Students and public servants are being enticed with generous scholarships to study nuclear science and engineering so they can begin "exciting roles" on the massive AUKUS submarine program.
Defence is scrambling to find hundreds of properly qualified staff for the mammoth task of acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine fleet with the help of the UK and US.
The ABC can reveal Defence is establishing a nuclear scholarship program from next year, offering scholarships worth approximately $20,000 per student per year.
Over the next five years Defence expects to offer over 300 scholarships and has launched a separate initiative to sponsor existing staff to undertake nuclear-related Masters courses.
"Participation in these programs is in direct support of the establishment of a nuclear-powered submarine capability in Australia," the Defence Department stated in a recently placed advertisement.
"This opportunity would see successful graduates able to take on exciting roles in support of nuclear-powered submarines and/or nuclear stewardship at the completion of their studies."
An existing Defence STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Cadetship Program is also being expanded to target nuclear-related studies, with cadets entering trainee positions in the department.
The new scholarships will be awarded to applicants who are undertaking undergraduate and postgraduate studies in STEM areas relevant to Defence nuclear science and engineering, and who demonstrate strong academic results.
Next year up to a dozen Defence employees, and other public servants, are also expected to be sponsored for a Master of Science in Nuclear Science at the ANU, or Master of Engineering Science (Nuclear Engineering) at UNSW.
"This is about developing a high-tech workforce of Australians qualified to steward and deliver this important capability," Defence Minister Peter Dutton said.
"These scholarships will provide Australians the opportunity to develop essential skills and qualifications to work in the nuclear-powered submarine enterprise."
In September Australia announced its intention to acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership, but there have been widespread concerns about the lack of properly qualified staff to deliver the ambitious program.
