Want an exciting and rewarding long-term career in the defence industry?
Delivered in partnership with industry, the Women in Defence Industry Scholarship provides six months of free technical engineering and electronics training, or cyber security and electronics training to prepare you for employment in WA’s booming defence industry.
There are fully-funded scholarship places available for women of all ages and backgrounds who have just finished school, are returning to work, or are seeking a career change.
Participants get to experience the defence industry with industry tours and up to four weeks of work placement. If you have an interest in technical engineering, maths and learning how drawings can be transformed into machines/ships then this is for you!
Applications open 1 February 2025.
Women in Defence Industry Scholarship [flyer] (1 MB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab)
Course details
The scholarship program allows students to study two qualifications at the same time over six months in one of two streams: Technical Engineering and Electronics, or Cyber Security and Electronics.
Technical Engineering and Electronics
- UEE21920 Certificate II in Electronics: Introduction to the world of electronics to gain knowledgeable and practical workshop skills.
- MEM30522 Certificate III Engineering- Technical: Learn general engineering concepts and how drawings are transformed into buildings and manufactured items. Maths is a big component of this course.
Cyber Security and Electronics
- UEE21920 Certificate II in Electronics: Introduction to the world of electronics to gain knowledgeable and practical workshop skills.
- ICT30120 Certificate III in Information Technology (Cyber Security): Introduction to information technology and cyber security.
Duration
Cyber Security and Electronics
Duration: 6 months
Timetable: 4 days per week from 28 April to 24 September 2025
Work placement: 5 days per week from 13 October to 7 November 2025
Location: South Metropolitan TAFE, Rockingham campus, Simpson Avenue, Rockingham WA 6168
Technical Engineering and Electronics
Duration: 6 months
Timetable: 3 days per week from 28 April to 24 September 2025
Work placement: 5 days per week from 13 October to 7 November 2025
Location: South Metropolitan TAFE, Munster campus, 9 Gardiner Ave, Munster WA 6166
Aims
- Foster an understanding of the technical career opportunities in the defence industry
- Teach foundation mechanical engineering design, operations and maintenance
- Provide technical skills and an understanding of technology and automation in the defence industry
- Assist students with a pathway to employment or higher-level qualifications
- Provide a pathway to a career in engineering drafting or as an engineering associate.
Entry requirements
Applicants must be female (or identify as female), Australian residents, and competent in communication and mathematics. The scholarship has been designed to meet the needs of women who:
- are returning to work, OR
- are seeking a career change, OR
- have recently completed high school, OR
- need an alternative pathway to university.
Key dates
- Application Window: 1 February to 13 April 2025
- Information Session: 26 March 2025 at 11am (Munster campus foyer)
- Interviews: Between 15 and 18 April 2025
- Study: 28 April to 25 June 2025
- Holidays: 7 July to 18 July 2025
- Study: 21 July to 24 September 2025
- Graduation Lunch: 24 September 2025
- Term break: 29 September to 3 October 2025
- Work Placement: 13 October to 7 November 2025
Career Pathways
ICT30120 Certificate III in Information Technology (Cyber Security)
- Job options: IT technician, ICT operations support, IT System Administrator
UEE21920 Certificate II in Electronics (Defence Specialisation)
- Job options: Electrical Assistant, Electronics Technician, Technical Officer.
MEM30522 Certificate III Engineering- Technical
- Job options: Engineering Associate, Mechanical Engineering Technician, Systems Engineer.
Apply now
To apply, download the form below and complete all questions.
Women In Defence Industry Scholarship form (2 MB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab)
Once complete, email the form, and your resumé/CV, to WID@smtafe.wa.edu.au
Alternatively, you can email your responses(opens in a new tab) with your resumé/CV.
Note: By applying, you give permission for SM TAFE to share your resumé/CV with SM TAFE staff for potential study opportunities.
More information
Contact the Jobs and Skills WA dedicated defence team for more information on defence courses and careers. Direct your enquiries regarding the scholarship to Caitlyn Brandy.
T: 08 9599 8655
E: defence.careers@smtafe.wa.edu.au
Office location: Building G, Rockingham campus, Simpson Avenue, Rockingham WA