Strategy | One Defence S&T capability
Leading, shaping and nurturing Australia’s national defence S&T enterprise and the coordination of S&T capability to support Defence’s needs.
Shaping a national defence S&T enterprise
Defence will lead and shape a national S&T enterprise, complementing DST’s own expertise with the best our domestic and international partners have to offer.
Defence will:
- Develop a One Defence capability plan that sets out priorities for S&T investment;
- Grow national capabilities in critical areas of S&T in partnership with external experts;
- Establish and be deeply engaged in innovation precincts that facilitate Defence’s access to world-class facilities and partners;
- Leverage state-based defence research networks to encourage multi-partner collaboration; and
- Support topic-based networks to share knowledge and promote opportunities.
Collaborations with universities will be security assessed and protected, providing assurance of an uncompromised ability to support Defence. Research partners will use the Defence Industry Security Program to apply the necessary levels of protection, and will be fully supported by Defence to make sure this process is as smooth as possible.
Assuring S&T capability
DST will lead the coordination and governance of S&T within Defence to ensure that a coherent, efficient and effective program of research provides high-impact for the ADF.
Role of the Chief Defence Scientist
DST, represented by the Chief Defence Scientist, is the principal S&T advisor to Defence. As principal advisor, the Chief Defence Scientist will lead the department’s planning, sourcing and assurance of S&T capability.
Success measures
- Defence has a coherent program of S&T that aligns with strategic priorities, works with the best partners and maximises impact.
- Benchmarking assessment indicates the ability and value of Defence’s collaborative S&T networks to deliver leap-ahead outcomes for the ADF.
- The department uses robust and consistent mechanisms to access external partners.
- Defence requirements for S&T are reflected in national plans for innovation, science and research, and influence national S&T investment decisions.
- Increased use of collaborative agreements.
- Better alignment of research to Defence priorities.
- Increased collaborative Defence-university-industry research, providing outcomes for Defence.
- National and international recognition of Australian expertise and excellence in S&T linked to Defence priorities.
Find out more
To read the latest on this pillar, click here.
Case study: Topic-based network
Human Performance Research network
