The Australian Government is now operating in line with Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.

This plan was first published on 24 January 2022 under the previous Australian Government.

The Australian Space Agency’s robotics and automation on Earth and in space roadmap outlined a 10-year plan to support growth of robotics and automation capabilities on Earth and in space.

Australia is already a world leader in remote asset management in the resources sector. These capabilities are also being applied to industries such as resources, transport and agriculture.

This expertise has huge potential for the future of space exploration.

The robotics and automation on Earth and in space roadmap describes a pathway to:

  • make use of Australia’s expertise in robotics technology and systems
  • supply solutions to the global marketplace that aid and support the sustained build-up of space assets and infrastructure
  • support international collaboration with industry.

Explore the National Robotics Strategy

Robotics and automation are critical technologies in the national interest.

National Robotics Strategy

The National Robotics Strategy is our plan for Australia’s robotics ecosystem.

Watch our video explainer

Robotics and Automation on Earth and in Space Roadmap – an introduction

How are robotics and automation involved in space?

Robotics and automation allow humanity to reach further and expand on what is possible.

Robots go places and do things that humans can't, and advances in automation allow us to carry out complex tasks with more sophistication.

These technologies are playing an ever-increasing role in supporting human operations on the moon.  

Australia has expertise in large-scale remote asset management and Earth-based robotics in harsh environments.

A great example of this is our resource sector.

This means we are well-placed to become a leader in the automation of off-Earth activities, and to capture high-tech manufacturing opportunities in the process.

What is the purpose of the Roadmap?

The Roadmap sets out a vision and a strategy for Australia to build, operate and maintain off-world infrastructure and assets, to expand, support and sustain humanity on Earth and in space, in a manner that supports the long-term sustainability of outer space.

This is a key contribution to the Australian Space Agency’s mission to create an additional 20,000 jobs by 2030, and triple the size of the national civil space sector to $12bn.

The Roadmap also ensures our activities in space are consistent with our obligations, responsible, sustainable, and worthy of international respect.

Who worked with the Agency on the Roadmap?

A wide range of people supported the development of this Roadmap, across industry, universities, Federal government agencies, and industry organisations.

We also consulted with State and Territory governments, as well as international space agencies.

Updates to this page

On 24 January 2025, we updated this page to:

  • specify the release date of the plan
  • remove duplicate paragraphs
  • remove inaccuracies
  • add link to National Robotics Strategy
  • follow the Australian Government Style Manual.