There are a range of career opportunities in Western Australia’s defence industry for active or inactive reserve service, or ex-serving members of Australia’s Defence Force (ADF). 

Working in Western Australia’s defence industry allows veterans to continue to support and serve the ADF. ADF veteran skills and experience are valuable and transferable to the industry. 

Find out more about the Defence Industry Veterans Employment Scheme scholarship program, uniquely designed to support ADF veterans transitioning into the defence industry. 

$5,000 Defence Industry Veterans Employment Scheme scholarship

The Defence Industry Veterans Employment Scheme (DIVES) scholarship program is part of the Western Australian Government's investment to boost defence industry capabilities and ensure a pipeline of skilled professional, paraprofessional and specialist trades workers. 

DIVES provides scholarships of up to $5,000 to cover the cost of training for eligible veterans – ex-serving ADF members, ADF members in active or inactive reserve forces, or current ADF serving members about to transition/separate within three to six months for defence industry occupations with current demand. These occupations are across ten key areas.

  • Industry 4.0 engineering
  • Systems engineering
  • Software engineering
  • Network engineering
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Sheetmetal trades
  • Cyber
  • Project management
  • Integrated logistics support
  • Sales and commercial

Please note all DIVES scholarships have been awarded for the 2023–24 financial year. 

For more information please contact the defence industry careers team located at the Rockingham Jobs and Skills Centre on 08 9599 8655; or email defence.careers@smtafe.wa.edu.au.

Download the DIVES scholarship flyer 

Download the DIVES occupation list

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Edmond Chan, Manager of Talent Acquisition at L3 Harris

As an army reservist since 2009, Edmond Chan’s service in the ADF and his civilian career have always co-existed. 

“When an opportunity came with an organisation that puts tools, processes and systems in the hands that defend our nation, to work in an industry where I wholeheartedly believe in what they do and a direct connection to my values – it seemed like a no brainer,” said Edmond.

The Western Australian Government is endeavouring to help ease this transition for veterans, partnering with the Western Australian defence industry to design the Defence Industry Veterans Employment Scheme (DIVES) scholarship program. 

“It’s a great program, you have people coming out of the defence force for different reasons, the DIVES program represents an opportunity for those people to continue to serve, one way or another, and maintain that connection to what they’ve always known,” said Edmond.

This profile was correct at the time of publishing.