February 2023 newsletter

Applications for this year’s Defence Industry Study Course are now open. 
The primary aim of the Defence & Industry Study Course (DISC) is to promote a better understanding and engagement of both Defence and industry in order to improve Australia's Defence industry capability and thus national security.

The course delivers Australian Defence Force (ADF), Defence, other Federal and State agencies, and industry executives with an enhanced understanding of Defence business whilst also improving the collective knowledge of Australia's defence industry.

Defence recognises industry as a fundamental input to capability and as such industry will play a significant role in developing, delivering and sustaining the capabilities described in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and Force Structure Plan and through the upcoming Defence Strategic Review. DISC brings together and exposes participants to key aspects of the environment in which Defence and industry will need to navigate, collaborate and partner in order to successfully deliver and sustain capability for our armed forces.

DISC is an annual course delivered in four one week Modules over approximately seven months. Each DISC is comprised of a balanced mix of ADF officers from all three services together with Australian Public Service employees from various Defence groups, and industry participants who are selected to represent the different sectors, states/territories and scale of company (SMEs/Primes).

The course provides a professional environment for forging lasting networks with cohort members together with extensive networking opportunities with key decision makers from within Defence, Government and industry. Participants will also work in syndicates to undertake a research activity and develop deliverables centred on current issues.

Northern Territory industry representatives are encouraged to consider this wonderful opportunity. For more information on the course, cost and commitment, visit the CASG website.

The Defence Industry Secondment Program is currently seeking industry partners to host a Defence staff member for a short 2-8 week secondment. The program aims to develop Defence's understanding and knowledge of your business operations and strengthen your connection with Defence to develop a resilient and competitive Defence industrial base.

If you are interested in understanding more about the program please contact Defence on industry.secondments@defence.gov.au 

Round one placements commence in March 2023.

Lockheed Martin is hosting an Industry Day where they plan to share their vision and role as a Guided Weapons Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) strategic partner to the Commonwealth and how others can partner with them to realise that vision.
The LMA Industry Day will be an opportunity for Australian defence suppliers that have an interest in partnering with LMA to deliver capability to the GWEO enterprise. 
If you are a world-class capability in one or more of the following areas please join them on the day.

• Castings
• Proximity Sensor
• Composites (Cases & Tubes)
• Printed Wire Boards/Circuit Cards Assy (PWB/CCA)
• Control Actuation Systems
• Rubber Isolation Mounts (Shock Absorption)
• Electronic Boxes (Power/Control/Distribution)
• Sheet Metal
• Electronic Safe Arm Fuse/Device
• Solid Rocket Motor (SRM/Propulsion)
• Initial Measuring Unit (IMU/Guidance)
• Thermal Batteries
• Harnesses/Cables
• Warheads (Energetics/Explosive)
• Machining (Low/Med/High Complexity)
• Welding
•  

When: Friday 24 February 09:00 – 11:00
In person: The Briefing has very limited capacity for those able to join in-person in Melbourne. If you are able to join in person please secure your place by registering your details by clinking the following link: https://events.global.vic.gov.au/va4oQL 
Virtual: Please connect here via Zoom.

Charles Darwin University (CDU)’s North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems, in partnership with RMIT University, the Australian Government’s Department of Education, and the Northern Territory Government, has developed the Diploma of Advanced Manufacturing to assist NT manufacturers in transitioning to Industry 4.0.

Industry 4.0 is the full integration of cyber and physical production systems and has been heralded as the fourth industrial revolution, with the benefit of reducing costs and wastage while improving the competitiveness of businesses.

In the course, students will learn how to manage Industry 4.0 projects, set up the Internet of Things (IoT) on production lines, test cyber security technologies, and integrate 3D printing and robotics into manufacturing.

They will also study computer-aided design and manufacturing, Industry 4.0 fundamentals, and project management – positioning them as graduates at the forefront of emerging technologies.

Director of the North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems (NACAS) at CDU, Professor Hamish Campbell, said Industry 4.0 technologies are particularly effective in enabling manufacturers to overcome labour shortages and the challenge of distance.

“This Diploma has been created in partnership with RMIT and the Federal and Northern Territory governments to upskill the NT workforce and overcome these inherent problems for industry and business in North Australia,” Professor Campbell said.

“It’s an exciting course and we have 20 free places for employer sponsored apprentices commencing in March 2023”.  As an apprenticeship program, the course provides practical experience to upskill the Northern Territory workforce, generating strong capabilities to operate cyber and physical production systems.

The course also offers students the option to learn how Industry 4.0 manufacturing is being applied to the construction of uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones), giving the opportunity to work alongside researchers and small-to-medium enterprises to construct and test drones.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation Professor Steve Rogers said the Centre’s collaboration with CDU will prepare graduates with the industry knowledge and skills to pursue a rewarding career within Australia’s rapidly growing advanced manufacturing sectors.
“Emerging autonomous technologies are a key investment in northern Australia, and our partnership with the centre will guide CDU to become a leader in autonomous technology research and training,” Professor Rogers said.

“CDU graduates have great potential to contribute to these emerging technologies and apply their knowledge to programs that will enhance Territory-based projects happening now and in the future.”

With this diploma, students may qualify for entry-level engineering roles or continue studies in Bachelor courses in Engineering, and Digital Technologies at CDU.

Professor Pier Marzocca, Director, Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and Aerospace Centre at RMIT and co-director of the Joint CDU/RMIT Testlab said that the collaborative approach to co-designing this course has resulted in a tailored program to support the growing industry 4.0 workforce.

“These research and training programs offer great opportunities to the thriving aerospace and defence industry sector. Both RMIT and CDU are also committed to building a strong graduate program in these sectors through the CSIRO/Data 61 Next Generation Graduate Program which was recently awarded,” Professor Marzocca said.

Distinguished Professor Brian Falzon, Chair of Composite Materials and Aerospace Structures, and Director of the Space Industry Hub at RMIT, said that the Centre will house unique advanced composite manufacturing facilities and will eventually provide training for the design, manufacture and maintenance of composite UAV (uncrewed aerial vehicles) aerostructures.

“For example, over 50% of the MQ-4C Triton airframe is made from carbon fibre and aramid composites, including the wings, fuselage and tail sections. With the fleet to be based at RAAF Base Tindal, the RMIT/CDU TestLab, is well placed to develop the technologies to repair and maintain these assets,” Distinguished Professor Falzon said.

The course commences in early March 2023 and places are currently open. To apply, students require a CERT III or CERT IV in relevant subjects or have manufacturing experience.

Those with endorsement and study release from their employers can enrol for free.

For more information, visit Diploma of Advanced Manufacturing or email Testlab@cdu.edu.au

Changes are underway for Defence Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). ERP is key to the Defence Transformation Strategy. Over the next few years, ERP will introduce the latest System Analysis Program (SAP) solution. The new system will put in place fit for purpose IT systems that will encourage better ways of working.

Contact your contract manager or go to the Defence ERP website to learn how these changes may affect your business. Enterprise Resource Planning Program | Business & Industry | Defence

In response to the Interim Report by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide the Federal Government has commenced public consultation on new legislation that aims to simplify the veteran rehabilitation and compensation process.

In August 2022 the Interim Report confirmed that current veteran’s legislation was complex and difficult to navigate. Recommendation 1 of the report stated that "the Australian Government should develop and implement legislation to simplify and harmonise the framework for veterans’ compensation, rehabilitation and other entitlements.”

The proposed legislative reform released today will replace more than a century of veterans’ entitlement legislation, providing veterans the support they deserve, regardless of the era they served.

The Pathway for consultation anticipates:

• new claims under existing schemes will cease after a transition period, from which point all new veteran claims will be dealt with under an improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (MRCA) as the sole ongoing Act. The MRCA currently services the majority of claims.
• all benefits under existing schemes will continue unaffected, with only new claims or claims relating to deteriorated conditions to instead be covered by the single ongoing Act.

More information on the proposed pathway for legislative change and to provide feedback visit the DVA website.
The consultation period that is has opened today will guide the Federal Government around legislative changes. Public feedback on the proposed legislation reformed is able to be provided here.

As part of the Australian Defence Export Office, the Team Defence Australia (TDA) program is the national platform for Australian defence industry to showcase their goods, services, technologies and solutions at international and online trade events
Expressions of Interest are now open for businesses interested in participating in the Australian industry delegation to the below mentioned trade shows. 
Interested companies can apply to attend by completing the EOI form by 11:59pm AEDT Tuesday, 07 February 2023, through ICN webpage here.

IMDEX Asia | Asia Pacific's leading naval and maritime defence event held in Changi, Singapore (03-05 May 2023)
As one of Asia's leading naval and maritime defence events, IMDEX Asia has mustered the world's naval elite and the finest fleets of maritime innovations. With established conferences and real-time discussions on maritime security, IMDEX Asia continues to draw a plethora of global leaders and distinguished guests for each edition. It is expected that 11,000 industry members will attend, with exhibitors from 30 countries.

LIMA 2023 | Langkawi, Malaysia (23-27 May 2023)
The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition will be held between 23-27 May 2023. LIMA is one of the largest events dedicated to the maritime and aerospace defence sectors in the Asia Pacific.
For five days every two years, LIMA transforms into an exciting hub for the most innovative technology in industry, attracting market-leading companies from all sectors and providing an unparalleled opportunity to meet and forge new relationships with key decision makers face-to-face.

SOF Week 2023 | Welcome in Tampa, USA (08-11 May 2023)
U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has partnered with industry to host an annual Conference in Tampa, FL for more than a decade - the conference has traditionally been known as Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, or SOFIC. From 2023, the event is co-sponsored by Global Special Operations forces and organised by Clarion Defense.

This year the Territory Government is investing $92 million towards training and skilling programs. The Skilling the Territory Investment plan 2022-23 outlines government’s commitment to building a skilled workforce through investment in a range of training programs and initiatives.

Key features of the Skilling the Territory investment plan include:

• $28.2 million to support apprenticeships and traineeships, including the User Choice Program which provides support to Registered Training Organisations to train and assess apprentices and trainees.
• $12.7 million to deliver targeted and responsive programs, including the Industry Buildskills program which supports Territory employers to upskill or reskill existing workers in occupations and industry sectors effected by change.
• $2.5 million to fill critical skill shortages across the Territory which includes the Flexible Workforce Solutions Fund and Global Worker Attraction program.
• $3.2 million to strengthen industry engagement and advice.
• $55.5 million for public providers including Charles Darwin University and Batchelor Institute.

Five Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) have received almost $800,000 in funding to deliver training, to increase employment opportunities for young Territorians in disadvantaged groups in the community.

Read the plan online. For further information about Equity Training grants and Pre-employment training programs click here.

ICN Gateway is an essential tool for businesses interested in participating in Defence projects. Current opportunities in the NT include:

• EST00346 Tindal Redevelopment / EST00347 KC-30A Facilities/
• USFPI Northern Territory Training Areas & Ranges Project 
• Australian Defence Export Office (Team Defence Australia tradeshows)
• US Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.
• Ventia Defence Base Services NT
• Accelerated Regional Accommodation Project (icn.org.au)

CFI Planned Approaches to Market

In October 2022, Defence Capital Facilities And Infrastructure Branch released information on planned upcoming contractor approaches to market that may be released from the Department of Defence’s Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch (CFI) over the next 12 months. CFI is responsible for planning, developing and, subject to approval, delivering capital facilities and infrastructure projects (projects) across the Defence estate.

A list of the upcoming contractor ATM’s can be found on AusTender.

Estate Works Program - Forward Program of Tender Releases

The Forward Program of Tender Releases is housed on DEQMS, you will find it at the bottom of the web page!