2024 Defence STEM Cadetship

A civilian STEM career in Defence offers students exposure to technical and scientific expertise, diverse learning opportunities and unique development experiences. 

STEM cadets work on a range of projects and specialised systems across the full spectrum of science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. From protecting Australian information systems and providing support to our military operations, thorugh to research and application of complex models to enhance the Australian Defence Force’s decision making - STEM cadets have the opportunity to immerse themselves in practical work that will provide them with the skills and knowledge required to undertake exciting, challenging and meaningful work whilst completing their studies. Every contribution STEM cadets make in the Defence STEM Cadetship Program leaves an imprint that is uniquely theirs. 

• Application open: 27 February 2023
• Application close: 12 April 2023

A STEM cadet receives:

• ongoing (part-time) APS employment with the Department of Defence
• a minimum of 60 paid work placement days per Cadetship Year. A Cadetship year is defined as the 12 month period following commencement on the Cadetship Program
• an annual salary of $52,652 pro rata plus 15.4% superannuation. Based on the completion of 60 work placement days, this equates to a minimum salary of $12,150 per annum
• reimbursement of compulsory university fees (i.e. course fees) for their STEM degree, upon successful completion of the relevant STEM units each semester
• reimbursement for the cost of books/resources required for their STEM degree up to a maximum of $1,000 (GST Inclusive) per year
• $3,000 bursary payment per year

Mentorship by senior scientists, engineers, IT professionals or mathematicians. Upon successful completion of the program, cadets may progress to a full-time ongoing Australian Public Service (APS) Level 4 or Science & Technology (S&T) Level 3 position within the STEM cadets' work placement Group/Service or transition into the Defence Graduate Program.

Locations

The STEM Cadetship offers positions in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth (Rockingham) and Sydney. Defence will provide relocation assistance for the duration of work placements if required, in accordance with Defence policy. 

Eligibility:

The STEM Cadetship Program is open to Australian undergraduate university students. You must be an Australian Citizen, and at the time of your application, completed a minimum of 12 months full-time tertiary study of a relevant STEM degree. You must also:

• Have a credit average (GPA ≥ 5 on a seven point scale)
• Complete your tertiary studies (which may include Honours / Masters) between the end of Semester Two 2024 and the end of Semester Two 2026.
• Applicants who preference Defence Science and Technology group will need to be enrolled in a relevant STEM undergraduate degree, with Honours or Masters, or are eligible and agree to undertake an Honours / Masters degree as part of the STEM Cadetship if required.
• Have 12 months full-time tertiary study (equivalent to 8 units per year) remaining at the time of the Cadetship Program commencement.