Industry Experience Placement Program

The Industry Experience Placement Program will not be available for 2025. Please consider the DSTG Summer Vacation Placement Program if your Industry Requirement will be satisfied by a 450 Hour placement. We anticipate being able to offer long term placements again after a restructuring of this program.

The Industry Experience Placement (IEP) program provides university students enrolled in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) degree the opportunity to complete their Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programs with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).

These paid placements can be for periods from 6 to 12 months where students will get hands on experience with real Defence research projects, work to solve problems and support Australia's national security.

During their placement IEP students gain industry experience working within one of Australia's largest research agencies, under the supervision and mentorship of Australia's top applied researchers. Additional support is provided by DSTG staff to ensure that the academic requirements of their course are met.

DSTG and the IEP program are committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This includes targets for boosting women's participation in this program, and those from other underrepresented groups.

Benefits

In addition to gaining industry experience, IEP students enjoy the benefits of being engaged as non-ongoing employees of the Department of Defence under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement, which includes:

• A S&T (1-2) salary of $59,117 +15.4% superannuation (fixed cap, pro rata)
• Leave entitlements
• Access to flexible working arrangements within project allowances

Eligibility Criteria

DSTG welcomes applications from students who:

• Are completing a relevant bachelor or masters university degree where the IEP will contribute to the required work placement component of their course.  
  This includes:
  • Compulsory units
  • Optional units
  • Work placements requirements
  • Internships
• Are enrolled full-time in their tertiary course of study, and will remain enrolled for the period of their placement.
• Obtain and maintain a minimum Baseline Security clearance.
  • More details about this process can be found at the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency. This will be arranged after offers have been made.
  • This also means that applications are only open to current Australian Citizens.
• A letter of endorsement from your course coordinator outlining the work placement requirements for your course, in addition to a copy of your transcript.

Successful applicants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and associated costs to take part in the program.

The IEP program is targeted at placement requirements over 500 hours. If you have a requirement below 500 hours the Summer Vacation Placement program is recommended.

If you are unsure or would like more information please use the expression of interest form below.