Labor is securing the Southern Hemisphere’s largest aviation, aerospace and defence event through to 2031.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Horne today announced Victoria will host the 2029 and 2031 Australian International Airshow at Avalon securing long-term benefits for jobs, tourism and local businesses.
This builds on the success of the 2025 event and ahead of the 2027 Airshow, which will be held from 23 to 28 February next year at Avalon Airport.
Labor is securing the future of this major event in Victoria, with the AMDA Foundation delivering the event and the Victorian Government as an Official Partner.
The biennial Airshow has been held in Victoria since 1992 bringing together a spectacular public airshow and a major international trade exhibition.
The event provides a powerful platform to showcase Victoria’s world-class supply chain businesses.
It reinforces Victoria as a leader in advanced manufacturing and defence, while helping local industry build global connections.
In 2025, the Airshow generated $240.9 million for the Victorian economy, including an estimated $31.85 million in direct economic benefit for the Geelong region.
The event’s trade exhibition attracted more than 900 exhibitors and 291 official delegations from 43 nations.
Victoria’s defence sector generates $10.9 billion in direct annual expenditure into the state’s economy.
It also provides $1.7 billion in exports, and $4.9 billion in gross value added across the supply chain.
The sector supports more than 29,000 jobs across the state.
Victoria’s unrivalled major events calendar generated $3.64 billion in economic impact in 2025 and attracted close to 8 million attendances, supporting almost 17,000 jobs across the sector and broader visitor economy.
Events like the Avalon Airshow bring visitors to Victoria, back local businesses and showcase our economic and industrial strengths to the world.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Horne
“Labor is creating valuable opportunities for Victorian businesses to expand, generate local jobs and strengthen relationships with global partners.”
“The Avalon Airshow through to 2031 showcases our state on the global stage as a leader in defence industry.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Major Events Anthony Carbines
“Labor is reinforcing Victoria’s reputation as Australia’s major events capital delivering benefits all across the state.”
Quote attributable to Member for Lara Ella George
“Only Labor is delivering major events in Geelong, bringing visitors, backing local jobs and giving local businesses more opportunities to grow.”
Quote attributable to AMDA Foundation CEO Justin Giddings
“The Avalon Australian International Airshow has proudly called Victoria home since 1992, and we welcome the Victorian Government’s continued commitment to the event through to 2031.”
“This long-term commitment allows us to continue showcasing Australian aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing capability on the world.”