Department of Defence

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

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.

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

• 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 across Defence to provide scientific advice and/or develop technologies relevant to 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
  • 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.  

Who we’re looking for

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

• have Australian citizenship
• are studying full-time at an Australian university, and are currently enrolled in a relevant STEM degree, which may include Honours/Masters
• will have successfully completed at least 12 months’ full-time tertiary study of a relevant STEM degree before starting the Cadetship.
• will complete their tertiary studies (including Honours/Masters) between the end of Semester 2, 2026 and the end of Semester 2, 2028, and
• have 12 months full-time tertiary study (equivalent to 8 units per year) remaining at the time of the cadetship program commencement.

Please note: 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.

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, and
• a minimum annual salary of $39,251.52 plus 15.4% superannuation, increasing to $41,397.84 per annum from 12 March 2026 in accordance with the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement – 2024.

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.  

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.

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.