The Jabiru S4 was announced in early 2001, being a development of the Company’s Avtech Jabiru two-seat series but available as a four-seat aircraft. A number of variants were proposed, the S4 two-seater designed to meet AUF restrictions, being larger than the previous model and having additional room for luggage

The Jabiru was designed and built originally by a company known as Avtech Pty Ltd, which was formed in 1988, and which subsequently became known as Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd.