2024 Defence and Industry Study Course (DISC) cohort at Puckapunyal. Photo courtesy of DISC, Department of Defence.

On Friday 6 December, participants of the 2024 Defence and Industry Study Course celebrated their graduation from the program at the Australian War College, Canberra after a 6 month journey learning about Australia’s Defence Force and Defence Industry.

Fifty-Eight (58) students comprising both Defence personnel and industry representatives from across Australia began the course in June 2024 undertaking four modules that visited some of Australia’s best Defence bases and Defence Industry manufacturing facilities. Modules covered Australia’s several strategic states and territories include Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Each module included site visits pertaining to Army, Navy and Airforce and ranged from Defence bases to Prime and SME industry advanced manufacturing facilities, military museums and war memorials, universities, training facilities, ranges and testing grounds.

Each module began with presentations from keynote speakers and Defence Personnel who provided an overview of their domain and insight into the history and development of today’s Defence Force. Further presentations were given by some of Australia’s leading Defence, Government, Academic and Manufacturing specialists allowing students to gain inside knowledge on decision making processes that shape strategy and policy through open and frank dialog. Throughout the program, students undertook course work across 6 current topics affecting defence industry and presented their papers to Defence and Industry specialists in person and online.

The next intake for DISC will begin early in 2025 with nomination instructions available on the Department of Defence website.

About the program

The Defence and Industry Study Course promotes a better understanding and engagement of both Defence and industry in order to improve Australia’s Defence industry capability and national security. This course brings together and exposes participants to key aspects of the environment in which Defence and industry will need to navigate, collaborate and partner in order to successfully deliver and sustain capability for armed forces. This is achieved through a series of industry and Defence base visits, and expert speakers.

It is specifically designed to enhance the skills of current leaders, project managers, and senior executives working within businesses that supply the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The course provides a professional environment for forging lasting networks with cohort members, offering extensive networking opportunities with key decision-makers from within Defence, Government, and industry¹.

¹ Content courtesy of Department of Defence.