STEM Cadetship

Bring your unique skills and experiences to a world of opportunity at Defence. No matter your specialisation, your contribution leaves an imprint at Defence that is uniquely yours. 

The Defence STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) Cadetship offers you a head start in your career. Play a part in keeping Australia safe and secure while you complete your tertiary studies.

The Cadetship Program is an entry-level employment pathway for high-performing undergraduate students currently studying a relevant STEM degree.

You will get real-world, practical and high-quality work experience in an area relevant to your studies.

Defence will also give you some financial support for your studies, during your cadetship. This includes reimbursing the cost of your university course fees. They will also reimburse the cost books and provide you with a bursary fee. 

There are many opportunities your university studies can lead to a rewarding, challenging and meaningful career in Defence. In the STEM Cadetship you will get:

• hands-on work experience
• a head start on a career in STEM
• opportunities to apply your academic knowledge and research skills
• access to cutting-edge technology
• mentoring and guidance from the country’s leading experts
• exposure to Defence capability like no other
• comprehensive learning and career development opportunities
• a stimulating and dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and creativity
• to contribute to Defence’s research and military capability programs.

What you’ll do

As a STEM Cadet, you will:

• work with Australian Defence Force and Defence civilian employees to provide scientific advice and/or develop technologies relevant to your university studies,
• provide scientific and technical support to current Defence operations and military capability platforms,
• explore future technologies for Defence and national security applications,
• ensure Australia is a smart buyer and user of Defence equipment,
• develop new Defence and national security capabilities. This may include:
  • intelligence
  • reconnaissance
  • surveillance
  • communication
  • weapon platform
  • cyber security
  • ballistic
  • aircraft
  • guidance
  • war fighter, and
  • mechatronic technologies.
• enhance existing capabilities by increasing performance and safety, and reducing the cost of ownership of Defence assets,
• support collaborative relationships with government agencies to strengthen national security, and
• assist and engage with industry to better support Defence capability needs.

Find out more about the wide range of work in the STEM Cadetship disciplines on our website. 

Who we’re looking for

The STEM Cadetship Program is open to Australian undergraduate university students who:

1. have an Australian citizenship
2. are studying full-time at an Australian university, and
3. are currently enrolled in a relevant STEM degree, which may include Honours/Masters

NB: To be considered for a STEM Cadetship with Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), you must be eligible for and agree to complete a STEM Honours/Masters degree as part of the program.

1. Will successfully complete at least 12 months’ full-time tertiary study of a relevant STEM degree before starting the Cadetship.
2. Will complete their tertiary studies (including Honours/Masters) between the end of Semester 2, 2024 and the end of Semester 2, 2026
3. Have a minimum credit average (GPA ≥ 5 on a 7-point scale), and
4. Have at least 12 months' full-time tertiary study remaining at the time you start the Cadetship Program.

What you can look forward to

Competitive salary and benefits

As a STEM Cadet, you will receive:

• Ongoing (part-time) APS employment with the Department of Defence.
• At least 60 paid work placement days per cadetship year. A cadetship year is the 12-month period after you start the Cadetship Program.
• A minimum annual salary of $54,232 pro rata plus 15.4% superannuation. Based on the completion of 60 work placement days, this equates to a minimum salary of $12,475 per annum (increasing to $56,401 pro rata and $12,974 per annum based on 60 work placement days upon the Fair Work Commission approval of the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement – 2024).
• Reimbursement for your university fees (i.e. course fees) for your STEM degree. To be eligible, you must have successfully completed the relevant units each semester.
• Reimbursement for the cost of your required books/resources up to a maximum of $1,000 (GST inclusive) per cadetship year.
• A $3,000 bursary payment per cadetship year.
• The option to progress to a full-time ongoing APS Level 4 (or Science and Technology Level 3-4), or a place in the Defence Graduate Program once you successfully complete your STEM degree the cadetship.

Flexible work arrangements

Your agreed work days are flexible and negotiated between you and the work area. This is based on your individual and the work area’s requirements. The pattern of hours can also be adjusted to suit your university study. As a cadet, you'll be paid based on the hours worked only.

A head start in your career

Don't wait until the final year of your degree to start looking for a job. 

Once you successfully complete the STEM Cadetship Program, you'll have the option to transition into the Defence Graduate Program as an APS 4.

The Defence Graduate Program is a 12-18 month learning and development program made up of 4 pathways:

1. Policy and Corporate Pathway
2. Technical Pathway
3. Research and Innovation Pathway
4. Intelligence Pathway

It provides graduates with a unique opportunity to undertake varied, meaningful work. STEM Cadets will not need to engage in a separate application and assessment process to move into the Graduate Program.

Immersive learning opportunities

You'll be supervised and trained by Australia’s brightest and most innovative specialists. This network of experts at the forefront of international Defence capability and research. You'll also get access to cutting-edge technology and capability, unlike any other organisation.

Defence is the winner of the 2023 Graduate Employer award for Government & Public Safety by Prosple.

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.