Major General Gregory Novak AM

Major General Gregory Novak AM’s career story

“Exposure to cutting-edge technology, working with skilled and enthusiastic teammates, and opportunities to collaborate across government, industry, academia, and internationally, are my primary motivators for a space career,” says Major General Gregory Novak AM. 

A professional military officer at heart, Major General Novak’s career has taken him across many levels of the Australian Army and the wider Department of Defence, leading him today to his position as Commander of Space Command.

“The dedicated professionals of Space Command are all a constant source of inspiration for me. I am proud to serve alongside these passionate space professionals drawn from all three services of the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Public Service, and a number of our commercial industry partners. This workforce is a huge part of the future of Australia’s space endeavours and I feel very confident that future is in good hands.”

Graduating from the Australian Army’s Royal Military College in 1996, Major General Novak’s military career has included a full suite of command, staff, and representational appointments. Some of his early career highlights include Squadron Commander and Operations Officer at the 3^rd Combat Signal Regiment, Staff Officer Grade 1 for battlefield digitisation at Army Headquarters, and Commanding Officer of the 1^st Combat Signal Regiment. 

Being introduced to the space domain

“As a Royal Australian Signals officer by specialisation, planning and delivering satellite communications networks for deployed forces first exposed me to the space domain. Experience in intelligence, electronic warfare and military modernisation roles later in my career all added to my understanding of the importance of space capabilities and services,” says Major General Novak. 

Major General Novak holds a Masters of Science in Information Technology and a Masters of Arts in Strategy and Policy, both from the University of New South Wales. In 2016, he was posted to the United States as the Australian Liaison Officer to United States Strategic Command. For his contributions to the Australia – United States military to military relationship, he gained a United States Legion of Merit. 

Returning to Australia in 2019, Major General Novak served as Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force. He was later appointed as Commander Defence Strategic Communications in the Chief Information Officer Group. In 2023 he became Commander of the Australian Army’s 6^th Brigade, and in 2024 was named as the Commander Space Command. He was awarded Member of the Order of Australia in the 2023 Australia Day Honours for exceptional service in ADF command and liaison appointments.

“Australia’s space industry is active, innovative and ideally placed to realise emerging space technologies across the widest range of Australian government and commercial sectors. This doesn’t just support Australia’s assured access to space and space services. Industry achievements and successes equally inspire and provide opportunities for young Australians to pursue a space career. Collectively, I feel this places industry at the core of Australia’s continued standing as a key contributor to space globally. Such efforts will in turn enable Australia to encourage responsible behaviours and sustainable activity in space, ensuring the space domain remains accessible for peaceful endeavours and exploration now and in the future.”