Following a successful pilot program in April 2021, Defence has launched a new Defence Industry Secondment Program. Registrations are now open for businesses interested in participating in the program, with new opportunities available for both industry and personnel. Offered to senior Australian Public Service employees and Australian Defence Force members, the program aims to promote diverse thinking and use education and immersive experiences to enhance the working relationship between Defence and industry. The program also promotes knowledge sharing and the development of resilient, competitive employees to achieve common strategic goals. Interested participants can choose to participate in Generalist or Specialist ...

Matthew Cave, the recipient of the South Australian Premier’s Defence Industry Scholarship, has secured full time employment at APC Technology following his 20-week placement. The Flinders University engineering student has accepted a permanent position as an undergraduate engineer throughout his final year of study. Matthew said the placement offered him hands on industrial experience where he could apply his theoretical knowledge. “On reflection, I cannot believe how much I have been exposed to during my placement,” he said. “I had the opportunity to work on a multitude of projects, all at various stages. “[Now], my position as an undergraduate engineer ...

The need for businesses to have better cyber security capability is growing by the minute, providing a range of career opportunities in the cyber and systems sector. Whether it’s protecting your Instagram profile, your banking details or the design of a top secret submarine, cyber security is everyone’s business. Cybercrime, data and privacy breaches, fraud, social engineering and ransomware attacks can all have a devastating impact on companies and individuals, especially when it comes to information and systems that have a national security interest. Being able to live and operate safely and securely in an increasingly digital world is why we ...

Defence Science and Technology Group is calling on Australian universities, research organisations and industry to provide their input on a number of defence-related research topics, including: Information Warfare Innovation Community – expressions of interest close 31 October 2021. Defence Artificial Intelligence Research Network (DAIRNet) Call – proposals close 11 November Remote Undersea Surveillance Advisory Group – submissions close 12 November 2021 Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Standing Offer Panel – proposals close 16 November 2021 Multi-Function Aperture (MFA) Grand Challenge Research Phase 2 – submissions close 18 November 2021  

With Australian Cyber Week underway, the Australian Government has opened applications for more than $60 million in grant funding through round two of the Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund. Aiming to increase the nation’s cyber security capabilities and workforce, the grants will support innovative projects by enhancing partnerships between industry, education providers and governments. The government is seeking projects that will improve the diversity of Australia’s cyber security workforce, in particular projects that could boost participation of women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people in regional and remote areas, and those with neurodiverse backgrounds. The development of specialist ...

Defence has opened the tender for the upgrades and sustainment of the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart class destroyers at the Osborne Naval Shipyard. The tender, which calls for a Capability Life Cycle Manager, will see the successful applicant appointed to provide industry support and sustain the destroyers over the vessels’ lifespan, including delivering upgrades to the combat management system. The Australian Government’s plans to invest up to $5.1 billion toward upgrades at Osborne Naval Shipyard as part of a major expansion of Australia’s naval capabilities was announced in September. An industry briefing is expected to be held on 4 November ...

Local defence company XTEK is set to produce specialist ballistic armour products for the United States government at their Adelaide manufacturing facility. A US$1.1 million (AUD$1.5 million) purchase from an undisclosed US government department includes hard armour plates and ballistic helmets. The company’s Manufacturing and R&D Centre in Adelaide primarily focuses on the development of XTclave ballistic armour and lightweight composite technologies, making it an ideal site for producing high-quality frontline combatant products to protect personnel. Production will be shared across XTEK’s Adelaide, Columbus and Ohio facilities. The order is expected to be delivered towards the end of the 2022 ...

A new pilot program to uplift the cyber resilience of small businesses in the defence supply chain will help local SMEs secure defence contracts and improve market competitiveness. AustCyber nodes in South Australia and Queensland have partnered with Victorian-based Cynch, to pilot a cyber fitness program with targeted defence SMEs in each state that will address the cyber security resilience needs of the defence supply chain. The project will provide access to a reputable program of quality cyber security training and support intended to result in cyber hygiene uplift, which protects businesses against the loss of time, money, private information ...

Four South Australian companies are set to receive up to $300,000 each as part of a Federal Government grant aiming to solve some of the defence sector’s biggest capability challenges. Announced today by Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price, a total of 10 Australian companies will share in almost $3 million of funding as part of Defence’s Industry Competitive Evaluation Research Agreement (iCERA) under the Next Generation Technology Fund (NGTF) initiative. With a focus on delivering game-changing capability for Defence, the South Australian recipients will use the funds to develop technology in the following areas: Operational Systems - cyber Daronmont ...

A leading South Australian industrial refrigeration specialist that supplies equipment to the Australian Navy has been awarded key safety and quality certification, further supporting the company’s growth in the defence sector. Cold Logic recently secured accreditation for its quality management systems (ISO 9001) and OH&S management systems (45001) from certification body TQCSI. The industrial refrigeration and controlled environment sector supplier is now the only wholly Australian-owned company providing Australian designed and built equipment to Defence to receive the certification. Cold Logic’s manager for Defence Business & RnD, Dr Michael Riese said the company’s accreditation success demonstrates the company’s commitment to ...

Defence SA has received an Employer Support Award (SA) for outstanding support of Australian Defence Force reservists within the Public Sector. Nominated by ADF reservists, the awards are presented to organisations who are committed to supporting Navy, Army and Air Force reservists over a sustained period or through special efforts. As a Government agency, Defence SA has a long history of employing ex-full time Defence members, many of whom continue Reserve careers while pursuing their civilian careers. This is achieved through various pathways including Reserve Leave, advertising to the veteran community and encouraging other staff members to participate in activities ...

Following the announcements regarding the expansion of naval shipbuilding programs in South Australia, ASC has launched the Sovereign Shipbuilding Talent Pool for skilled workers impacted by the industry changes. ASC says options to re-deploy displaced workers throughout South Australia’s current and planned shipbuilding programs are being explored, as well as plans to build the skills crucial for the nuclear-powered submarines program announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week. This talent pool will provide affected employees with the opportunity to transition into positions within ASC, ensuring the shipbuilding workforce is maintained whilst developing new skills necessary. “ASC is committed to ...