Monday, August 24, 2015

ADF: UNDERGRADUATE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2016

The Department of Defence would like to advise you of civilian undergraduate sponsorships available in 2016 in the following degree disciplines:

·      Engineering: Mechanical, Electrical, Aeronautical and Civil (Min ATAR 85);
·      Business (Min ATAR 80);
·      Arts (Min ATAR 75); and
·      Science (Min ATAR 75). 

These sponsorship opportunities are offered through the University of New South Wales (UNSW) at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) campus in Canberra.  DCUS students are civilians. They do not wear uniforms or participate in military activities. 

About the DCUS
The Defence Civilian Undergraduate Sponsorship (DCUS) offers aspiring university students the opportunity to study alongside members of the Australian Defence Force as civilian students.  Successful applicants, who meet the required ATAR, will work to complete a three or four year undergraduate degree, awarded by the University of New South Wales.

The DCUS program funds the full tuition fees and provides a generous annual bursary for the purchase of required text books and stationery items. Students who graduate from the DCUS do so with no HELP fees and an enhanced opportunity to apply for one of our Defence Graduate Programs, leading to permanent employment in the Australian Public Service. 

This is an exciting opportunity for Year 12 students.  The DCUS provides the opportunity to attend one of Australia’s most respected universities, with an international reputation for outstanding academic programs and world class research.  UNSW Canberra at ADFA offers one of the best student to teacher ratios in the country, and DCUS students have the bonus of a dedicated manager to provide ongoing support to their academic studies and future career development.

In addition to the tuition and bursary, DCUS students will have the opportunity for paid civilian work experience placements at a pro-rata salary rate of $49,009pa during university holidays. Students who successfully complete their degree will then be invited to apply for permanent civilian employment in the Department of Defence through our Graduate Programs.

Attached is the link to our DCUS website for your information and dissemination:


Who Can Apply?
We are seeking high achieving and motivated students who are eager to launch their future careers through university study.  I would be grateful if you could please advise all Year 11 and 12 students about the DCUS (please refer to the above list of available degrees and minimum ATARs).  For more information about UNSW Canberra at ADFA please visit: www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/


How to Apply
Applications for the 2016 DCUS will be open between 1 and 30 September 2015 and students can apply through this website:


Detailed information the application process, how to respond to the application questions and the dates and timing of applications, interviews and university commencement can also be found at the above website.

Relocating to Canberra and Accommodation
Please note, accommodation in Canberra and travel costs are not covered by the Sponsorship.  Students must relocate to, and live in, Canberra for the duration of the degree at their own expense.  We do have several students from interstate currently completing the Sponsorship program, from home locations such as Sydney, Toowoomba, Adelaide and Armidale.  As DCUS Manager I can provide information on accommodation options, such as Uni Lodges within Canberra or Home Stay accommodation to interested students. 

Questions?
Please contact the DCUS Manager on (02) 6127 2138 or email alisa.smith@defence.gov.au



Kind Regards,

Alisa Smith
Manager Defence Sponsorships and Traineeships
Defence Graduate Office


Thursday, August 13, 2015

Interested in becoming a Teacher? Important update!


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The Minister for Education recently announced that NSW school leavers entering teaching degrees in 2016 will need to achieve three Band 5 HSC results including in English.

The Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES) has worked closely with vice-chancellors and other staff from all NSW teacher education providers to implement strengthened academic requirements for admission into teaching degrees.

Universities have been provided with a number of options for addressing these strengthened entry requirements including strengthened discipline underpinning the early stages of a program as well as a range of pathways into teaching for school leavers who do not achieve the required three Band 5 results including in English.

I write to ask that you advise your careers advisors and relevant members of staff that the simple message to convey to students interested in teaching is that from 2016 there is an expectation that they have achieved at least three Band 5 results including in English in the HSC, but that there are a range of other options and pathways into teaching that are assessed by the BOSTES as being comparable to this standard.

Further information on this can be found at the BOSTES website.

Tom Alegounarias
President