Digital Transformation Agency
2022 ADF Cyber Gap Program (Dec 2021)
Online Program
Opportunity expired
Opportunity details
- Internship, Clerkship or Placement
- AUD 60,000 - 70,000 / Year
- 275-300 vacancies
- Apply by 31 Oct 2021
- Start date 31 Dec 2021
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.
Hiring criteria
- No experience required
- Australian Citizen
- IT & Computer Science +more
- Bachelor or higher
Reviews
I am currently in a technical role where I am working on a longer term project. My day-to-day involves a lot of programming and problem solving, but also collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Although there are some tasks that do not change from day-to-day such as managing inboxes and answering a hotline, there have been some unique projects that have been assigned to me which has challenged me to improve both my technical and communication skills.
Day to day activities involve working towards Sprint goals depending on what work is needed to complete. For example I have recently been working on developing Inclusion Dos and Dont posters, reviewing guidance documents, presenting our policy, conducting discovery research and general admin work to ensure operations of the team work effectively.
About the employer
Digital Transformation Agency
4.1
100 - 500 employees
Government & Public Service
Join the DTA to kick-start your career and help influence world class data and digital government services!
Pros and cons of working at Digital Transformation Agency
Pros
Supportive supervisor who encourages me to learn and take on more tasks and has hugely helped me to develop my skills, supportive HR team, good culture.
I love the culture and the people. My current team is a positive and inspiring working environment, and I have had great experiences with other teams in my division as well of being included in events. My current team's work also resonates with me in wanting to promote a better digital experience for users as an aspiring UX designer.
Best thing about working at the DTA is the culture and environment. Everyone is professional and knowledgeable in their respective roles with the ability to collaborate and help out where needed.
Flexibility of working from home and working in the office. Flex time is also great for if a busy period comes along, you're able to take some additional time off to make up for the extra time worked.
I enjoy the culture and how supported I feel in my role.
Cons
There were difficulties in grasping new processes, particularly when this is the introduction to working in government.
Nothing with the company, just adjusting to how I have a work-life balance and managing energy levels.
Understanding how the company (and government) works as a whole. There is a lot of learning and catching up needed to understand not only the organisation structure but the role of the agency and how it interacts with the government.
As part of the grad program, I've found it hard having had to re-locate away from my family and friends.
Not many people know what we do. The agency doesn't do a great job of communicating externally what we do and our image (e.g. website) isn't fantastic.