Pathways beyond study
Propel your career in defence & space forward
Whether you’ve recently graduated, have been working in the defence or space industries for a while, or you’re looking for a career change, there are plenty of options available to take your career to the next level.
Opportunities
AIML Postgraduate Programs
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.
ASC’s International Opportunities
Train overseas for a long-term career in Australia with ASC, a key partner in the nation’s nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) program.
Opportunities are available to live, work and learn in the UK for up to 2 years or the US for 2–3 years, gaining world-leading training in nuclear technology and setting yourself up for a secure career in in Australia’s SSN program – the nation’s largest-ever industrial endeavour.
BMT Training Courses
BMT is a leading international design, engineering, science and risk management consultancy who offer several industry-specific training courses to support your learning and development needs. Training ranges from longer digital and face-to-face courses to shorter e-Learning courses.
Certificate II & IV in Aeroskills
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)
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.
Defence Industry Leadership Program (DILP)
The Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) delivers the Defence Industry Leadership Program each year. Over 240 students have graduated from the program that provides targeted, hands on, professional development that equips employees in the defence industry with personal and professional leadership skills.
Defence Industry Pathways Program (DIPP)
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).
Elevate: Boosting Women in STEM
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.
Flinders University Masters & PHD Courses
Ongoing partnerships with Australia’s largest and most complex defence programs give Flinders graduates the chance to further develop their skills in real world circumstances with Masters & PHD opportunities in defence-orientated fields across all disciplines.
Introduction to Naval Shipbuilding
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.
Microsoft Traineeship Program
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.
School of Information Operations (SOIO)
SOIO offers a wide range of different defence training courses. From under the sea to space, SOIO’s experienced instructors teach you the theory and practice for what you need to know about Defence operations in multiple domains.
South Australia Defence, Space & Cyber Scholarship
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.
STEM Returners
STEM Returners targets people with STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths) skills who may have had extended career breaks or are keen to move from another sector into the Defence industry. The program works to match highly qualified and experienced STEM professionals with open positions in the industry so they can re-start their career or transfer their skills to new career opportunities.
The University of Adelaide’s Master of Cyber Security
With governments and organisations all over the world actively seeking cyber security experts with advanced technical skills and an understanding of the social and legal contexts of the digital world, the Master of Cyber Security is a valuable tool for up-skilling in a fast-growing sector.
The University of Adelaide’s Master of Maritime Engineering
Delivered in collaboration with ASC, Australia’s builder and sustainer of the Navy’s fleet of Collins Class submarines, the degree will develop and enhance prior expertise and build highly sought after knowledge and practical skills.
UniSA’s Global Executive Master of Business Administration (Defence and Space)
The Global Executive Master of Business Administration (Defence and Space) is designed to meet the workforce development needs of these rapidly expanding sectors. A unique collaboration with international defence and space experts, the 18-month program is delivered across three countries: Australia, the UK and the USA.
Graduate programs
ASA’s Nuclear Graduate Program
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
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
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.
Babcock Australasia Graduate Program
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’s Graduate Program
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 Australia’s Graduate Program
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.
Defence Graduate Program: Research & Innovation
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.
Defence Industry Engineering Graduate Program
An 18-month course (2 hours per week) professional development course designed to equip graduates with critical skills to thrive in the defence industry.
Lockheed Martin Graduate Development Program
The Lockheed Martin Graduate Development Program is designed to expose you to unique learning opportunities, while contributing to stimulating, ground-breaking projects.
Nova Systems’ Graduate Program
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.
QinetiQ Australia Graduate Development Program
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 GradX Program
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.
SAAB Australia’s Graduate Program
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.
Defence & Space Industry Jobs
Check out the employment pages of some of South Australia’s leading defence and space industry companies to what jobs are available now.