Defence Industry

Education, Research and Engagement

As Australia’s University of Enterprise, the University of South Australia aspires to be a leader in translating the knowledge generated by our research into real world outcomes.

UniSA is committed to solving complex problems. We collaborate closely with government, industry, business, the professions and other community groups to ensure our research and consultancy is conducted with an emphasis on applied knowledge.

UniSA supports the Department of Defence and Defence industry through our undergraduate and post-graduate study and research options, and engagement in translational research with a focus on end-users.

ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S LEADING UNIVERSITIES FOR ENGINEERING RESEARCH

UniSA’s Engineering research rated well above world-class – 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)

100% OF OUR ASSESSED RESEARCH RATED AT OR ABOVE WORLD-CLASS

2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA), 4-digit Fields of Research.

No.1 IN SA FOR GRADUATE CAREERS IN MATHS AND SCIENCE

ComparED (QILT): Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018-20 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). Public SA-founded universities only.

Education and teaching

Connect to defence capability for an unstoppable career

The university provides a range of Bachelor, Master and PhD programs that align to the defence sector’s needs in developing and transforming its future workforce. Students can work in the defence industry in STEM-focused jobs and other fields, like business or health.

Our undergraduate degrees prepare you for jobs, with real-world placements at defence companies such as BAE Systems, Saab and Lockheed Martin.
Our postgraduate degrees prepare you to transition into the defence industry in senior positions.
If you go on to become a PhD student, you can create new knowledge and become an expert in your field by exploring research questions that interest you.

UniSA has alliances with international defence companies, allowing students to study and engage in collaborative research, or enhance employability through overseas exchange experiences in countries such as France, Sweden, the UK and USA.

Study at UniSA for an unstoppable career with key Australian and international defence companies and Australia’s many small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).

In partnership with the defence sector we work to develop our graduates for employment in businesses that supply and support the Australian Defence Force.

Find your degree

*UNSTOPPABLE ® is a Kellogg Company trade mark

Education with real world outcomes

Our Master or PhD-level research students are connected to defence projects such as:

Nuclear-Powered submarines – The announcement of the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines signals a significant shift in policy and an increased commitment to generating a large and highly skilled Defence industry in South Australia. The submarines are intended to be built in South Australia, providing employment for thousands of South Australians for decades to come.
AUKUS security partnership – The trilateral agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the Unites States will enhance the sharing and development of capabilities across the Defence sector, with an initial focus on nuclear-powered submarines, cyber capabilities and artificial intelligence. This agreement will generate significant research and collaboration opportunities with industry, and numerous employment opportunities for UniSA graduates.
Arafura class Offshore Patrol vessels – Twelve vessels will be built in Australia in a Department of Defence build program that is expected to create more than 400 jobs, plus additional supply chain opportunities for South Australian businesses. The first two vessels to be constructed in Adelaide by Luerssen.
Hunter class Frigates – Lead by BAE Systems, nine new anti-submarine warfare frigates will be built at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia for the Royal Australian Navy in a project worth $35 billion The project will create and sustain more than 5,000 jobs across over the life of the program, and requires 1,000 apprentice and graduate roles. Skilled workers needed include engineers and project managers, specialists in steel work, mechanical, electrical and technical trades and many other professionals.
AIR 2025 Phase 6 Project: Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) Upgrade – The project will support the operational life of JORN for the next 20 years. Lead by BAE Systems out of its Adelaide office, the work will require more than 500 highly-skilled technicians and engineers, and will engage specialist Australian SMEs to ensure broader Australian industry participation.
P-8A Poseidon aircraft – The recent acquisition of the new fleet of P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft in Adelaide will require 30 years of sustainment and upgrade work. In alliance with Boeing Defence Australia and Airbus Australia Pacific, this project will increase opportunities for local industry.
Short Range Ground Based Air Defence (SRGBAD) system – Key elements of a ground-based surface-to-air missile system with beyond-visual-range capability for the Australian Army is being developed in conjunction with Raytheon Australia’s Centre for Joint Integration in Adelaide. Combined with systems integration of various programs, related work will span the next 10 years.

$200 Billion

The Australian Government has invested $200 billion to modernise the nation’s defence capability and workforce, in both traditional and multi-disciplinary roles.

Australian Government Department of Defence, Defence Industrial Capability Plan 2018

Research

Innovation and outcomes that support defence capability

The University of South Australia engages in defence research that is inspired by challenges and opportunities through partnerships with end users.

We conduct research in collaboration with large defence companies, along with hundreds of small-to-medium companies who are critical to the nation’s defence industry. We also work closely with the Defence Science Technology Group on major defence research projects and other Australian and overseas universities. Our research is underpinned by excellence and the passion of our researchers. We translate knowledge and generate it into real world outcomes.

UniSA is a globally connected university, with staff and students coming from more than 90 countries. We have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.

Our research engages with the defence industry contributing to Australia’s sovereign capabilities.

Explore more research at UniSA

Partnerships with industry

Our focus on supporting defence industry excellence and innovation is demonstrated by our collaborative relationships with the businesses involved in defence.