For Students & Graduates

A STEM education centre for students aged 8-18 that provides hands-on experience working with real robots and automated systems, helping students develop the skills necessary for a successful future career.

This course prepares year 11 and 12 with a range of entry level maritime skills and assist students to fast track their maritime career as either an engineer or deck officer.

Certificate II and IV in Aeroskills is a South Australian Government subsidised program for students to start their journey toward an engineering apprenticeship in the aviation industry.

Delivered at Adelaide Airport, the course focuses on mechanical aircraft engineering and provides a strong foundation in both theory and practical skills.

Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Apprentice Stream) offers a fully-funded, industry-leading pathway to becoming an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) in mechanical or avionics specialisations.

Aligned with CASA Part 147 standards, this 4-year apprenticeship program, funded by the South Australian Government, provides hands-on experience in the workplace. Graduates will be fully qualified to embark on a rewarding career in aircraft maintenance engineering.

The CyberCX Academy is a paid, full-time program designed to launch meaningful careers in cyber security, with no prior experience needed.

Open to recent university and TAFE graduates, school leavers, career changers and those re-entering the workforce, the program offers six months of structured training followed by placement in a specialist role within CyberCX.

The Defence Industry Pathways Program (DIPP) is a 12-month paid traineeship that awards graduates with a 52904WA Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways. This program provides hands-on training and experience across various sectors of the defence industry, including manufacturing and engineering, computing, logistics, procurement, technical drawing and computer-aided design (CAD).

A three-year paid-to-learn training model for high school graduates that sees them earn the nationally accredited Diploma of Applied Technologies. Work with industry-leading technology and gain real-time experience in workplace problem solving.

Co-located and run in conjunction with Findon High School, students in years 10 to 12 at the technical college can get a head start to a career in advanced manufacturing and engineering. The college has partnered with BAE Systems, Liebherr and Axiom Precision Manufacturing, to deliver the program and fast-track your defence industry career.

Forge Your Future aims to shine a light on exciting STEM fields in high demand – including engineering, trades, digital and ICT, and program management – and provides practical support to help students build the skills required in these fast-growing areas.

The 12-month program comprises a mix of virtual and in-person activities and includes virtual work experience and career events with defence industry employers.

The Space Academy empowers students to develop a passion, skills, knowledge and experience that will prepare them for university and further education linking to careers in the space industry. Program available for students beginning in Year 7.

LaunchBox makes space exploration accessible to Year 7 and 8 students. The program lets students design, build, and compete to launch their own CubeSat using stratospheric balloons.

This course aims to provide students with skills and competencies required in engineering trades that are in high demand in the maritime, allied and defence industries. Students are supported by local industry partnerships for visits and workplace learning.

The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Year 12 Program gives students that are about to start year 12 a broader understanding of study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Staying on campus at university colleges, students are immersed in science and technology.

Applications for 2026 program close on 20 June 2025

Playford Trust scholarships and awards support students to achieve their potential and contribute to South Australia’s growth in key areas like space, defence, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.

With up to 70 scholarships available each year, from first-year students to PhD candidates, there are opportunities for all levels of study.

TAFE award applications usually open in July, and university scholarships in August.

The Shipbuilding Employment Pathways Program provides and exciting opportunity to pursue a Certificate III in one of the following areas:

• Engineering – Fabrication
• Engineering – Mechanical
• Electrotechnology – Electrician

A purpose-built trade school that offers education, training and apprenticeship pathways to Year 10-12 students. The College offers a different style of education from mainstream schools, focussed on students who love to work with their hands. The metals and engineering program at the college is a great pathway to prepare students for a career in the defence industry.

An outreach program for students in Years 12 who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, and maths. Run by the University of Adelaide, the Academy aims to show students how to turn their passion for STEM into a career.

The STEM Fast Track programs are designed for young women and men aged 14-17 who enjoy STEM subjects but may not be certain about pursuing those careers. The Programs are delivered over three days and teach real life skills in STEM.

A scholarship fund to support high school students from under-represented groups (low socioeconomic status students, especially girls and Aboriginal learners) to pursue science and mathematics (STEM) subjects at the SACE Stage 1 and 2 level.

Students can explore pathways to careers in the defence and space industries that can be started without additional study, connect with employers, browse work experience, plan their career journey and more.

Co-located and run in conjunction with The Heights School, students at the technical college can get a head start to a career in an in-demand industry including advanced manufacturing and aeroskills (aviation maintenance). The college will support students in years 10 to 12 to complete their SACE while undertaking vocational education and training (VET) in state-of-the-art specialist facilities.

Located in the Tonsley Innovation Precinct, Tonsley Technical College will welcome students from 2026. The technical college will support students in years 10 to 12 to complete their SACE while undertaking vocational education and training (VET) in state-of-the-art specialist facilities. The college has partnered with ASC to develop training for a career in the defence industry.

Western Technical College delivers nationally accredited training that equips students with the skills needed to support the Defence, Shipbuilding and Maritime Industries. While completing their SACE, students undertake nationally recognised VET courses, and can experience work placements, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships with industry.

ASC’s Apprenticeship Program offers hands-on training in Australia’s submarine industry, supported by experienced mentors and the Learning and Development team.

Opportunities are available in the Electrical, Fabrication – Boilermaker/Welder and Mechanical – Fitter streams at Osborne, leading to nationally recognised trade qualifications.

ASC’s Undergraduate Engineer Program offers a 12- or 20-week placement, giving students hands-on experience working on real defence projects alongside leading industry experts.

Based at ASC’s Osborne site, the program offers opportunities to students undertaking Bachelor Degrees across electrical, structural, materials, mechanical, naval architecture and software engineering disciplines.

Aurizn Early Careers Program offers a structured pathway from student to professional, combining paid experience, tailored development and a smooth transition into full-time work.

Starting with a 12-week paid internship, the program supports your final year studies with flexible work and leads to graduate roles in software engineering or data science.

ASAC returns in 2025, bringing students, graduates and professionals together to design solutions for building in space and on Earth. Open to a range of disciplines, the free competition offers $6,000 in prizes, industry mentorship and the chance to contribute to real-world innovation.

Registrations close on 30 June 2025.

BAE Systems Summer Internship Program offers a 12-week paid placement for university students in their second-to-last year of study, running from mid-November to mid-February.

With over 20 disciplines available, it’s a great opportunity to gain real-world experience that aligns with your studies and career goals.

BAE Systems Apprenticeship Program offers paid, on-the-job and classroom training in shipbuilding, aircraft maintenance and advanced manufacturing in Adelaide.

Apprentices earn while they learn toward an industry-recognised trade qualification, supported by a dedicated buddy and mentor, working on real defence projects with structured development and regular feedback.

Offering students in second, third- or fourth-year university a chance to apply studies to real-life situations in the workplace in engineering, business and IT.  Interns are also offered mentoring and peer-support programs.

Boeing Apprenticeship and Traineeship Programs offer hands-on training and real-world experience in a world-class aerospace environment.

Delivered through Boeing Aerostructures Australia and Boeing Defence Australia, these programs help you become a qualified tradesperson while working on live projects and building a strong foundation for long-term career growth.

Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Apprentice Stream) offers a fully-funded, industry-leading pathway to becoming an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) in mechanical or avionics specialisations.

Aligned with CASA Part 147 standards, this 4-year apprenticeship program, funded by the South Australian Government, provides hands-on experience in the workplace. Graduates will be fully qualified to embark on a rewarding career in aircraft maintenance engineering.

The CyberCX Academy is a paid, full-time program designed to launch meaningful careers in cyber security, with no prior experience needed.

Open to recent university and TAFE graduates, school leavers, career changers and those re-entering the workforce, the program offers six months of structured training followed by placement in a specialist role within CyberCX.

This Program is one of 22 initiatives being developed as part of the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report released in November 2023.

Delivered by the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), this program supports eligible students in defence industry-aligned courses and help them transition from study to employment by undertaking work placements with a local defence company.

The Defence Industry Internship Program (DIIP) provides Engineering and Technology university students with direct connections to the Defence Industry by facilitating a 12-week (450 hour) paid internship in small to medium defence industry businesses across Australia.

The Defence Trailblazer Student Placements & Projects (SPP) program offers paid internships, placements and projects for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students in the defence industry.

Gain hands-on experience, earn $1,200 per week (pro-rata), and build skills alongside industry experts in a sector driving innovation and national capability.

ATSE’s Elevate: Boosting women in STEM program will award up to 500 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to women and non-binary people in STEM.

Want to study defence and national security at Flinders University but unsure which course might be right for you? Check out what courses are available at Bedford Park, Tonsley or online through Flinders University. Flinders students also get a 20-week placement with a major defence company.

Flinders University combines a global focus with strong connections to local industry to provide a range of pathways for students interested in starting a career in defence or space.

A 4-week (3-5 hours per week) self-paced online course that introduces a range of key concepts, terminology, vessels and ship systems to help students prepare for employment in the Australian Naval Shipbuilding industry.

Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship is a five-year program that lets you earn a salary while studying, combining classroom learning with real-world experience in the defence industry.

Offered by Flinders University in partnership with companies like BAE Systems Australia and ASC Pty Ltd, this hands-on pathway leads to an Honours degree and career-ready engineering skills.

Designed to help budding technology and IT professionals take the first step in their career, it gives students the chance to gain paid on-the-job experience, a Certificate IV in Information Technology delivered by TAFE, industry-recognised Microsoft Certifications and more.

The Nova Systems Internship Program provide placements for university students in their penultimate or final year of studies, whose tertiary qualifications are aligned to Nova’s core offerings.

Playford Trust scholarships and awards support students to achieve their potential and contribute to South Australia’s growth in key areas like space, defence, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.

With up to 70 scholarships available each year, from first-year students to PhD candidates, there are opportunities for all levels of study.

TAFE award applications usually open in July, and university scholarships in August.

A QinetiQ traineeship or apprenticeship encompasses science, technology and business disciplines, with options for both workshop and office environments. You’ll be part of a growing business and support QinetiQ’s specialised capabilities with world-class, on-the-job training.

Rheinmetall’s Apprenticeship and Traineeship Program offers hands-on pathways into specialised manufacturing careers, combining practical experience with nationally accredited qualifications.

Launched in 2021, the program supports trades in engineering, mechanical and logistics, giving participants the chance to work on some of the most advanced defence platforms in Australia.

Rheinmetall’s Summer Internship Program offers paid, hands-on experience to students in their penultimate or final year of undergraduate study, providing a direct pathway into the company’s Graduate Program.

Running from November to February, the program includes real-world projects, professional development, and structured feedback, with opportunities for ongoing part-time work.

UNISA offers Australia’s first Software Engineering Degree Apprenticeship, giving students the opportunity to gain a degree over five years while undertaking paid work at a defence industry business.

This scholarship empowers future leaders in research by supporting PhD and Post-Doctoral scholars to undertake world-class studies between South Australia and the US.

With funding of up to US$40,000, this scholarship strengthens global collaboration in defence, space, and cyber security, nurturing the next generation of innovators shaping SA’s future.

The STEM Cadetship Program offers students a head start to a rewarding career in Defence by offering an entry-level employment pathway for high performing tertiary students currently studying a relevant Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) or Photography and Imaging degree.

Defence Science and Technology Group’s SVP gives university students a taste of what it’s like to work in a STEM career over the 12-week summer break.

The University of Adelaide offers a range of degree programs that will put you on the fast-track to launch a career in defence, cyber security or Australia’s thriving space sector.

On offer via a range of degrees, the University of Adelaide’s Defence System major gives students access to courses related to complex systems, human factors and systems engineering, and provides hands-on experience working with defence organisations in SA.

A course that provides students with knowledge and skills to enhance their entry-level employment prospects for apprenticeships, traineeships or general employment in an engineering-related workplace.

UniSA offers a full range of Bachelor, Master and PhD degree programs that help students get ready for work in the defence industry, from aviation to engineering and project management.

The Australian Institute of Machine Learning (AIML) brings together researchers and industry to provide big data capability with the potential to make the nation safer and more secure. AIML offers a range of postgraduate academic programs managed through the University of Adelaide’s School of Computer Science.

The ASA’s Nuclear Graduate Program offers graduates the opportunity to contribute to the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine project while launching their professional careers. This program seeks high-performing, adaptable, and innovative graduates passionate about making a lasting impact.

ASC’s Corporate Graduate Program provides an introduction to a corporate career in the defence industry. Conducted over two years, it exposes graduates to unique aspects of ASC’s business through rotations across multiple departments.

Based in Osborne, the program offers roles in IT (including Cyber Security), People and Culture, Project Management, Supply Chain, Operations, and WHSE, with a contract provided upon entry.

ASC’s Graduate Engineer Program is a two-year program that builds engineering careers through hands-on experience, mentoring and rotations across multiple disciplines.

Opportunities are available in Electrical, Structural, Materials, Mechanical, Naval Architecture and Software Engineering, with graduates offered a contract at the start of the program.

ASAC returns in 2025, bringing students, graduates and professionals together to design solutions for building in space and on Earth. Open to a range of disciplines, the free competition offers $6,000 in prizes, industry mentorship and the chance to contribute to real-world innovation.

Registrations close on 30 June 2025.

Babcock’s Early Careers Program is a two-year graduate program that offers participants the opportunity to apply their technical skills and training in a practical environment, alongside an established team of industry professionals.

BAE Systems Australia offers graduate positions that provide first-hand experience working on a range of real-world defence projects. Opportunities exist across varied disciplines including engineering, information technology, human resources, finance and project management

Boeing Graduate Program is a full-time opportunity for recent or soon-to-be graduates to kickstart their careers with hands-on experience and professional development.

With roles available in Adelaide, graduates can grow their skills in engineering, IT, computer science, finance, operations and supply chain management.

The Combat Systems Engineering Micro-credentials are a training initiative developed by the Defence Trailblazer in partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia.

Designed for professionals across the defence industry, the program offers flexible, self-paced learning through a mix of online modules and in-person workshops, focused on the design, integration and sustainment of advanced defence systems.

The CyberCX Academy is a paid, full-time program designed to launch meaningful careers in cyber security, with no prior experience needed.

Open to recent university and TAFE graduates, school leavers, career changers and those re-entering the workforce, the program offers six months of structured training followed by placement in a specialist role within CyberCX.

Kickstart your career as a recent graduate working with Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). This 12-month program will give you a chance to see how DSTG works, learn on the job skills, and be placed into an ongoing role with the group upon program completion.

An 18-month course (2 hours per week) professional development course designed to equip graduates with critical skills to thrive in the defence industry.

ATSE’s Elevate: Boosting women in STEM program will award up to 500 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to women and non-binary people in STEM.

The Lockheed Martin Graduate Development Program is designed to expose you to unique learning opportunities, while contributing to stimulating, ground-breaking projects.

A two-year program that provides graduates with the experience, supervision, mentoring and training necessary to make the best possible start to your career, and make a meaningful contribution to the Nova Systems business and clients.

Playford Trust scholarships and awards support students to achieve their potential and contribute to South Australia’s growth in key areas like space, defence, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.

With up to 70 scholarships available each year, from first-year students to PhD candidates, there are opportunities for all levels of study.

TAFE award applications usually open in July, and university scholarships in August.

QinetiQ’s 18-month program allows graduates to be exposed to the full depth and breadth of the defence industry, with three six-month placements in any area of your choice.

Raytheon Australia’s innovative and unique GradX program gives ten undergraduates from varying disciplines the opportunity to join Raytheon in their last year of study, with a guaranteed full-time position upon completion of their degree.

Rheinmetall’s Graduate Program provides a platform to launch careers in the defence industry, providing a strong technical foundation through mentoring, technical rotations and development programs while offering opportunities to work on innovative projects and future technologies. All graduates are offered permanent positions from the outset.

The program has two main intakes in January and July, with flexibility for alternative start dates.

The two-year graduate program offers the opportunity to work across teams on a rotation so you can work alongside experienced engineers to deliver a range of world-leading and innovative projects. Following successful completion of the program, graduates are placed into a permanent position within the organisation.