services Duncan Milne
“Babcock is a cornerstone of Australia’s Aviation and Critical Services sector. What differentiates us from our competitors is that we deliver choice of solutions through a variety of industry partners to best meet operational needs. This means our spending is wide and varied across industry.”
“Further amplifying our widespread economic value is our societal impact across Australia. At Babcock, our purpose is to create a safe and secure world, together. We are driven by a desire to help others.”
“Every day, our Aviation and Critical Services operations support the protection and wellbeing of the communities we serve. Whether it be undertaking critical patient retrievals, lifesaving winch rescues or providing aerial support for law enforcement, Babcock is at the coal face of keeping the nation safe. We make our partners’ missions, our missions.”
