Twenty-six university students were recognised at the Defence Industry Scholarship Program graduation ceremony held in Adelaide on 10 July 2024. Now in its fifth year, the successful South Australian Government program is administered by the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), supporting the development of a defence-ready workforce by providing students with unique insights into one of the state’s fastest growing sectors. To date, the program has provided 91 students from Flinders University, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia with grants of up to $10,000 to undertake placements across 26 host companies. With more than 10,000 jobs ...

BAE Systems Australia has welcomed a record number of apprentices to begin their defence industry careers at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia. Forty apprentices have begun their journey into technical trades onboard the Hunter class frigate program, joining more than 1,800 people already working on the project – nearly 1,400 of whom are based at Osborne. Most apprentices will start roles in manufacturing, piping and mechanical trades, along with five starting work in electro-technology and machining in the production workshops, and seven existing BAE employees continuing their career journey as mature-aged apprentices. Managing Director of BAE Systems Australia ...

A project led by Adelaide based defence software firm, Acacia Systems, has been selected to receive a $1.6 million dollar funding boost under the inaugural round of the Defence Innovation Partnership’s Activator Fund. The ‘Enhancing the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Undersea Surveillance Minimum Viable Capability’ Project aims to advance novel approaches to increase the accuracy, range, tracking and localisation of undersea threats. The Activator Fund was established to enable South Australia to participate in larger-scale innovation activities within the defence industry and supports the rapid translation of innovative technology into Defence capability. Acacia System’s Chief Executive Officer, Horden Wiltshire, talks ...

Registration is now open for companies of all sizes to host undergraduate students for a semester-long unpaid internship in 2024 under Defence SA’s Defence Industry Scholarship Program. Under the program small-sized companies can receive grants of $4,500 per student hosted, while medium-sized companies can receive a grant of $2,500 per student. The program is run in collaboration with AiGroup who work directly with companies to ensure they are matched with the best students to suit individual business requirements. The program provides a unique way to connect with future talent, with around 80 percent of the high-calibre students going on to ...

The 2023 Australian Defence Industry Network (AIDN) SA Young Achiever has been announced, with Aurizn Associate Research Scientist, Jonathan Hedger, receiving this year’s honour. The 17th annual AIDN SA Young Achiever of the Year was recognised at a celebration event held at the Naval, Military and Airforce Club in Adelaide. The award recognises the outstanding work of young professionals under the age of 30 who are working in the defence industry and making a meaningful impact in their business and to Defence. Jonathan’s passion and commitment to the defence industry was recognised among a strong field of 11 young professionals ...

Defence SA is delighted to announce the appointment of Mel Slater as Director Maritime, responsible for developing and delivering activities that grow the naval shipbuilding industry’s presence across South Australia and the nation. With over 35 years’ experience in shipbuilding construction, Mel has experience across engineering, major project and significant subcontracts, and senior management positions. Prior to joining Defence SA, Mel worked on major projects including the Attack class submarine program and AIR6500, responsible for aspects of sourcing within the supply chain through market solicitations, evaluations, subcontract negotiations and executions, with overall cost and schedule responsibilities. Mel has worked on ...

South Australian-based advanced manufacturer, AML3D, has announced a contract to manufacture and test components and additional test materials for BAE Systems Maritime Australia (BAESMA). The announcement of the prototype test part contract – which will be developed using AML3D’s Wire Arc Manufacturing (WAM®) – follows a previously announced feasibility and commercial validation testing program that demonstrated WAM® is a cost-effective solution that meets the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) standards. The prototype part is a test component for use within BAESMA’s contract to design and build the Hunter class frigates for the RAN in South Australia. AML3D’s Chief Executive Officer, Sean ...

South Australia’s Axiom Precision Manufacturing has announced a new contract with Kongsberg Defence Australia for the manufacture and delivery of ground support equipment for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) being developed under SEA 1300 Phase 1. Announced last year, the NSM is set to replace the Harpoon Anti-ship Missile capability on the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC class frigates and Hobart class destroyers. The manufacturing of the complex assemblies required for the missiles has begun at Axiom’s purpose-built, secure facilities in Wingfield, with the first deliveries due early 2024. General Manager of Kongsberg Defence Australia, John Fry, explained the organisation’s commitment ...

The Commonwealth Government will provide more than 1000 additional STEM-focused university places in SA from next year, to support South Australia’s endeavours in building nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines. The Commonwealth’s commitment will see South Australia receive more than a quarter of the 4001 new additional STEM places announced nationwide. The 1030 new places in SA represents an increase of 230 on the commitment first secured by the South Australian Government in a Cooperation Agreement with the Commonwealth in the wake of the AUKUS pact announcement in March. The decision will see 700 of the STEM places be delivered by the ...

Building on our proud legacy as Australia’s Defence State, the State Government has partnered with the Commonwealth Government to help the defence industry shore up the necessary pipeline of highly skilled workers required to fulfil current and horizon projects – funding workforce initiatives that help attract, upskill and retain workers.   The South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report details targeted initiatives that accelerate the work already underway to grow the South Australian defence industry workforce. Building a capability pipeline across education, training and employment, the initiatives are designed to grow a skilled and inclusive workforce; from school, VET and ...

The 2023 Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition, held in Sydney from 7-9 November, proved momentum is strong for Australia’s naval shipbuilding industry with multiple event records broken.   More than 27,000 delegates were in attendance across the three day event – up from 25,000 in 2022 – and the exhibition floor space was 13% larger than the previous record with 832 participating exhibitors from 21 nations. The record-breaking streak continued for South Australia with more than 80 local organisations participating on the South Australia – The Defence State stand, which was the largest delegation of any state or territory at ...

The Arafura class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) NUSHIP Eyre has been launched at South Australia’s world-class Osborne Naval Shipyard. Named for the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, NUSHIP Eyre is the second in a fleet of 12 OPVs being built by Luerssen Australia for the Royal Australian Navy. It is the last of its class to be constructed in South Australia and follows the launch of NUSHIP Arafura in December 2021. South Australian Deputy Premier and Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Susan Close, said the vessel’s launch represented an important milestone in the state’s continuous naval shipbuilding program. “The ...