Latest News from ADA-Vic

We would like to thank our keynote speaker the MAJGEN Andrew Bottell, Head of Land Systems CASG for his update on Land Systems. Our thanks to other speakers, Bronwyn Halfpenny MP (Parliamentary Secretary for Jobs DJPR), Duncan Watt (Thales Australia), Tom Tizard (BAE Australia), Daniel Bax (Navantia), Frank Kelloway, Stephen Harvey, Mark Cowan-Aston, Rick Boarder (ODIS), Michael Bourchier (Amiga Engineering), Shane Scriven (SAS Asset Management), Paul Smooker (x-RD) and Jeremy Forbes (HALT).

Avalon 2023 Innovation Award Shortlist Announced

Twelve Australian innovators have been shortlisted for the AVALON 2023 Innovation Awards.

National and SME Award Shortlist

AVT Australia (VIC) – CM234 multi-imaging camera system
1 MILLIKELVIN Pty Limited (VIC) – stress imaging camera system
DMTC Limited (VIC) – Laser Additive Deposition (LAD) to repair corroded or damaged airframe and power train components
FLAIM Systems (VIC) – virtual training for firefighters
Innovaero Technology Pty Limited (WA) – OWL (One Way Loitering) loitering munition for the ADF
MicroTau (NSW) – micro-rib film to reduce aircraft fuel burn
Quasar Satellite Technologies Pty Limited (NSW) – multi-beam satellite ground station
Real Response (VIC) – BlueRoom Mixed Reality (MR) training system for aeromedical evacuation
SYPAQ (VIC) –
UPRT Australia (QLD) – Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) for pilots using psychological inputs

Young Innovator Award Shortlist

Mr Callum Rohweder (VIC) – for his work at BAE Systems Australia Pty Limited developing the core guidance, navigation and control algorithms at the heart of the Australian-developed Vehicle Management System (VMS) for the Boeing MQ-28A Ghost Bat, or Loyal Wingman.
Mr Michael Scott (VIC) - for his work on developing a Mixed-Reality Non-Destructive Evaluation (MR-NDE) framework to simplify and reduce the cost of inspecting aircraft and carrying out maintenance on them.

The winners will be announced and some of the 25 entries for the Innovation Awards will be showcased at Avalon 2023 - 28th February to 5th March.

Changes to Australian Workplace Laws

The Fair Work Act has been amended to change a number of existing rules and include a range of new laws, including new laws about job ads and pay secrecy clauses in employment contracts. Many of these changes started on 7 December 2022, but other changes start later.

Key changes

Pay secrecy, job ads and flexible work
Gender equality measures and small claims process
Enterprise agreements and enterprise bargaining
Abolition of the ABCC and the ROC

From Defence:      

Defence announced it will consider the findings of the March Defence Strategic Review before deciding on the tender for the LAND 400 Phase 3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle project. See more here.

Defence’s Chief Technology Officer has outlined a 10-year transformation of Defence’s information environment, adopting advanced technology which will support warfighters on the battlefield of the future. See more here.
TDA is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) to take part in the Australian industry delegation to SEA-AIR-SPACE 2023 held at Maryland, USA from 03 – 05 April 2023. Interested companies can apply to attend by completing the EOI form by 11:59pm AEDT Wednesday, 14 December 2022 here. See more here.
Attached is the TDA 2023 Calendar.

Other News:   

Victorian-based business The Smart Think Australia has received a $227, 686 grant via the Commonwealth Defence Global Competitiveness Grant Program for the expansion of hard armour production line with the introduction of industry 4.0 production and quality control measures to meet international market demand. See more here.

Innovative Australian companies and research centres taking part in Avalon 2023 are invited to pitch their innovative ideas and technologies to the Australian and international community at PitchFest via EOI. To submit an EOI and for information, see more here.
Real Response has unveiled their mixed reality training system, BlueRoom Simulator, designed to enable military personnel to train with medical equipment in complex scenarios. See more here.
Hanwha Defense Australia and Elbit Systems have agreed to support the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IVF) turret, built in Australia, on the global market. The turrets will be integrated with the hull of the IFV at H-ACE in the Avalon Airport precinct. See more here.
Applications open for the Girls in Aerospace and Defence: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program. Applications close: 11:59PM, Wednesday 7 December 2022. See more here.
RMIT student Hayley Nitschke, is one of three Australian student interns of the Airbus Space Internship program who will head to the UK as part of a bilateral space cooperation initiative. The students will work on a series of live international space missions being supported by Airbus’ UK divisions. See more here.

Australian Space Summit to return in May 2023, with speakers including senior leaders from Amazon, LeoLabs and KPMG, alongside Australia's first astronaut, Dr Paul Scully-Power. See more here
Ronson Gears, Electromold, Calm Aluminiun, and Rosebank Engineering are among four of the six Australian SMEs receiving contracts as part of the delivery of hardware and software sub-assemblies for the global Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) program. See more here.
Melbourne company, Cushman & Wakefield Australia has proved its commitment to veteran employment by making The Pledge with Soldier On as a Gold Pledge Partner. Soldier On is a not-for-profit veteran support organisation supporting veterans and their families. See more here.
ASC is setting up a digital supply chain as part of its current Digital Transformation Program, which aims to automate and streamline processes and drive efficiencies for ASC and the 1, 200 Australian businesses within its Collins Class submarine supply chain. See more here.
The first of Army’s Hanwha AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers (SPH) is due to roll off the production line in Korea in the third quarter of 2025 and the first vehicle off Hanwha Defense Australia’s line at Avalon Airport near Geelong will follow a matter of weeks later. See more here.
Defence Connect has launched its first Australian Cyber Security Awards. The awards will be held in June 2023 and are designed to recognise professionals and businesses that have gone above and beyond in the cyber security industry. See more here.
Attached is the ADM’s list of Defence tenders.

  
Defence Industry Support Tools    
The Office of Defence Industry Support has several tools to support defence SMEs. The Defence Business Readiness Tool, the Digital Readiness Assessment Tool, and the Cyber Security Assessment Tool.      
   
Upcoming Domestic Events:      

Reoccurring 2022 - Soldier On Coffee Catch Up Victoria. See more here.    
1 Feb – 2022 ADM Congress. See more here.

15 – 16 February 2023 - REAIM 2023 (Hague) See more here.
20 – 24 February 2023 - International Defence Exhibition and Conference. See more here.
27 – 28 February 2022 - Emerging Aviation Technologies Challenging the Status Quo in Australia. See more here.
28 February - 5 March 2023 – The AVALON Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition. See more here.   
17 May 2023 – Australian Space Summit. See more here.

1 June 2023 – Cyber Security Summit and Awards. See more here.

  
Links to Grant and other Programs:       

Victorian Government      
Applications Open Victorian Land Systems Fund – Supply Chain Uplift Program (SCUP)

Victorian Government’s Smart Enough Factory Digital Uplift Program       
Office of Defence Industry Support       
Home - Defence Science Institute  
Defence Global Competitiveness Grants Program     
Defence Innovation Hub

Defence Cooperative Research Centres Program       
Next Generation Technology Fund     
Small Business Innovation Research for Defence   
Export Finance Australia   
Entrepreneurs’ Program – Accelerating Commercialisation

Please Note: This update is produced every two weeks by the Defence and Aerospace, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. The date of this update was 5th December 2022.

In partnership with the Victorian State Government, Lockheed Martin Australia manages a secure facility designed to enable Victoria’s innovation community to better engage with classified Defence and National Security programs. The first facility of its type in Australia, the Victorian Common User Facility is a key initiative in creating new business opportunities for Victoria’s innovation sector.

For more information or to make CUF bookings, please email viccufbookings.gr-eo@lmco.com

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.