Working with Defence | SME Seminar
REGISTER HERE – TICKET SALES CLOSE FRIDAY 8 MAY
TUESDAY, 12 MAY, 2026
About
The Working with Defence – SME Seminar is bringing together an exceptional cross-section of Australia’s defence ecosystem — uniting industry, government, and specialist organisations in one room with a shared goal: strengthening SME participation in Defence. Through a mix of expert presentations and panel discussions, attendees gain practical, real-world insights from those actively working within the Defence ecosystem.
This is a readiness session — practical, current and designed to help organisations understand, prepare for and de‑risk engagement with Defence at all stages of their Defence journey.
- Hear from Government, Primes and Industry Bodies
- 6 x Key Advice and Compliance Sessions
- 3 x Panel Sessions
- 1 x Westside Group – SME Case Study
- Morning Tea & Lunch Provided
- Networking Drinks Included
Contributions and Representatives from:
- Honourable Chris Picton, Minister for Defence and Space Industries
- Defence SA – We are delighted to have Matt Opie, Chief Executive at Defence SA, join us to deliver the opening address.
- Defence Teaming Centre – We welcome, Libby Day, CEO of the DTC, who joins us to provide an update on the work of the DTC, and act as a panel moderator.
- AIDN – Michelle De Palma, from the Australian Industry Defence Network will provide an update on the work of AIDN, and how they support members.
- AusIndustry – Representatives will provide information on AusIndustry’s role and purpose, available Grant Funding, and R&D Tax Incentives.
- The Department of Defence (ODIS team) – Representatives will provide a brief overview about how ODIS provides advisory, guidance and mentoring services to SMEs.
- Panellists – See our panellist line up below!
This is a full‑day, in‑person seminar designed to equip organisations with the knowledge, tools and connections required to confidently engage with Defence and critical industry. Hosted by Alliance SA, this event focuses on the real‑world risks that can derail Defence opportunities — from cyber security and regulatory compliance to workforce, export controls and immigration considerations.
Attendees will gain practical insights into how to identify, manage and reduce these risks, strengthening their Defence readiness and commercial resilience. While education is the primary objective, presenters will also share current policies, services and frameworks in a value‑led, informative way, providing clarity on how industry can respond to evolving Defence requirements.
By attending Defence Ready, you will:
- Understand the key operational, security and compliance risks impacting Defence‑aligned organisations
- Gain practical guidance on cyber security, DISP, CMMC 2.0, workforce, and regulatory obligations
- Learn how to prepare your business for Defence procurement and supply‑chain participation
- Hear directly from government, industry and professional services experts
- Build relationships across the Defence and critical industry ecosystem
Who Should Attend?
- Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) seeking Defence readiness
- Defence primes and Tier 1–3 suppliers
- Industry associations and peak bodies
- RTOs, GTOs, Labour Hire & Recruitment firms
- Government stakeholders
- Professional services firms supporting Defence and critical infrastructure
Event Details
- Host: Alliance SA
- Date: Tuesday, 12 May 2026
- Arrival: 8am – 8.30am (Morning tea provided)
- Forum starts: 8.30am – 4.30pm (Lunch provided)
- Networking drinks: 4.30pm – 5.30pm (Networking drinks included in every ticket sale, thanks to WorkSec)
- Venue: The HWY, 290 Anzac Highway, Plympton, SA 5038 (onsite parking available)
- Discount codes available for members of Alliance SA, the Defence Teaming Centre and AIDN. Ask your membership organisation for the code!
PRESENTATIONS
Luke Smith, Secure State, presents:
What SMEs Need to Know About Cyber & Compliance.
- The Cyber Landscape: Rising supply chain threats
- Essential Eight ML2: The mandatory baseline for cybersecurity
- Navigating DISP: Proving whole-of-business security
- Readiness: The non-negotiable contractual requirement for AUKUS Strategic Overlap: Aligning frameworks to your target market
Okke Velzeboer, Department of Home Affairs, and the Department of Defence AGSVA & DISP Teams, present:
Struggling to find skilled workers for your business? for many SMEs in Defence, migration is becoming part of the solution.
- Skilled migration pathways available to SMEs
- How to navigate the system—including when to engage migration lawyers
- What types of candidates Australia is targeting (skills, experience, profiles)
- How SMEs can actually access and secure the talent they need
- Representatives from DISP and AGSVA will providing key updates and information
Ben Cornish, McGrathNicol, presents::
Trusted insiders remain one of the most significant and least well‑managed sources of organisational risk.
- The Australian defence industry operates in a uniquely complex threat environment, characterised by heightened geopolitical tension, advanced cyber capabilities, foreign interference risks, and deep reliance on trusted personnel, contractors and supply‑chain partners.
- While significant investment has been made in cyber security and perimeter security controls, experience across government, defence and other critical infrastructure sectors demonstrates that trusted insiders remain one of the most significant and least well‑managed sources of organisational risk.
Ben Harvey, SAHR , presents Technology & Export Compliance requirements:
The AUKUS Licence Free Environment. “Licence Free is not Compliance Free”.
- How it affects your organisation, how to remain compliant, and how to take advantage
- The changing landscape (both U.S. & Aus)
- AUKUS Licence Free Environment, “Licence Free is not Compliance Free”
- Advantages and disadvantages of new requirements
- Basic/minimum compliance requirements for Australian organisations (AUKUS)
Callan Markwick, Department of State Development, presents:
One of the biggest barriers to growth in Defence right now? It’s not capability. It’s workforce.
- Where workforce shortages exist
- Challenges for SMEs entering or scaling in the supply chain
- Available initiatives, programs and workforce pathways
- How workforce constraints are shaping emerging opportunities
Lauren Conceicao, Skills Frontier, presents:
Many programs exist for defence industry companies to invest in skills and workforce.
Support for businesses to navigate the many strategies, plans and programs.
- Helicopter view on skills and workforce programs across Defence industry, naval shipbuilding and AUKUS
- Where the money, programs, and real opportunities are right now for defence industries
- Winning the war on talent – how defence industries are attracting talent in a competitive landscape
- Connecting you to the opportunities – guidance on the conversations and partnerships you should be establishing now for future success
Key Contributions from:
- Michael LeVene, ExIQ – “Is AI an opportunity or threat for SMEs?’
Panel Preview
We’ve brought together industry leaders, policy experts, and frontline specialists to unpack the realities of entering and scaling within the Defence sector — from risk and compliance, through to workforce challenges and future-proof strategies.
REGISTER HERE – TICKET SALES CLOSE COB FRIDAY 8 MAY
Discount codes available for members of Alliance SA, the Defence Teaming Centre and AIDN. Ask your membership organisation for the code!
Event Details
-
- Host: Alliance SA
- Date: Tuesday, 12 May 2026
- Arrival: 8am – 8.30am (Morning tea provided)
- Forum starts: 8.30am – 4.30pm (Lunch provided)
- Networking drinks: 4.30pm – 5.30pm (Networking Drinks included in every ticket sale, thanks to WorkSec)
- Venue: The HWY, 290 Anzac Highway, Plympton, SA 5038 (onsite parking available)
-
- Tickets: $369.00 + GST
