Latest News from ADA-Vic

Welcome to another big week in Defence.

The 2024 Capability Symposium took place on Wednesday with a packed line up of speakers. Amongst the many presentations, Chris Deeble from CASG has promised many reforms to procurement and to the culture of CASG, both of which should help SMEs better engage with Defence.

The Australian Defence Alliance (ADA) is keen to obtain your views on what changes to procurement would lead to a better outcome for you and your businesses. Please contact us with your suggestions.

The other big news during the week is that the US is likely to reduce the production of the Virginia Class submarines over the next few years. This has the potential to affect our ability to purchase three of these boats as per the AUKUS agreement, however, the Australian Federal Government is reassuring us that this will not be the case. Only time will tell!

As the world becomes more geopolitically unstable, the work we do in Defence Industry becomes more important. Keep up your good work!

Defence and National Security Awards 2024 – Nominations Close
22nd March

The Defence & National Security Workforce Awards provides businesses in the defence and national security sector an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of their rising stars, shine a spotlight on their innovative workforce programs, and showcase why they are the industry’s employer of choice.

The awards program recognises up-and-comers and initiatives from across the industry – from the best technical, operations, and communications specialists under 35 – through to the nation’s leading Reserve support and training development programs.

The awards are open to all businesses operating in Australia’s defence and national security supply chain, so don’t miss your chance to win this coveted award and reap the benefits of a prestigious accolade.

More Info >

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.

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!