NEWS & MEDIA

The Australian Government continues to deliver on its commitment to grow Australia’s Defence industry workforce and support a future made in Australia with the launch of the Schools Pathways Program: Open Competitive Grant Opportunity. 

This grant opportunity is valued at over $11 million across two financial years (2024-25 and 2025-26). Eligible organisations will be able to apply for funding of between $150,000 and $2,000,000 to deliver activities under the program. 

The program aims to raise awareness of Defence industry career opportunities and relevant pathways and encourages student participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities and subjects. 

It also supports professional development opportunities for teachers and empowers parents and carers to support their child’s pursuit of a highly rewarding STEM career.   

The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, remarked: 

“This Government is committed to developing the defence industry skills we need for a future made in Australia.”

“The launch of this grant opportunity is yet another example of delivering on the Defence Industry Development Strategy, supporting a resilient, competitive and innovative Australian sovereign defence industrial base, and a future Defence industry workforce to support our national security. 

This grant opportunity is in addition to $5.1 million already invested through the Schools Pathways Program inter-governmental agreements with South Australia and Western Australia over financial years 2023-24 and 2025-26.

Further information on the grant opportunity, including guidelines, can be found here

The program will be open for applications in early September 2024.