Latest News from ADA-Vic

New Chief of Defence and Vice Chief of Defence Announced

The Government recommended to His Excellency, the Governor-General, a number of senior command changes within the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Subject to the Governor-General’s consideration and approval, the changes will take effect in July 2024.

The Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Vice Admiral David Johnston, AC, RAN will be appointed as the new Chief of the Defence Force. Vice Admiral Johnston joined the ADF in 1978 and has demonstrated outstanding leadership as the Vice Chief of the Defence Force since 2018. His experience in command and the strategic design of the integrated force will be critical to embedding the outcomes of the Defence Strategic Review.

Air Marshal Robert Chipman, AO, CSC, will be appointed as the new Vice Chief of the Defence Force. Appointed as the Chief of Air Force in July 2022, Air Marshal Chipman has provided excellent and considered leadership of the Royal Australian Air Force over the past two years.

Air Vice‑Marshal Stephen Chappell, DSC, CSC, OAM, will be appointed on promotion as the Chief of Air Force. Air Vice‑Marshal Chappell is currently the Head of Military Strategic Commitments and is well placed to lead Air Force and its people at this critical time.

Following confirmation of the Federal Executive Council of the preceding statutory appointments by the Governor General, other senior ADF appointments will also change in early July 2024. The Chief of the Defence Force, in consultation with the Secretary of Defence, Mr Greg Moriarty, AO, and ADF chiefs has recommended to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the following senior appointments:

Rear Admiral Justin Jones, CSC, will replace Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, AO, CSC, as the Chief of Joint Operations. Rear Admiral Jones is currently the Deputy Chief of Joint Operations.

Major General Susan Coyle, AM, CSC, DSM, will replace Lieutenant General John Frewen, AO, DSC, as the Chief of Joint Capabilities. Major General Coyle is currently the Commander of Army’s Forces Command.

Lieutenant General Gavan Reynolds, AO will complete his term as the inaugural Chief of Defence Intelligence. The Chief of Defence Intelligence position will rotate to a civilian appointment with the replacement to be identified in due course.

Defence + Industry (D+I) Conference - Save the Date

The D&I team are happy to announce that Canberra’s premiere Defence + Industry engagement event, the D+I Conference will return to the National Convention Centre in Canberra on Thursday, 1 August 2024.

D+I 2024 will deliver thought provoking presentations with a mix of senior Defence and industry presenters keeping delegates in control through live questioning during our Q&A panel sessions.

Kicking off with a welcome reception on the evening prior to the conference, D+I provides delegates with ample networking opportunities to engage and develop invaluable relationships across the Defence and industry landscape.

The key timings for D+I 2024 are as follows:

• Wednesday, 31 July 2024

o 1600 – 1800 – Pre registration and event badge collection

o 1800 – 2000 - Welcome reception and industry networking event

• Thursday, 1 August 2024

o 0830 – 1700 - D+I Conference

Location

• Both events will be held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.

Please ensure you save 31 July and 1 August 2024 in your diaries and keep an eye out for the next update which will include details on how to access the D+I 2024 registration portal to secure your seat.

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 >

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 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!