Service Stream secures $1.6b Defence contract in SA and NT

Service Stream has won one of its most significant contracts to date, securing a long term deal with the Australian Department of Defence to provide property and asset services across South Australia and the Northern Territory.

The contract, valued at approximately $1.6 billion over an initial six year term, covers 113 Defence sites including eight major bases. Under the agreement, Service Stream will manage estate upkeep, land management, aerodrome operations, and training area and range services. There are options for Defence to extend the contract to a maximum of 10 years.

Operations will commence on 1 February 2026, with about 350 new employees and a network of specialist contractors engaged to support delivery. The company expects minimal earnings contribution in FY2026 due to mobilisation but anticipates meaningful revenue in following years as operations scale.

Managing director Leigh Mackender said the deal marked a milestone in the company’s expansion. “Service Stream is extremely proud to be awarded this significant agreement with the Australian Department of Defence. As an Australian owned and operated company, we are honoured to earn the trust of Defence and believe this is an ideal strategic fit for Service Stream and its ongoing support of critical essential infrastructure throughout Australia,” he said.

Mackender added that the company would work in a “team of teams” model alongside Defence and other industry partners to deliver high quality services that support operations across the country.

The contract is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing Service Stream to scale its services in line with Australia’s evolving strategic environment. The scope covers routine estate maintenance through to surge capacity for large scale military exercises.

For Service Stream, which already provides essential network services in telecommunications, utilities and transport, the Defence contract represents an entry into a new and strategically important market. With a workforce of more than 5,000 employees and access to 6,500 contractors nationwide, the company is positioning itself as a trusted partner in delivering mission critical services.

The win follows a period of diversification for Service Stream as it seeks to expand beyond its traditional telecommunications contracts into broader infrastructure and government service delivery. The Defence deal, with its scale and longevity, will likely become a cornerstone of that strategy.