DILP 2026 calls for aspiring defence leaders

Applications are open for the 2026 Defence Industry Leadership Program (DILP) – Australia’s premier program for aspiring leaders in Defence. Its alumni reflect a broad range of current defence industry leaders directing prominent small, mid-tier, and prime businesses. The 2026 curriculum is expected to be the most engaging to date and like past years will 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. Defence Teaming Centre CEO Libby Day said that DILP has very firmly established itself as the leadership program of choice for emerging leaders. “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,” said Day. A 2025 DILP participant, Siobhan Langan, Senior Project Officer: Business Development, Defence & Space at the University of South Australia said she enrolled in DILP because it would allow her to fast-track her Defence Industry knowledge and understanding of the sector as well as establish a meaningful network of contacts. “I look forward to each and every session,” explained Langan. “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 offers 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.’ This year’s industry projects will include ‘Improving Australia’s competitiveness in export markets,’ ‘Bridging the gap between support programs and industry engagement’ and ‘Navigating over-compliance in SME’s – Unlocking creativity and innovation by redesigning regulatory ecosystems.’ DILP provides a unique advantage over internal leadership programs by bringing together rising leaders from different defence organisations, enabling cross-sector collaboration and exposure to a wide range of leadership approaches and strategic thinking. This sentiment was echoed by David McIver, Senior Software Engineer at Dedicated Systems Australia who is currently enrolled in DILP and who believes it represents a tangible ROI for employers. “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,” said McIver. DILP is one of the 22 initiatives funded under the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan. Through face-to-face workshops, and experiential learning, DILP allows its participants to acquire the skills and knowledge to effectively lead and manage multi-party collaborations and understand the complexity of the defence industry. The participants gain proficiency in self-leadership and self-awareness and become comfortable applying adaptive leadership in challenging environments. The course includes presentations from senior Defence and industry specialists, as well as engaging site visits. Next year’s course will span March to November 2026. The closing date for applications is 12 December 2025. The course is undertaken on a part-time basis and whilst participants find it challenging, it is also a very rewarding experience. Peter Garratt, Maintenance Support Team Lead at Airbus Australia Pacific commented: “I highly recommend DILP to others but be prepared to be challenged. It’s not for those who like staying in their comfort zone,” explained Garratt. Anyone interested in DILP can learn more and apply here. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]