Defence security advisory firm De Stefano & Co has opened an office in Melbourne as it looks to expand its presence in Victoria’s defence and manufacturing sectors.
The office, located on Bourke Street, is the South Australian company’s second Australian location and forms part of a broader strategy to establish a national presence in defence security.
Founded in 2015, De Stefano & Co provides security advisory services to government agencies, Prime Defence contractors, and organisations operating across defence, national security, and other highly regulated industries.
The company said the Victorian expansion comes as the state seeks to capture a greater share of opportunities associated with the AUKUS security partnership, supported by its defence, advanced manufacturing, and research capabilities.
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data cited by the company, Victoria’s defence sector generated $2.4 billion in gross value added in 2024–25.
The company expects Victoria to account for more than 30 per cent of its defence security work by mid-2027.
The permanent office will also give De Stefano & Co greater access to major manufacturing precincts and Victoria’s technology and engineering talent pool as it expands its local workforce.
“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,” said Emilio De Stefano (pictured), CEO and managing director at De Stefano & Co.
“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.”
The expansion follows a period of growth and industry recognition for the company. De Stefano & Co was named 2025 Cyber Business of the Year at the Australian Defence Industry Awards, while it also received 2026 Cyber Consulting Business of the Year – SME at the Australian Cyber Awards.
The company’s head of protective security services, Jeremy Watkinson, was also named 2026 Cyber Professional of the Year – Defence.
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