Applications have opened for the 2026 Defence Industry Leadership Program (DILP) - one of Australia’s programs for aspiring leaders in Defence.
“The Diploma of Leadership and Management from the DILP course is a huge accolade for leaders in our sector. For employers, it pays dividends immediately, identifying individuals who are serious about pursuing a C-suite career in the Defence industry,” Defence Teaming Centre CEO, Libby Day, said.
The 2026 curriculum is expected to expose participants to key decision-makers in Government and Defence whilst also empowering them to contribute meaningfully to defence industry through the development of industry research projects.
“I look forward to each and every session,” 2025 DILP participant and Senior Project Officer: Business Development, Defence & Space at the University of South Australia Siobhan Langan, stated. “The DILP curriculum is world class with incredible speakers that provide you with deep insight into how SMEs and Primes operate in the sector – their systems, processes, approach and culture - and this has proved invaluable to me in my role with the university.”
DILP is delivered by the DTC in collaboration with registered training provider, SkillsLab, a Tetra Tech company. One of the ways the DILP program has offered participants the opportunity to grow their leadership capability is by enabling them to contribute to industry knowledge through a variety of rigorous ‘industry research projects.'
“Participating in DILP has given me a greater appreciation of how our products can help fast-track innovative Defence projects. It’s a powerful course, well worth the investment,” Senior Software Engineer at Dedicated Systems Australia who is currently enrolled in DILP, David McIver, commented.
This year’s industry projects will consist of: ‘Improving Australia’s competitiveness in export markets,’ ‘Bridging the gap between support programs and industry engagement’ and ‘Navigating overcompliance in SME’s – Unlocking creativity and innovation by redesigning regulatory ecosystems.’
Anyone interested in DILP can learn more and apply here - https://dtc.org.au/services/defenceindustry-leadership-program