South Australia

Service exports is a priority focus for the Government of South Australia. Priority sectors include across Defence, Space, Creative Industries, Health and Medical and Hi-Tech.

There are nine priority sectors, identified by South Australia, in which the state has existing or emerging competitive advantage. Some of these sectors are concentrated entirely or overwhelmingly in services, including in creative industries, some have a major services component (Hi-Tech, Health and Medical Industries), whilst some are increasingly seeing services potential, and the contribution of services exports is expected to grow over time (Food, Wine & Agribusiness, Mining and Energy, Defence & Space). Each of these sectors have released detailed sector strategies, owned and endorsed by industry.

Export capability support and training programs are accessible through the export from South Australia website which brings together information for companies exploring opportunities for support, capability development and funding from the South Australian Government (see Action 4.2A).

The export from South Australia information portal is complemented by a range of industry outreach activities and training opportunities, such as the Global Expansion Program (see Action 4.2B). The program supports high-growth, export-ready South Australian businesses to build their export capability and capacity and become the state’s next global leaders. The program provides grants for bespoke export services and support delivered by service providers selected by grant recipients. The services are matched to the specific needs of individual participating companies identified by free business reviews to be undertaken as part of the program.

South Australia also participates in the TradeStart program, where they have Austrade specialists working in partnership with the South Australian government, industry associations and chambers of commerce to assist small and medium sized exporters to achieve long term success in international markets (see Action 4.2B).

South Australia support accelerators, incubators and other cluster development initiatives for services, including in regional centres (see Action 4.1A). The SA Department of Innovation and Skills leads SA Government initiatives including:

  • CivTech Alliance – a worldwide network of public, private and third sector organisations working across civic and gov tech sectors, supporting and nurturing an ecosystem developing products and services with a focus on technologies that contribute to Net Zero 
  • Startup Hub at Lot Fourteen – a hub for startups in emerging industry across South Australia. focusing on space, hi-tech, cyber and creative industries
  • Tonsley Innovation District – innovation district reimagining and redeveloping traditional manufacturing facilities focusing on Cleantech, Digital Health and Medical Devices, Future Energy, Defence and Industry 4.0 including Line Zero
  • PIRSA Regions AgTech start-up hubs that support entrepreneurs to develop entrepreneurship and technology capabilities to solve critical industry challenges.
  • Go2Gov program supports early-stage businesses to pitch their innovative product or service to state government agencies.
  • Accelerator and Incubator Programs – a broad range of accelerator and incubator programs active in South Australia, with many accessible to services exporters.
  • Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (A3C) at Lot Fourteen - an organisation that is committed making cyberspace a better, and safer, place for organisations, corporations, agencies and institutions to do business, which also has capability building functions and a cyber marketplace.
  • The Circle – a first nations entrepreneurship hub located at Lot Fourteen.
  • The Research and Innovation Fund (RIF) – supports researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses to accelerate their progress with funding from the South Australian Government.

South Australia is also helping industry adoption remote and digital services delivery (see Action 4.1B) though programs such as GigCity, the Go2Gov program, Digital Technologies Academy and the Tonsely Innovation District. The Digital Technologies Academy offers digital technologies and cyber related education and training (see Action 3.1E).