Latest News from ADA-Vic

Landmark Legislation to Bolster National Security and Remove Red Tape for Australian Industry

The Australian Parliament yesterday passed landmark legislation that will strengthen Australia’s national security and support local industry by unlocking defence trade, innovation and collaboration with our AUKUS partners.

The Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act 2024 (DTC Act) protects our cutting-edge military technologies by enhancing our export control regime.

It will fast-track the delivery of high-end capabilities to the Australian Defence Force by streamlining trade and collaboration with our AUKUS partners, maintaining Australia’s capability edge.

This new legislation removes red tape in defence trade with our AUKUS partners by supporting the establishment of a licence-free environment for Australian industry, higher education and research sectors.

It will unlock investment and collaboration opportunities for Australian defence industry under the AUKUS framework, with the national exemption for export permits to the US and UK to benefit an estimated $5 billion in annual defence exports.

AUKUS Build and Sustainment Partners Announced

Last Friday The Government announced Australia’s Sovereign Submarine Build Partner and Sovereign Submarine Sustainment Partner.

The announcement is a critical step towards the construction of Australia’s SSN‑AUKUS submarines at Osborne, South Australia, and sustainment of our nuclear‑powered submarines, including through Submarine Rotational Force-West, in Western Australia.

These partnerships mark the start of further extensive opportunities for Australian industry and workers, underpinning the single biggest capability acquisition in our nation’s history and creating around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years, supporting the Government’s vision for a Future Made in Australia.

Working with our AUKUS partners, Australia is not just acquiring world-leading submarine technology, but building a new production line, supply chain and sustainment capability for conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines in Australia

The Government has selected ASC Pty Ltd and BAE Systems to build Australia’s SSN‑AUKUS submarines. These world-leading companies will work closely together to establish the foundations of the complex project and will initially form a collaborative arrangement, which will lead to the establishment of a long-term incorporated Joint Venture within Australia.

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The announcement of Australia’s sovereign submarine build and sustainment partners maximises Australian industry involvement and jobs in the build and sustainment of Australia’s next generation conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

A strong defence industry is critical to providing the deterrence our strategic circumstances demand. This is a whole-of-nation undertaking that will see around 20,000 jobs created across Australia, with unprecedented opportunities for Australian industry at home and abroad with our AUKUS partners. It is the opportunity to build a Future Made in Australia, by Australians, with record investments in defence, skills, jobs and infrastructure.

The continued development of our industry and workforce is not just important for Australia, but is also pivotal for building more robust and resilient supply chains for all AUKUS partners. This is a key element and strength of the AUKUS trilateral partnership.

The Government will continue collaboration with AUKUS partners and industry, including ASC Pty Ltd and BAE Systems to develop Australian supply chains and facilitate industry participation in the United Kingdom and United States supply chains. Part of this coordination is the development of an efficient vendor qualification process.

To this end, in January the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program was launched. With the assistance of AUKUS partners, the program is reducing barriers and streamlining process as we accelerate the entry of Australian products into UK and US supply chains. Once qualified, Australian companies will be well-positioned to contribute to international supply chains, working with UK and US industrial partners.

In its initial wave, the program is working with 26 companies to qualify supplies across four product families to meet US supply chain requirements. The next wave will expand the program to qualify suppliers into both the US and UK supply chains and will commence in mid-2024.

For further information on becoming involved in the build and sustainment supply chains, on the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program and industry engagement activities, companies and industry can register their interest through www.asa.gov.au.

AUKUS Electronic Warfare Innovation Challenge

Industry and academia are invited to respond to a request for proposals (RFP) for the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s first AUKUS Innovation Challenge in Electronic Warfare.

The AUKUS innovation challenges will seek solutions to shared problems across Australia, the United Kingdom and United States. The government innovation programs of each nation will conduct this inaugural challenge simultaneously.

This challenge will focus on Defence’s ability to leverage electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) technologies and capabilities that provide a competitive advantage to electromagnetic targeting, and those that protect Defence from adversary electromagnetic targeting capabilities.

The 6 key elements of the targeting cycle that Defence is interested in improving through development and transition of innovative technologies are:

find: identify a target using the EMS
fix: identify a target's location using the EMS
track: monitor a target's movement using the EMS
target: select and apply appropriate EMS assets and/or EMS enabled weapon systems
engage: apply EMS assets and enabled weapons to a target
assess: evaluate effects of an attack using the EMS.

Further details of the AUKUS Electronic Warfare Innovation Challenge RFP is available on the AusTender website.

Defence & Industry Study Course (DISC 2024)

Victorian Government Support

The Defence and Industry Study Course (DISC) is a seven-month course delivered by Defence and attended by ADF members, defence industry and Federal and State agencies.

The course costs $11,000 GST inclusive. DISC 2024 applications closed 5pm Friday 1st March 2024.

DISC provides unparalleled access to Defence and the sector for industry. The benefits for industry to attend are invaluable and the Victorian Government is offering funding of up to $5,500 excluding GST for attendance of employees of eligible businesses.

The process for seeking Victorian Government assistance is separate to applying to Defence to attend DISC. Victorian defence SMEs that have submitted applications to Defence for staff to attend DISC 2024 can also apply for Victorian government financial assistance for staff to attend the course. These applications will be assessed against a set of program guidelines following Defence advice on the final panel for the course.

Please note:

The Victorian government is offering funds of up $5,500 excluding GST (or 50% of the course fee) for up to five participants from eligible Victorian businesses to attend DISC.
To apply for Victorian Government assistance the participants and businesses must have submitted an application to Defence to attend DISC 2024.

The application form to apply for Victorian Government assistance to attend DISC 2024 is attached below.

Application form - Victorian Government support to attend DISC 2024.docx

All applications for Victorian Government assistance must be submitted to defence@ecodev.vic.gov.au and applications close 5pm Friday 29 March 2024.

Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund – Strategic Element

Expressions of interest are now open for the Global Science & Technology Diplomacy Fund - Strategic Element and are closing 31 May 2024.

$6 million in grants are available to grow international collaboration in our region, enhance Australia’s standing as a science and technology leader, and drive innovation and commercialisation in priority areas.

Grants from AUD $100,000 to $1,000,000 are available for eligible Australian organisations collaborating on key areas of science and technology with priority partner countries across the Asia-Pacific.

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please register for the webinar to be held on Wednesday 3 April, 2024

More info >

Nominations Close
15 April 2024

Recognising people and businesses rather than products and platforms, the Australian Defence Industry Awards universally acknowledges all defence industry stakeholders, from primes, SMEs, academic institutions and associations to high-performing individuals such as defence executives, Indigenous and female leaders, students, scientists, technicians, and academics.

The awards are open to all businesses operating in Australia supporting the defence supply chain and have become a desirable accolade for individuals and businesses seeking to forge their role in the defence industry. Take the first step to being recognised at a national level and build a reputation for excellence.

More info >

The Victorian Land Systems Fund – Supply Chain Uplift Program will support Victorian defence industry businesses to work with Hanwha Defense Australia (Hanwha) as part of its supply chain. The program will help build businesses’ capabilities so they can help Hanwha deliver the Commonwealth Government’s $1 billion Land 8116 Self-Propelled Howitzer program.

Funding will support eligible Victorian businesses to:

gain relevant accreditations and meet industry specific compliance requirements
prepare tenders
undertake minor facilities upgrades and equipment fit outs
develop new or enhance current defence products or services
undertake defence R&D
participate in trade missions to pursue collaboration and export opportunities.

Businesses must engage with Hanwha and receive its support before applying.

Applications to the Victorian Land Systems Fund Supply Chain Uplift Program are now open and close on 30 June 2024 or when funds have been exhausted, whichever comes first.

Industry Growth Program - Support for Innovative SMEs to Commercialise and Grow their Business

The program supports innovative small and medium enterprises undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas through advisory services and opportunities for matched grant funding. Minor changes or improvements to existing products or services are not considered innovative.

You will be connected to an Industry Growth Program Adviser who will provide tailored advice to support your commercialisation and/or growth project.

Once you have received this advice, you may also be able to apply for:

grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to support early-stage commercialisation projects
grants of $100,000 to $5 million for commercialisation and growth projects.

Industry Growth Program Grants will open in 2024.

More info >

Strategic Policy Grants Program

The Defence Strategic Policy Grants Program (SPGP) funds independent work to deepen public debate on strategic issues relevant to Australia and inform the development of Australia’s defence policy and strategy.

The SPGP is an annual, open and competitive grant opportunity that funds independent strategic policy-focused research and related activities, such as conferences, dialogues, simulations and seminars.

For SPGP 2024, a total of $3.5 million is available over the period between 2024 and 2027, with total funding spread across multiple grants.

The objectives of the program are to support the achievement of Defence’s purpose, mission and purpose by:

deepening public debate about Australia’s strategic and defence policy choices
informing the development of Australia’s defence policy and strategy
strengthening Defence’s international and domestic partnerships
broadening participation in Australia’s strategic and defence policy debate.

The intended outcomes of the program are:

the publication of original, well-informed and policy-relevant research
engagements between Defence and leading non-government experts
events and activities involving Defence’s international and domestic counterparts
participation by new and emerging talent in Australia’s strategic and defence policy debate.

Applications for SPGP 2024 must be lodged by organisations holding an Australian Business Number or equivalent business registration number. Individuals with different organisational affiliations can submit a joint application to SPGP 2024. This must identify a project lead as well as a lead organisation accountable to the Australian Government, through Defence, for any agreed grant activities.

To be eligible the grant activity must:

support Defence’s purpose, mission and priorities
satisfy one or more of the program’s objectives and outcomes
align with priorities and challenges outlined in the Defence Strategic Review
be new, unfunded, and distinct from any business-as-usual activity.

More info >

Australian Space Industry Capability Database

The Australian Space Industry Capability database will open for industry submissions from mid-July. Companies can upload information on their:

• Location

• Capability

• Workforce

The database has been developed by SIAA and is supported by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), the Australian Space Agency, the Office of Defence Industry Support and SmartSat CRC.

Australia Partner Network

Leidos Australia is focused on working with Australian Industry for delivery of all of our projects. We know the importance of supporting the growth of sovereign capability and would like to work with more Australian businesses at all stages of our delivery lifecycle.

We encourage Australian companies, who are interested in working with us on the opportunities identified above or on other business requirements as they arise, to complete the following registration form.

In your submission, you should highlight your experience with any relevant Defence, Intelligence, ICT and cyber capabilities and technologies. Our team will then be in touch to identify potential next steps.

Australian Defence Export Office Pitch Training Program

The ADEO, in partnership with Marketing Entourage, have created a five week online pitch training program specifically for businesses looking to export defence and dual use goods and services. This training is fully subsidised for Australian Defence Industry businesses.

The program is specifically designed to improve the chances of success for Australian defence industry companies when engaging with opportunities to pitch their capabilities to foreign military and military suppliers. The training is delivered through a series of webinars, online modules and one-to-one pitch practice sessions.

Australian Defence Industry businesses are encouraged to apply by registering their interest at the link below. Multiple people from the same business can be included as a single application. Limited spaces are available on each cohort and the ADEO will prioritise businesses who have recently participated in an industry delegation with TDA.

Click here to learn more about the Online Pitch Training Program and to register your interest.

ODIS provides a range of grants to support defence industry businesses. These grants help Australian small and medium enterprises grow to meet Defence capability needs and join global defence industry supply chains.

Click here to learn more about available grants

The ODIS Defence Business Readiness Tool (DBRT) is a platform used by our Industry Engagement Team to assess the Defence Readiness of Australian Small and Medium Enterprises. The DBRT is the first step in the journey to becoming a supplier to Defence.

To use this secure tool you must have an account. You can either sign in with an existing account or create a new one. You will need to provide your Australian Business Number (ABN) when registering your account.

Get Defence Ready with DBRT 2.0 and unlock the true potential of your SME within the Defence industry!