Defence Graduate Program: Research and Innovation Stream

DSTG is recruiting Australia's brightest STEM graduates!What is the Research and Innovation Pathway?

The Defence Graduate Program: Research and Innovation (R&I) pathway is the key pathway to kickstart your career as a recent graduate working with Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).

DSTG is the Australian Government's lead agency dedicated to providing science and technology support to deliver scientific advice and solutions for Defence and national security challenges.

The 12-month program provides the opportunity to apply the knowledge you've learnt through your University studies to real-life, cutting-edge Defence research programs. You will have the chance to see how we work, learn on the job skills (across 2 rotations), and upon program completion you'll transition into an ongoing role with DSTG.

To apply

Applications for the 2026 Defence Graduate Program open 24th February 2025 and close in early April 2025. Graduates must select the 'Research & Innovation' pathway in the application to be eligible for consideration of a role with DSTG.

You can find further information about the Defence Graduate Program and the link to apply here.

If you're not eligible to apply for 2026, but would like to be notified of future student opportunities with DSTG, complete the form at the bottom of the page to join our mailing list.

Relevant Academic Disciplines

DSTG provides Research & Innovation Graduate opportunities within the following discipline areas:

• Engineering (autonomous systems, robotics, aerospace, aeronautical, mechanical, mechatronic, software)
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Information warfare and computing technologies (including cyber defence and offence, computer science, high performance computing and information technology)
• Quantum
• Mathematics and Physics
• Hypersonics
• Missile Defence
• Air Combat
• Psychology, humanities and social science
• Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear science

Graduate work areas in DSTG

DSTG has 5 Divisions that provide R&I Graduate roles:

• The Human and Decision Sciences Division leads and shapes Defence science and technology in support of human situational awareness, human decision-making, human control and human protection.
• The Information Sciences Division drives and shapes Defence research capabilities in the areas of computational science, autonomy and cyber, communications and computing.
• The Platforms Division develops, integrates and experiments with innovative technologies to produce effective science and technology solutions for crewed and uncrewed ADF platforms across air, land, maritime and space to achieve capability advantage
• The Research Technology & Operations Division brings together, engineers, technicians and computational scientists who provide a range of highly specialised and unique research capability and innovative solutions to deliver advanced research platforms for Defence and national security.
• The Sensors and Effectors Division applies science and technology to the sensing for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and the delivery of physical effects.

Rotations

• During the first 8-month rotation, you'll work on a STEM project that improves Australia's capability in one of DSTG's research divisions. This rotation is assigned based on where your unique skills will be most relevant.
• Rotation two occurs across 4 months and provides the chance to broaden your skills and engage with the wider Defence Innovation, Science and Technology ecosystem. This will set you up for future mobility and collaborations as your career grows.
• After completing rotation 2, you'll bring the skills back to your rotation 1 host group to start your career as a DSTG research employee.

Locations

• Role locations vary depending on degree discipline and skills alignment with DSTG research priority areas.
• DSTG has largest workforce presence in SA and VIC, with some opportunities available in ACT, NSW, WA, QLD and TAS.
• Candidates have the opportunity to indicate their first and second preference role location. While DSTG strives to match graduates to roles in their home state wherever possible, some candidates may be offered a role in their second preference state if their skills are unable to be aligned to a role in their home state. Defence supports graduates to relocate to commence the graduate program.

Eligibility

To be eligible to join DSTG in the Defence Graduate Program: Research and Innovation Pathway, applicants must have obtained a relevant Bachelor with Honours degree (minimum) or postgraduate degree within the last two years before program commencement. For those applying in 2025, to start in February 2026, the qualification must have been completed in 2024 or by the end of 2025.

In addition, all participants in the Defence Graduate Program with DSTG are required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 Security Clearance. More details about this process can be found at the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency. This will be arranged after formal offers have been made. This also means that applications are only open to current Australian Citizens.

Full eligibility criteria for the Defence Graduate program can be found here.

Salary

Defence Gradate Program salary and benefits are available on the Defence Graduate Program webpage.

Enquiries

Should you have any questions, please contact the DSTG Workforce Capability and Talent team.

Hear about the experience of DSTG's Research & Innovation graduates

DSTG offers diverse opportunities aligned with a graduate's degree discipline. Some of our 2024 graduates share their experiences below:

Georgia (Sensors and Effectors Division): 'DSTG is a bridge between research and industry projects, I've had opportunities to do both. I was placed in an exciting team using my chemistry and nanotechnology skills. I'm never at my desk too long, there's always some interesting projects to discuss or materials to analyse.'

Elijah (Information Sciences Division): 'There is nowhere else in Australia where you can work in such a breadth of engineering fields while having the freedom of research. I've enjoyed working in different areas to broaden perspectives and apply what I've learnt in previous areas to my current position. This serves as an excellent launchpad for my career.'

Miyo (Human and Decision Sciences Division): 'I had a range of project opportunities as a Psychology graduate, including direct communication with ADF members, which was rewarding. The program allowed me to understand my interests and strengths to better tailor my future at Defence'

Harkirat (Sensors and Effectors Division): 'I thoroughly enjoyed working as an engineer in an interactive and dynamic environment incorporating the use of advanced technology. It was exciting to participate in work trials, exploring different skill sets and gaining exposure to Defence work environments and teams.'

Patrick (Human and Decision Sciences Division): 'I wanted to apply my background in software engineering to an environment that has a focus on benefiting Australia and Australians. The graduate program has provided development, opportunity, and support. It has been a valuable stepping-stone into industry and government, and providing context as to the 'why' behind Defence projects'