ICN Gateway, and how defence projects use it.
It's where project owners list their work and suppliers keep a profile. This guide covers what it costs and how defence uses it.
What it is
ICN Gateway is the online platform of the Industry Capability Network. Project owners use it to list upcoming work, broken into work packages, and suppliers use it to show what they can do.
The company behind it is Industry Capability Network Limited, which began in Victoria in 1984. It says it's independent because it's funded by its company members and subscribers.
The Australian Government funds ICN's national office through the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Each state and territory office lists its own funders.
Where defence work shows up on it
The Australian Submarine Agency asks businesses to register interest through its Industry Engagement Portal, which is a project on ICN Gateway. It says upcoming engagement opportunities will be published there.
The submarine qualification pathways run through it too. The agency sends expressions of interest for DIVQ through ASC's portal on ICN Gateway, and for AUSSQ through H&B Defence's.
When a project owner lists a new work package, ICN Gateway notifies every registered company. You then express interest in the package, for all of its scope or part of it.
What it costs
You can join for free on the Limited package, which lets you build a profile and submit expressions of interest. The catch is that a Limited profile doesn't appear publicly on ICN Gateway or in its search results.
To be seen, you need a paid package. ICN's join page listed these yearly prices on 15 October 2026:
- Be Seen, $190. A basic public listing, with work package and project search.
- Be Compelling, $720.
- Premium, $1,780.
The paid packages add features such as a featured search listing and a capability statement. ICN's terms say GST applies to its invoices.
What a buyer sees
Project owners and procurement managers can search profiles, and so can ICN's own industry specialists. The search looks at your company name first, then at the keywords across your profile, such as your products and services.
Your company name is linked to your ABN, so the two should match. ICN's advice is to list your capabilities and accreditations clearly, and its quad chart guidance names certifications such as AS9100 and NADCAP.
What it won't do for you
ICN connects suppliers with project owners. It doesn't pick companies for tenders or take part in negotiations, and an expression of interest doesn't guarantee an invitation to tender.
Sources
- Gateway by ICN, Join (packages and prices) (opens in a new tab)
- Gateway by ICN, How it works (opens in a new tab)
- Gateway by ICN, FAQ (opens in a new tab)
- ICN, About (opens in a new tab)
- ICN, Terms of use (opens in a new tab)
- Australian Submarine Agency, Engage with the ASA (opens in a new tab)
- Australian Submarine Agency, Qualification pathways (opens in a new tab)
Every source was read on 15 October 2026. Ironpeak Consulting is independent. It has no affiliation with, and no endorsement from, ICN or the Australian Submarine Agency.
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