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 are now open for the Technical Engineering & Electronics stream.
Women in Defence Industry Scholarship [flyer] (1 MB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab)
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.
Technical Engineering & Electronics
- Applications: 16 June – 24 August 2025
- Info Session: 12 August 2025 (Rockingham Campus, G Block) - Register now on Eventbrite(opens in a new tab)
- Interviews: 25 – 29 August 2025
- Study: 6 Oct – 12 Dec 2025
- Holidays: 13 Dec – 1 Feb 2026
- Study: 2 Feb – 2 Apr 2026
- Graduation Lunch: 9 April 2026
- Term Break: 3 – 27 April 2026
- Work Placement: 28 Apr – 29 May 2026
Cyber Security & Electronics
- Applications: 1 Oct 2025 – 11 Jan 2026
- Info Session: 9 Dec 2025 (Rockingham Campus, G Block) - more details to come
- Interviews: 12 – 15 Jan 2026
- Study: 2 Feb – 10 Apr 2026
- Holidays: 11 – 26 Apr 2026
- Study: 27 Apr – 3 July 2026
- Graduation Lunch: 15 July 2026
- Term Break: 4 – 19 July 2026
- Work Placement: 20 July – 14 Aug 2026
Technical Engineering and Electronics
- Duration: 6 months
- Timetable: 3 days/week | 6 Oct 2025 – 2 Apr 2026
- Work Placement: 5 days/week | 28 Apr – 29 May 2026
- Location: South Metropolitan TAFE, Rockingham campus
Cyber Security and Electronics
- Duration: 6 months
- Timetable: 4 days/week | 2 Feb – 3 July 2026
- Work Placement: 5 days/week | 20 July – 14 Aug 2026
- Location: South Metropolitan TAFE, Rockingham campus
- 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.
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.
To apply, complete and submit the online application form below.
Women In Defence Industry Scholarship form(opens in a new tab)
Once complete, email your resumé/CV to WID@smtafe.wa.edu.au
Note: By applying, you give permission for SM TAFE to share your resumé/CV with SM TAFE staff for potential study opportunities.
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.
You will undertake a work placement at a defence industry employer.
We are grateful for the many defence industry partners who provide work experience to the Women in Defence Industry participants. You could find yourself at one of the following:
Asset Reliability Inspections, Austal, Babcock, BAE Systems, Barrett Communications, Birdon, Consolidated Group, Echo Marine Group, Franmarine, Innovaero, L3 Harris, Marine Technicians Australia, Multiplan.
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