2022 ADF Cyber Gap Program null

The Department of Defence has partnered with Digital Profession to provide a crucial career development opportunity — the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Cyber Gap Program.

If you're already studying or currently enrolling in a cyber-related qualification, Defence can offer you generous financial support, along with two cyber exposure experiences to give valuable insight into how you can protect Australia's online systems and information. Once you're qualified, you could find yourself working with Defence or a government agency in a cyber-related role, or perhaps you'll find work within the broader cyber industry. Either way, you'll enhance your cyber skills, and learn more about what makes a career with the Australian Defence Force so rewarding.

How is this different to our other programs?

Committing to a period of Defence service is a pretty big deal. We get that. The flexible thing about this program is that there is no obligation to serve. While you study, you can immerse yourself in experiences with Defence in a cyber-related role, so you'll have the chance to decide whether a Defence career is something you'd like to pursue. You can even keep working in your current job while participating in the program.

And it works both ways — while there's no guarantee of a job with Defence or a government agency at the end of your studies (though you are certainly encouraged to apply), you can also choose to find work elsewhere in the cyber security industry if you find it's not your thing. It's flexible.

Who is this program for?

The ADF Cyber Gap Program is for Australian citizens who are already enrolled in cyber-related studies. The Cyber Gap Program runs for 12 months. In order to apply, you need to be studying for the duration of the 12-month program, you can be working towards any eligible qualification at the Certificate III, IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor’s, Masters or Graduate Certificate levels either part-time or full-time.

If you're currently studying or considering studying one of the listed qualifications, you should think about applying.

We're looking for people who are passionate about cyber security and interested in learning more about how to turn it into a career supporting the Australian Defence Force.

More opportunities for you

All Australians have a role to play in protecting the nation against cyber threats.

The ADF Cyber Gap Program may expose participants to careers in the following areas:

• threat emulation
• cyberspace operations planning
• discovery and counter-infiltration
• incident response
• network vulnerability assessment
• protecting and hardening networks
• data collection and analysis
• network recovery
• incident mitigation strategy development.

Benefits

During this 12-month program you'll get:

• generous financial support with course fees reimbursement up to $15,000, textbooks and stationery costs payment of $600 as well as an academic allowance to assist with ICT costs which will be paid in two $1,250 payments in March and September (one each semester for a total of $2,500)
• two cyber-exposure experiences for you to gain insight into a cyber security career, which includes online development opportunities
• professional membership to the Australian Computer Society
• networking opportunities with a range of Defence cyber subject matter experts, as well as peer networking with participants of various government digital programs
• cyber security career mentoring sessions
• ADF Cyber Gap Program Completion Certificate from the Joint Cyber Directorate
• information for preparing professional cyber job applications

Mentoring and planning

Throughout your studies, you'll have the chance to meet with program mentors to discuss work opportunities in Defence and other government agencies. This mentoring is vital in helping you decide what path your career will take — even if it doesn't end up in the public sector.

Preparing for your application

The following documents will be required to complete your application:

• Proof of Australian citizenship (copy of passport, birth certificate or citizenship certificate)
• Academic transcript or proof of enrolment in an eligible qualification
• Current resume
• Passport style photograph.

Please make sure you have copies of these documents at hand to upload into your application.