Latest News from ADA-Vic

Crucial defence capability is now in the hands of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), with the achievement of initial operating capability of the Australian Army’s UH-60M Black Hawks, marking one of the fastest initial phases of a capability acquisition in recent times.

15 months after the first aircraft commenced flying in 2023, the completion of essential testing, evaluation and training activities has occurred alongside the establishment of a robust fleet support and maintenance system.

The initial operational capability ensures the 12 Black Hawks are able to support counter-terrorism operations in Australia and remediate capability gaps associated with the withdrawal from service of the MRH90 Taipan fleet.

The accelerated delivery of the aircraft from the United States means a continued enhancement of the ADF’s battlefield aviation capability. As part of the initial Black Hawk delivery, the Australian Army has also received maintenance and aircrew training simulators, and critical communication and navigation systems.

A further seven aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2025, with all 40 aircraft scheduled for delivery by 2030.

Read full press release >

Building Australia's Future STEM Workforce

The Government is providing critical funding for educational pathways that can lead to a career in Australia’s defence industry.

Ten new grants through the Schools Pathways Program will go to organisations, enabling them to collaborate with schools and educational institutions to deliver innovative programs across the STEM domains.

A highly educated, well trained industrial workforce with cutting-edge skills, spanning a wide range of specialisations, is also critical to the successful delivery of the capabilities needed by the Australian Defence Force to keep Australians safe.

The announcement sees more than $11 million in grants awarded across the country, including:

$1.9 million to With You With ME to support the Defence Industry Pathways Program that will engage with millions of students, parents, teachers and community members across the country, including providing 3,300 students access to information sessions, skill-mapping and mentoring in relation to defence industry careers.
$1.7 million to Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth Ltd for the AVISTA program that will reach 200 schools, and engage students, teachers, and parents across Australia through hands-on STEM activities, virtual reality experiences, and defence career summits.
$397,493 to MEGT Australia to support school-based traineeships and apprenticeships in the naval shipbuilding and broader defence industry in Adelaide and Perth.
$1.6 million to Fleet Space Technologies Pty Ltd, based in South Australia, for the LaunchBox program that provides teacher-led classroom lessons and works with students to build and launch an educational satellite.
$536,243 to Technology for Education Solutions for its Beacon Pathways program which sees South Australian students solve real world problems using immersive virtual reality (VR), 3D modelling and coding.

Further details of all awarded grants can be found on the GrantConnect website (https://www.grants.gov.au/).

Read full press release >

AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code - Steel, 2 day Course Melbourne

30 Apr-1 May 2025

Weld Australia will be holding a 2 day AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code – Steel course in Melbourne on 30 April & 01 May, presented in person by international expert Cristian Zanfir.

This specialised course explores the requirements for AWS D1.1 compliance, covering key topics such as: certification for welding contractors, inspectors, and procedures; visual welding inspection techniques, and pre-qualification and qualification of welding procedures. Additionally, the course will also highlight changes that will come in the new D1.1:2025 edition later this year.

The presenter is Cristian Zanfir (Manager of Standards, Office of Public Safety, CWB Group) and his key role is contributing to the development of standards within many committees of the AWS, ASME, CSA and ISO organisations; and he has extensive specialised experience in the requirements of the D1.1 code.

Registrations are now open, click HERE to register.

What: AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code – Steel two day in-person course
Presenter: International expert, Cristian Zanfir
When: Wednesday to Thursday, 30 April -1May 2025
Where: Venue tba, Melbourne CBD
Timing: 8am registration day one, 8.30am-5pm; morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea is provided
Cost: Weld Australia Members $2450 inc GST; non-members $2650 inc GST

Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and professional network, ask questions and clarify learning in-person, and benefit from Cristian Zanfir’s expertise.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Danielle Pennington if you have any questions.

Power of Defence Science to Shape the Future - Accelerating Technologies

Research and innovation are key to keeping pace with a rapidly changing environment. Australian Defence science has developed ways to transform research into battlefield capabilities as quickly as possible.

This session will explore how defence science can extend our understanding of what is possible in the air and space domain.

The panel’s speakers will share their high-level insights on the way forward for research and innovation. Hear how they believe we should shape the future of defence innovation, science and technology.

Convenor: Defence Science and Technology Group, Department of Defence
Date: Tuesday 25 March
Registration: Open to all Avalon 2025 Trade Day attendees - pre-registration required.
Add this conference to your Avalon 2025 Trade Day registration.

More info >

2025 Strategic Policy Grants Program

Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 round and close 28-Feb-2025 12:00 pm.

This grant opportunity is part of the Strategic Policy Grants Program (SPGP), which supports strategic policy research relevant to the Department of Defence’s purpose, mission and priorities.

The SPGP is an annual, open and competitive grants opportunity administered by Defence. Defence has run the program since 2019.

The SPGP funds independent, unclassified, strategic policy-focused research and related activities; including conferences, dialogues, seminars, education modules, roundtables, and scenario exercises.

The objective of the program is to support the achievement of Defence’s 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; and
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; and
fostering new and emerging talent in Australia’s strategic and defence policy debate.

More info >

2025 Defence Capability Symposium

The Capability Symposium will provide a platform for Air Marshal Robert Chipman AO CSC, Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) and Air Vice Marshal Wendy Blyth, AM, Head Force Design (HFD) to communicate their shared strategic direction, expectations and priorities for the year ahead in Defence capability. The Symposium will also deliver in-depth analysis of evolving capability matters and insights on the systemic changes being implemented through the in-flight One Defence Capability System (ODCS) reform.

The event features a series of engaging capability case studies, presentations and moderated panel discussions with senior leaders, subject matter experts, and capability practitioners, and includes presentation of the VCDF Capability Awards.

Engage with presenters during the moderated panel discussions and take part in live chats and polling features to participate in conversations with your colleagues, strengthening your relationships and networks.

Date: Wednesday 05 March 2025

Time: 0830 (for 0900 start) – 1700 AEST

Location: Virtual (a link to the event live streaming platform will be provided via your registered email)

Round 2 Opened 15th January 2025

Round 2 of the Critical Technologies Challenge Program opened for applications 15 January 2025 and will close on 26 February 2025.

Grants from $100,000 to $500,000 for a Stage 1 Feasibility project are available. If your Stage 1 Feasibility project is successful, you may receive up to $5 million for a Stage 2 Demonstrator project.

The grants are for consortia that include at least one Australian industry-based partner and one Australian research organisation.

The program provides consortia with funding to develop quantum technology solutions or a component(s) that contributes to a solution for market-led challenges of national significance. Solutions may also involve the use of other advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics.

The challenges are:

Challenge 1: Improve biosecurity outcomes by enhancing the detection of invasive pests or diseases, and cargo inspection processes.
Challenge 2: Improve life expectancy, health outcomes and access to health technology for First Nations peoples.
Challenge 3: Optimise transport routes, logistics and supply chain operations.
Challenge 4: Optimise the performance, sustainability, and security of energy networks.

There will be two grant opportunities as part of this program.

Stage 1 – Feasibility grant opportunity

The purpose of the Stage 1 Feasibility grant is to test and demonstrate the technical viability of your proposed solution or component(s) of a solution.

Stage 2 – Demonstrator grant opportunity

The purpose of the Stage 2 Demonstrator grant is to support you to build on your Stage 1 Feasibility project and produce working prototypes or demonstrations.

Only applicants that complete a Stage 1 Feasibility project will be invited to submit an application for Stage 2 Demonstrator funding.

More info >

Are you a business undertaking work on behalf of Defence, or other entity planning to work with Defence in the future?

The Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) supports Australian entities to understand and meet their security obligations when engaging in Defence tenders, contracts and projects, as well as providing other information to help get businesses ‘Defence Ready’.

DISP membership applies to companies working directly for Defence, or as part of a larger supply chain.

Learn more about the program, or meet the DISP team in-person at the upcoming Avalon Air Show this March. DISP and the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) will have staff on hand at the event to answer any questions.

More info >

AUKUS Licence Free Environment

Under the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act 2024 (DTC Amendment Act), Australia has established a licence-free environment to promote strategic collaborations with our Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) partners.

The licence-free environment exempts certain Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) goods technology, services from permit requirements when transferring between Australia, the United States and/or the United Kingdom.

The JOSCAR-AU system was established following an initiative led by a growing number of prime contractors as registered buyers together with the Commonwealth Government.

JOSCAR-AU is a cross-sector collaborative solution that reduces the time, cost, resources and duplication currently needed to provide information to major prime customers. Holding common supplier information in a central system, the JOSCAR-AU accreditation system allows information to be accessed by all participating buying organisations.

JOSCAR-AU is designed to make the process of pre-qualification or accreditation as efficient as possible – saving your company a significant amount of the time, effort and cost associated with working for multiple clients.

Hellios enables more effective compliance with client requirements for business through a single process. Your initial registration will determine the level of pre-qualification or accreditation that your clients require, based on an automated risk profile.

Expert advice is provided throughout the process to guide you including identifying potential business improvement opportunities that may increase your competitive advantage.

Registration on JOSCAR-AU is either by invitation from your registered JOSCAR-AU buyer or via self nomination. If your buyer has asked you to complete the JOSCAR-AU questionnaire, they will contact Hellios directly on your behalf. Hellios will then process this request and send a link to the questionnaire for you to complete. If you would like to self nominate, please reach out at joscar@hellios.com.au.

BAESA/GAP Industry Training: Estimating For Defence

BAE Systems Australia and the Global Access Program are pleased to once again offer Estimating & Pricing Industry Training during 2024.

Delivering competitive and defendable proposals for Defence requires a variety of estimating techniques to build robust, credible and defendable Basis of Estimates. Learn how to challenge your cost base, supplier quotes, estimates and price, and submit a compliant proposal that meets customer requirements, represents value for money, and can survive a cost investigation.

Estimating For Defence is a two day course developed by Estimating & Pricing (E&P) at BAE Systems Australia, and delivered in partnership with the Global Access Program (GAP).

To register, please click on the BAE Systems supplier portal link now - http://BAESystemsSupplierPortal.icn.org.au

If you require any further information, please contact Megan Allan directly on megan.allan@baesystems.au.

Open to Industry partners Based in Australia, Canada, and the UK

The Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) aims to coalesce and expand the defense industrial base (DIB) in support of the Manufacturing, Capability Expansion, and Investment Prioritization Directorate (MCEIP) critical sectors and additional areas of interest. To align with the recent modification to the definition of Domestic Source for Title III of the Defense Production Act, and in keeping with the MCEIP vision of delivering a resilient U.S. supply chain and workforce able to respond in times of national security crisis, DIBC is excited to announce that we are opening membership to Industry partners in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This increased level of collaboration will aid the DIBC in achieving MCEIP’s mission and vision.

The application to become a DIBC member can be found here. International members will need to apply for a NCAGE Code and UEI prior to joining DIBC. To apply for a NCAGE code, each organization will need to register at https://sam.gov/. Instructions on how to register can be found here.

If you have questions about the application process, please feel free to reach out to dibconsortium@ati.org.

SME Connect Programs

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has announced a $20 million investment to provide small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with greater access to vital research and development (R&D) opportunities to accelerate their growth.

The funding will allow CSIRO’s SME Connect team to support up to 750 SMEs through a range of programs and initiatives that provide facilitation, training, dollar-matched funding and support to start-ups and SMEs seeking to engage in company-led research projects.

One of the programs being supported is SME Connects flagship program, CSIRO Kick-Start. Since its inception in 2017, the Kick-Start program has facilitated over 280 company-led R&D projects, with alumni companies collectively holding a market value exceeding $2 billion.

Dr Doug Hilton, CSIRO’s Chief Executive, emphasised the significance of this investment and the transformative impact it would have for Australia’s critical SME sector.

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 until funds have been exhausted.

Defence Industry Development Grants Program

The Defence Industry Development Grants Program (the program) will award grants over four years from 2024-25 to 2027-28. The program was announced as part of the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The objective of the program is to build the industrial base Australia needs to achieve Defence outcomes in areas of strategic priority.

The Defence Industry Development Grants Program funds four distinct grant opportunity streams tailored to address the program outcomes:

Sovereign Industrial Priorities
Skilling
Exports
Security.

These four grants opportunities will be assessed in batches. We will regularly update the closing dates for each batch on this page. You can apply at any time.

All projects are due to be completed by 31 Mar 2028.

About the streams

The Sovereign Industrial Priorities stream will assist eligible small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to purchase manufacturing plant and equipment which is used directly to develop and/or deliver programs that are in line with the Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities (SDIPs) described in the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The Skilling stream helps Australian defence industry to upskill and train in priority trade, technical and professional skillsets to develop a workforce with the right mix of qualified and experienced personnel to meet Defence requirements. The program will enhance the capacity and capability of Australian defence industry workforce to deliver SDIPs described in the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The Exports stream provides support for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to overcome export barriers and help defence industry build scale and competitiveness in defence capability priority areas as identified by the SDIPs described in the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The Security stream helps Australian defence industry improve and maintain security in priority areas as identified by the SDIPs and in line with the Defence Industry Security Program.

More info >

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.

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.

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!