QTAC is proud to be partnering with the Department of Defence in the administration of the successful Defence Industry Internship Program, otherwise known as DIIP.

Aimed at engineering students studying at Universities all around Australia that are in their last or second last years of study, DIIP is an opportunity to gain practical engineering experience at a Small or Medium Enterprise (SME) that supports the Defence Industry in Australia.

DIIP helps bridge the gap between theory & practice

Past students have reported that they learned more during their internship experience than they had during their entire previous year at University, as the work experience is invaluable in putting theory into practical applications.

How specialised are the internships?

You’ll see a diverse range of internships on offer this year.  We have electrical and electronic engineers, some of whom are working on the latest high tech surveillance equipment.  We have aeronautical and aerospace internships where students get to work on advanced rocketry and space programs sometimes involving satellites and drones. There are numerous mechatronic opportunities and many mechanical, civil, chemical and software opportunities on offer, all of which involve using innovative technology and equipment that many students simply don’t have exposure to at University.

Working with supportive SMEs & ongoing employment

The hosting companies are fully committed to the process, offering mentoring and support to budding engineers, as they understand the competitive nature of graduate engineering for students. For the SMEs that partake DIIP, it’s a great way to be able to support the future of Australia’s engineering community.

Companies are always keeping an eye out for talent and if an intern proves to fit well within the team, there is very often an offer of ongoing work made at the completion of the internship program.  Many of our former DIIP interns from previous years are still working for the company that they interned with, or at least have used the knowledge gained during their internship as a stepping stone to a successful career within the Defence Industry.

How to Apply

Applications each year commence from mid-June through to July with the internships running for 12 weeks commencing around November/December and finishing in February/March the following year.

If you, or someone you know, is nearing the end of their engineering degree, please refer them to our website www.diip.com.au for more information and details on how to apply.