Applications for the "Cyber Security & Electronics" stream are now open, apply below.
Applications for the "Technical Engineering & Electronics" are closed.
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!
Apply for the Cyber Security and Electronics stream(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.
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 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 & Electronics
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Applications | 1 October 2025 – 11 January 2026 |
| Info Sessions | 9 December 2025 (Rockingham Campus, G Block) - more details to come |
| Panel review of applicants and offers issued | 12 - 15 January 2026 |
| Study | Term 1 and Term 2, 2026 |
| Graduation lunch | End of June 2026 |
| Term dates and breaks | For more information, visit our Key Dates page |
| Work placement | 4-week period between July and September 2026 |
Technical Engineering and Electronics
Applications for the Technical Engineering & Electronics stream are currently closed. Check back here in 2026 for further information to apply for this stream.
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Applications | 12 January - 29 March 2026 |
| Info Sessions | 24 March 2026 (Rockingham Campus, G Block) - more details to come |
| Panel review of applicants and offers issued | 30 March - 3 April 2026 |
| Study | Term 2 and Term 3, 2026 |
| Graduation lunch | End of September 2026 |
| Term dates and breaks | For more information, visit our Key Dates page |
| Work placement | 4-week period between October and December 2026 |
Cyber Security and Electronics
- Duration: 6 months of study plus 4 weeks of work placement
- Timetable: 4 days/week | Term 1 and 2 | Mondays - Thursdays, 8.45am - 3.00pm
- Work Placement: 5 days/week | Between July and September | Monday -Friday (business hours)
- Location: South Metropolitan TAFE, Rockingham campus
Technical Engineering and Electronics
- Duration: 6 months of study plus 4 weeks of work placement
- Timetable: 4 days/week | Term 2 and 3 | Mondays - Thursdays, 8.45am - 3.00pm
- Work Placement: 5 days/week | Between October and December | Monday to Friday (business hours)
- 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.
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(opens in a new tab)
- Austal(opens in a new tab)
- Babcock(opens in a new tab)
- BAE Systems(opens in a new tab)
- Barrett Communications(opens in a new tab)
- Birdon(opens in a new tab)
- Consolidated Group(opens in a new tab)
- Echo Marine Group(opens in a new tab)
- Executive Risk Solutions Global(opens in a new tab)
- Franmarine(opens in a new tab)
- Hyperion Systems(opens in a new tab)
- Innovaero(opens in a new tab)
- Kinetic IT(opens in a new tab)
- L3 Harris(opens in a new tab)
- Marine Technicians Australia(opens in a new tab)
- Multiplan(opens in a new tab)
- Onetide(opens in a new tab)
- Red Piranha(opens in a new tab)
- RSM Australia(opens in a new tab)
- Sitep(opens in a new tab)
- Thales(opens in a new tab)
More information
Contact the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence team for more information.
T: 08 9229 9176 - Kathleen Hinkley, Project Manager Defence
E: wid@smtafe.wa.edu.au
Office location: Building G, Rockingham campus, Simpson Avenue, Rockingham, WA