Turn your Defence experience into your next career. Eligible veterans can access a scholarship of up to $5,000 to support training or study that leads to a career in WA's defence industry.
DIVES provides targeted support for former serving members of the Australian Defence Force, recognising the valuable skills and experience they bring to the workforce. These scholarships will assist veterans to upskill, cross-skill, or obtain essential materials that enhance their employability within the defence industry.
With record investments from federal and state government, the defence industry is expanding rapidly, creating thousands of secure and well-paid jobs, and transforming WA into a primary national hub for naval shipbuilding, submarine sustainment, and advanced manufacturing.
Funded by the State Government and supported by the WA defence industry, the DIVES Scholarship Program provides scholarships of up to $5,000 to eligible veterans. The program offers 20 scholarships per year from 2026 to 2029.
What the scholarship can help with
The scholarship can assist eligible veterans to:
- cover vocational education and training or university study costs relevant to defence industry careers, including tuition fees, compulsory fees, textbooks, and equipment
- access career planning support to help identify training, further study, and defence industry career pathways
Who can apply?
The program is open to WA residents who are:
- ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF members)
- current ADF serving members who are transitioning or separating from the ADF within the next six months
The DIVES Scholarship Program is an initiative of the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence.
Occupations eligible for DIVES
A list of eligible occupations is provided here to assist with your DIVES application.
| Automation and Robotics Engineer | Mechanical Engineer |
| Composite Fabrication Engineer | Mechanical Engineering Technician |
| Electrical Engineer | Mechatronics Engineer |
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Naval Architect / Marine Designer |
| Electrical Installation Engineer | Network Engineer |
| Electronic Engineer | Platform Test Engineer |
| Electronic Engineering Technician | Production or Plant Engineer |
| Engineering Manager | Quality Assurance and Product Safety Engineer |
| Engineering Technician | Safety and Certification Engineer |
| Engineering Technologist | Software Engineer |
| Facilities Engineer | Structural Engineer |
| Industrial Engineer | Systems Test Engineer |
| Maintenance Technician | Telecommunications Engineer |
| Marine Engineer | Test and Activation Engineer |
| Materials Engineer | Welding Engineer |
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician | Pipe Fitter/ Welder Tradesperson |
| Crane Operator — General | Process Operator — Technical |
| Dimensional Control Manager | Product Safety Officer |
| Dockmaster | Production Controller |
| Draughtsman and CAD Designer Tradesperson | Production Manager |
| Electrical Tradesperson | Quality Assurance Officer |
| Fabrication Manager | Quality Control Administrator |
| Fibreglass (or Composites) Fabricator / Engineering Technician Composites Trade | Quality Control Inspector |
| Fitter and Machinist (Metal) Tradesperson | Quality Control Technician |
| Heating, Ventilation and Refrigeration (HVAC) Tradesperson | Riggers / Scaffolders / Machinery Riggers |
| Heavy Fabrication Tradesperson / Boilermaker / Welder | Ship Manager / Ship Master |
| Industrial Painter Tradesperson | Subsafe Superintendent |
| Light Fabrication Tradesperson | Surface Finisher Tradesperson |
| Machinist (First Class or CNC) | Surveyor |
| Mechanical Fitter | Test and Activation Technical Officer |
| Non-Destructive Testing Technician | Welding Operations (Class 1 Welder) Tradesperson |
| Operations Manager |
| Program Administrator | Project Planner |
| Program Manager | Project Scheduler |
| Project Manager |
| Integrated Logistics Support Specialist | Quality Control Tech |
| Inventory Control Manager | Storeperson |
| Purchasing and Subcontracts Manager | Subcontracts Administrator |
| Accountant / Finance Officer | Enterprise Architect / IT Manager |
| Business Development Manager | Human Resources Manager |
| Chief Executive Officer | Instructor |
| Chief Financial Officer | IT Business Analyst |
| Chief Information Officer | IT Developer |
| Commercial Manager | Network Administrator / Support Technician |
| Communications Officer | Rehabilitation Coordinator |
| Computer Systems Technician | Software and Applications Programmers |
| Contracts Administrator | Solutions Architect |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | Training Developer |
| Data Analyst | Work, Health, Safety and Environment Manager |
| Database and Systems Administrator |
Interested in the DIVES Scholarship?
The first step is to speak with our Defence Industry Team, located at the Rockingham Jobs and Skills Centre.
We'll work with you one-on-one to explore defence industry career opportunities, identify any training requirements, and determine whether the DIVES Scholarship is right for you. If you're eligible, we'll support you through the application process.
Phone: 08 9599 8655
Email: defence.careers@smtafe.wa.edu.au.