Defence Industry Internship Program (DIIP) Graduate Programs & Internships

Overview

 The Defence Industry Internship Program (DIIP) is an initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Defence.

 Students are offered an opportunity to undertake a paid 12-week internship with small to medium-sized Defence Industry enterprises (SMEs) located throughout all Australian states and territories.

Engineering internships are offered in a range of disciplines including:

• aerospace/aeronautical,
• chemical,
• civil,
• data science,
• electrical/electronics,
• environmental,
• industrial/manufacturing,
• materials,
• mechatronic,
• mechanical,
• software/systems.
   

In 2021,100 internships will be offered throughout Australia to students from all states and territories and from a wide range of universities.

QTAC administers the DIIP on behalf of The Department of Defence.

What is the defence industry?

Over 3,000 businesses across Australia. The men and women working in the defence industry use their expertise, experience and skills to supply the Australian Defence Force.

The Australian Government is investing $200 billion to modernise Australia's defence capability. As a result of this investment, the defence industry will offer a range of rewarding opportunities working at the cutting-edge of technology and this is your opportunity to experience this growing sector.

The Program

The Defence Industry Internship Program (DIIP) is an initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Defence. This Program matches small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with 3rd and 4th year engineering students for a 12-week (450 hours) internship. 100 engineering internships will be offered during 2021, with QTAC matching high quality, motivated interns with business requirements, location, range of skills, new technologies and current research.

Testimonials

'The Defence Industry Internship Program allows us early access to a talented pool of students and the opportunity to attract them to our organisation. Even if we don’t employ an intern following their placement, it is encouraging to know that the Defence Industry is being kept healthy by the continued addition of Australia’s brightest engineers. It benefits us all.'

― Mike Sharpe, Ultra Australia

'The Defence Industry Internship Program carefully matched high-quality engineering students to our company who have demonstrated an eagerness to become part of our team. The organized interactions, processes and student support provided by QTAC have been appreciated, to ensuring this opportunity provides maximum benefit to the student and organisation.'

― Julia O’Callaghan, Defendtex

'We couldn’t rate the DIIP any higher; from the engagement with program administration to the outstanding quality and enthusiasm of each of our the interns, we were thoroughly impressed. We were able to bring three junior engineers into our business manufacturing F-35 landing gear components, providing exposure to the production engineering, advanced technology and engineering design teams. Each of the interns were able to get hands-on experience in the design, development, test and evaluation of equipment to support our business and customers well into the future.'

 ― Jarrod Watts, RUAG Australia

Benefits

• Students are offered a paid 12 week internship of $930 per week (37.5 hour working week, as a casual employee), contributing to an SME engineering project.
• This is an opportunity to gain real-life experience using the latest cutting edge technologies with leaders within the industry.
• Internship hours can be allocated towards a student’s required industry experience hours.
• Students can apply for up to 5 internships, in order of preference, all around Australia.
• These placements are a great addition to a student’s CV.

Support

QTAC will take care of the recruitment and selection process. Two visits will be made to the workplace during the 12-week internship. Ongoing assistance, advice and support is available for SMEs and interns, along-side pastoral care for interns.

What we do

• Assess and approve SMEs for eligibility.
• Collect and assess student applications received via the DIIP website.
• Match approved students with the most suitable internship opportunity.
• Visit interns and SMEs twice during the internship and provide feedback to the Department of Defence Industry.

For more information visit www.diip.com.au

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a registered Australian business with current workers compensation insurance
• Currently undertaking work for Defence (subcontracting, or in the Defence supply chain)
• Provide an opportunity for an intern to contribute to an engineering project over 12-weeks
• Allow QTAC representatives to visit the intern and their supervisor at the worksite
• Supervise and mentor the intern during the 12-week program
• Be able to provide a safe and supportive work environment Have less than 200 employees

Message to share on social media:

• Calling all 3rd and 4th-year undergraduate engineering students! Applications are now open for the Defence Industry Internship Program. Gain real-life experience with industry leaders using the latest technologies with this 12-week paid internship. Apply now! An initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Defence.
• Applications are now open for the Defence Industry Internship Program. Get real-life experience that can be allocated to your required industry experience hours with this 12-week paid internship. If you’re a 3rd or 4th-year undergraduate engineering student apply now! An initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Defence.