The Defence Industry Scholarship Program commenced in 2019, with the last intake of students completing the program in June 2024.
The program provided eligible South Australian university students with grants of up to $10,000 to undertake work placements with a local defence company.
The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) administered the South Australian Government-funded program, which supported 91 students to complete their placements across 26 host companies, including 19 SMEs and seven defence primes.
Building on the success of the Defence Industry Scholarship Program, the South Australian Government is working to establish a new Defence Industry Connection Program, which will commence later this year.
This new program, a $3.9 million investment, will support eligible students in defence industry-aligned courses and help them transition from study to employment.
The Defence Industry Connection Program is one of 22 initiatives being developed as part of the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report released in November 2023. The Report is a joint commitment between the Australian and South Australian Governments, detailing targeted initiatives that directly support attracting, skilling and developing the defence industry workforce in South Australia.
