Defence security advisory firm De Stefano & Co has opened the company’s second Australian office as part of its national growth strategy. The Melbourne office and expansion will solidify its presence in Victoria and further support demand across the state’s growing defence, aerospace, cyber security and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Founded in South Australia in 2015, De Stefano & Co has grown into an award-winning and nationally recognised Defence security advisory firm, supporting government, as well as Prime Defence contractors and industry organisations operating in defence, national security and other highly regulated sectors.
Investment into the state of Victoria represents a significant milestone in the company’s ambition to become Australia’s ‘go-to’ in Defence security, while maintaining the high-touch, client-focused approach that has underpinned its success since inception.
As outlined in the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the expansion comes at a pivotal time for Victoria’s burgeoning defence sector – the second largest in the country – responsible for generating $2.4 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2024 – 25. The state’s defence industry GVA also increased by 40.7% from $1.67 billion in 2020 – 21 to $2.35 billion in 2024 – 25. The timing of De Stefano & Co’s expansion also aligns with Premier Ben Carroll’s call for Victoria to secure a greater share of AUKUS opportunities, leveraging the state’s strong defence, advanced manufacturing and research capabilities.
Located on Melbourne’s Bourke Street, the new premises places De Stefano & Co within close proximity to Defence, Prime contractors and the defence and advanced manufacturing supply chain participants that it supports.
The establishment of the Melbourne office reinforces De Stefano & Co’s commitment to partnering with government, Prime Defence contractors and key industry bodies to support Australian industry, strengthen sovereign capability and help drive opportunities across Victoria’s defence, aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors, the company said.
Looking ahead, De Stefano & Co is focused on the long-term growth of its Victorian operations, with the state expected to account for more than 30% of its work in Defence security by mid-2027. Establishing a permanent presence in Victoria will provide greater access to some of the largest manufacturing precincts in the country, and one of Australia’s strongest talent pools. This will support the company in its dedication to building a collaborative, engaging workplace culture that attracts, develops and retains industry-leading professionals.
Emilio De Stefano, CEO & Managing Director, De Stefano & Co, said: “Opening an office in Melbourne marks a significant milestone in our ambition to become Australia’s ‘go-to’ in Defence security. In a relationship-driven industry, being close to clients and having boots on the ground matters. Establishing a permanent presence in Victoria allows us to better understand client pain points, strengthen partnerships and provide the high-touch support organisations need as they navigate the increasingly complex security requirements mandated by Defence and government agencies.”
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