Nominations for the 2025 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards are now open, with 15 award categories available for individuals and companies.

An initiative of the Victorian Government since 2001, the Awards recognise the achievements of businesses and individuals at the pinnacle of manufacturing excellence. 

More information is available at:

Nominations open for the 2025 Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards | News and articles | Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions

We’re excited to give you an early heads-up! VDSN is currently planning a Space Industry Networking Event to bring together professionals, organisations, and stakeholders across the Victorian space sector ahead of the 76^th International Astronautical Congress 2025 (IAC 2025) to be held in Sydney 29 September – 3 October 2025.

Event Overview: To inform the Victorian defence and space sector SMEs of opportunities to maximise their participation at IAC 2025. Organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), IAC is the preeminent global space event. Last held in Australia in 2017, IAC 2025 is forecast to attract up to 10,000 attendees from 80 plus countries and provides unparalleled global reach into the space sector.

The event will include presentations from some of the Hosts that deliver an overview of the Congress including the background to the event, likely attendees (including delegations), opportunities for participation and other coordinating details. Sector leads will provide their insights on the importance of the Congress to the sector and how to capitalise on opportunities. Victorian leads will also participate to help identify potential participation and synchronisation of the Victorian sector.

Victorian industry and academia with an interest in IAC 2025 are strongly encouraged to attend and engage in discussions related to the Congress.

More details including keynote speakers and format will be released shortly.

Date: June 2, 2025

Time: 9:30am – 1:00pm (registrations from 9.30am, event to formally commence at 10am)

Location: Melbourne CBD

Mark your calendars and prepare to be part of this significant event.

Event details will be shared when registration opens closer to the date and registration is required to attend.

Please contact the VDSN Manager at manager@vdsn.org if you have any questions. 

The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) invites industry quotations to prove their capacity for domestic production of HF-1 steel that complies with MIL-S-70703 and MIL-S-50783 standards.

Respondents must indicate their capability to produce HF-1 steel at an industrial scale, satisfying the requirement of 900 tonnes of HF-1 steel bar per year, with the possibility of ramping up to 4,520 tonnes per year within a 12-month lead time.

Submissions close 19 May 2025

Information on the requirements and tendering processes is available at the links below.

Domestic manufacturing of HF-1 steel billets | Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator

Current ATM View - 58249: AusTender

Team Defence Australia (TDA) has extended the Expressions of Interest closing date to participate in the Australian industry delegation’s to:

• Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition - Washington DC, USA, 13-15 October 2025 EOI is open now and closes 18 May 2025.

Interested companies can apply to attend by completing the EOI form through the ICN webpage Gateway by ICN.

Companies are reminded to submit their EOI by the closing date, as we will not be able to extend the opportunity again.

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As part of the TDA delegation, companies will receive free space on the custom-built national pavilion, providing a platform to showcase and demonstrate your capabilities face-to-face with the foreign delegations, and industry partners. Additionally, delegates will receive services to maximise participation at the show, including; pre-event support, market advice and business-to-business matching through Austrade's network of business advisers.

TDA is the national platform for Australian defence industry to showcase their goods, services, technologies and solutions at international trade events.

For companies selected to attend an international trade show as part of the TDA industry delegation, TDA will provide:

• Free space on the custom-built TDA pavilion
• Exhibitor passes
• Pre-event support and advice
• Senior Military support and advocacy
• Access to facilities and meeting rooms
• Briefings, networking and B2B matching
• On-site support from TDA representatives at the trade show

 

Companies wishing to join a TDA delegation as an ‘Exhibitor’ are requested to commit at least two attendees to the show to ensure they have a presence on the pavilion at all times. This will be strictly enforced where TDA Exhibitor capacity is over-subscribed.

 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at teamdefence.australia@defence.gov.au.

Shaping the Future of Defense: Innovation, Collaboration, and Resilience
3 - 4 June, 2025
Join us in Melbourne, Australia, for our upcoming conference to discover how digital engineering and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) are transforming the future of defense.
Australia’s defense industry plays a vital role in the national economy, contributing $10.6 billion in 2022–23 and supporting over 64,000 jobs. With the defense budget set to reach $54.1 billion by 2025, investment in Digital Engineering is key to strengthening capabilities, enhancing collaboration, and building adaptable, future-ready defense systems.

Dassault Systèmes invites you to a two-day Digital Engineering Symposium in Melbourne. The symposium will bring together industry leaders such as key members of the Australian Department of Defense, and senior INCOSE chapter members to discuss the future of Digital Engineering in Australia's defense sector.


Day 1: Plenary Session
Date: June 3, 2025 (Tuesday)
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: Melbourne, Australia — Exact location to be shared later

Gain insights from government officials and industry leaders from leading primes, supply chain and academic institutions as they discuss emerging trends, best practices, and global perspectives on Digital Engineering. Through thought leadership sessions and interactive discussions, this event will foster innovation and shape the future of Australia's defense ecosystem.

Day 2: User Conference
Date: June 4, 2025 (Wednesday)
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Melbourne, Australia — Exact location to be shared later

This exclusive technical conference will explore the latest advancements in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) for defense. It will provide insights into recent updates, future enhancements, and best practices for deploying CATIA Magic / Cameo and adopting it for Model-Based Acquisition. By fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic networking, this conference ensures that Australia's defense organizations maximize the power of digital engineering in mission-critical operations.

Secure your spot now—seats are limited!

REGISTER HERE:https://lnkd.in/gEiBfJyq

Are you a Victorian SME looking to lift your capability and do more work in Defence?

The Victorian Government’s Land Systems Fund – Supply Chain Uplift Program (SCUP) is STILL OPEN for applications!

If you're a contractor or an innovative business seeking opportunities in the defence sector, now is the perfect time to apply for funding to support your next major project with us. If successful, we’ll help you secure funding to enhance your capabilities, from R&D to infrastructure upgrades.

This grant program is designed to help defence companies grow, innovate, and strengthen our national security. Whether you're advancing cutting-edge technology, improving your supply chain, or enhancing workforce capabilities, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss!

Why apply? Funding will support eligible Victorian businesses to:

- Gain relevant accreditations and meet industry-specific compliance requirements

- Prepare tenders

- Undertake minor facility upgrades and equipment fit-outs

- Develop or enhance current defence products or services

- Undertake defence R&D

- Participate in Hanwha-led trade missions to pursue collaboration and export opportunities.

Eligibility:

- Be registered on Hanwha’sBenchOnportal (the Department may verify your claim with Hanwha)

- Be a legal entity with an operating business presence in Victoria

- Submit an application for activities linked directly to your Victorian business operations

- Have a registered Australian Business Number (ABN)

- Be able to demonstrate and meet the required cash co-contribution ($1 for every $1 provided)

- Comply with all workplace health and safety obligations and meet all industrial relations obligations as an employer (specific criteria apply, so be sure to check the program guidelines)

For more details and to submit your application, visithttps://lnkd.in/gVFbVN2r

Let’s secure the future of defence together.

Gyeongsangnam-do Province, the heart of South Korea's defence industry, is pleased to invite you to an exclusive Defence Industry Road Show and Networking Dinner.

This event will showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovations from leading defence companies and university in Gyeongsangnam-do, offering you a valuable opportunity for collaboration and business engagement. Grateful if you can join us for these insightful presentations, networking, and discussions on potential partnerships with key defence industry partners from Gyeongsangnam-do. For any inquiries, please contact Mr. Kyoungcheol Choi (kcchoi@gntp.or.kr).

 

Date: 28 April 2025

Time: 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Dress code: Business casual

RSVP now

Please note that once you have submitted an EOI, your registration will be reviewed, and you will be notified as soon as possible whether your registration is accepted.

The Victorian Government in conjunction with the Avalon Airshow 2025 has released a Victorian Defence Vision Statement.

This document provides a clear signal to Australian and international stakeholders across government and industry on Victoria’s commitment to the sector. This commitment supported by the critical role of industry will position the State to secure investment projects that will uplift the sector and support economic and national security objectives.

The Victorian Defence Vision Statement can be accessed at the link below and will be further publicised during the Avalon Airshow 2025.

Web link:

https://defence.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/2379308/Victorian-Defence-Vision.pdf

Leidos Australia is seeking to maximise opportunities available for Australian industry for upcoming opportunities in 2025 and beyond, including small-to-medium-enterprises (SMEs) and Indigenous enterprises. Leidos is focused on continually growing the size and capability of Australian Industry Capability by providing opportunities to join our supply-chain. The opportunity scope requires Leidos to deliver Counter Small Unmanned Aerial Systems capabilities, and are seeking engagement with organisations that will potentially be able to support its delivery, particularly in the provision of mature, cost-effective technologies including:

• Active and passive radar;
• Electro-optic, acoustic and thermal sensors;
• Projectile based systems;
• Directed energy systems; and
• Counter-RF systems

Leidos encourage Australian Industry to express interest in this opportunity by registering on the Leidos APN and also by directly contacting michaella.edelstein@au.leidos.com. Leidos will then reach out to organisations with relevant, mature capabilities being sought as the first stage of the engagement process. Leidos hope to maximise opportunities for Australian industry involvement in their supply chain and engage with a broad range of companies who will also be considered for longer-term opportunities as they arise.

Posted on behalf of Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN)

Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN) is pleased to invite you to attend the AIDN Pitch Perfect Online Webinar.

Ahead of the upcoming Avalon Airshow, and events such as, the ‘Global Supply Chain Briefing: Pitch to the Primes’, AIDN are hosting a Pitch Perfect Webinar to help Members ensure they feel fully prepared and equipped when presenting their capabilities, value propositions, and key differentiators to potential partners and prime contractors.

Not attending Avalon? This webinar will still be a great way to refine your pitching skills, gain insights into what primes, and industry leaders are looking for, and enhance your ability to articulate your business strengths in any setting.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Hear from two leading GSC Primes, BAE Systems Australia and Moog Australia Pty Ltd on best practice pitch preparation.

Innovation expert, Craig Butler from The Defence Science Institute will share essential insights into how to modify and frame a pitch around your audience.

The webinar will be led by AIDN VIC Committee Member, Jason Barkla, from Aldus Engineering whilst providing SME input into the discussion.

REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gvvtFAzG

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm (AEDT)
Location: Online

TICKET PRICES:

AIDN & VDSN Members: FREE
Non-AIDN Members: $25 + GST

Note: VDSN Members, please check your emails and ensure to enter the Discount Code to register.

***Please note that for security reasons, you will receive the link to the webinar once AIDN has confirmed your details.