From project management and TAFE teaching to cyber, personal development and barista skills, new opportunities are helping veterans and Defence families take their next step.
For veterans and Defence families considering what comes next, the right education or training opportunity can be the beginning of a new career.
Through Soldier On’s Career & Education Program, current and former Australian Defence Force personnel and their families can access education guidance, scholarships, training opportunities, mentoring and professional development designed to help them build skills, gain qualifications and explore new career pathways.
Soldier On works with education providers, vocational colleges, training organisations and industry partners to connect participants with opportunities that recognise the skills and experience gained through Defence service.
The organisation’s Career and Education Support Officers provide one-on-one support to help participants identify their goals, research options and navigate pathways into further study, training and employment. Participants can also access the Soldier On Education Guide and Career & Education Hub, which brings together education resources, opportunities and support in one place.
And there are opportunities available now.
CQUniversity – a pathway into TAFE teaching
CQUniversity Australia, in partnership with Soldier On, is offering a limited number of Veteran Scholarships for aspiring TAFE teachers.
The opportunity is aimed at eligible Queensland residents with industry experience who are interested in helping others learn and exploring a career as a TAFE teacher.
CQUniversity confirms that applicants need to meet eligibility requirements including Queensland residency, an appropriate VET qualification and relevant current industry experience. Applicants transitioning or recently transitioned from the ADF may receive priority consideration.
Scholarship recipients can have their course costs covered, receive cash payments at course milestones, undertake practical work placements and receive support during their studies and after graduation to help transition into their new career.
Applicants who are unsuccessful for a scholarship may be considered for a low-cost Training and Assessment place, subject to eligibility and available funding. Under the initiative, the course cost is $300 and is refundable on completion.
CQ uni Applications must be submitted by 24 August 2026.
Fill out the CQUni scholarship application form here
University of Canberra – Soldier On scholarships and tailored veteran support
Soldier On partners with the University of Canberra (UC) to provide scholarships supporting former Defence personnel and family members.
The University of Canberra Soldier On Scholarship awards two scholarships annually, supporting eligible recipients in any year of an undergraduate degree.
The 2027 scholarship round will be announced soon, with applications opening towards the end of 2026 for study commencing in Semester 1, 2027.
For further information about the scholarship and eligibility, contact the Soldier On Career & Education team.
The University of Canberra also supports current and former ADF members through its Veteran Tertiary Support Program (VTSP).
Eligible Defence personnel participating in the VTSP can apply for direct entry to UC, receive an automatic selection rank based on their Defence rank and experience, and may be eligible for automatic credit for some units in some courses. Participants can also apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), subject to course requirements and credit limits, and access a range of tailored support and benefits.
Together, these pathways provide veterans with greater flexibility when considering higher education, recognising the skills, experience and knowledge developed through Defence service.
Eighth Mile Consulting – personal development scholarships
Applications are now open for three fee-free scholarships each quarter through Eighth Mile Consulting.
Successful participants can choose an online course from:
- Combating Imposter Syndrome
- Reinvent Yourself
- Ceasing Micromanagement
The courses provide an opportunity to focus on personal and professional development, build confidence and consider what comes next.
One Soldier On participant who has commenced an Eighth Mile course said:
‘I can’t recommend the course enough and believe it can help many others, particularly those who can relate to the lingo through personal experience within the Australian Defence Force.’
The participant said the course had already helped them break down and understand their goals and had come at an important time in their life.
AIPM™ – a pathway into the project profession
Soldier On has partnered with the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM™) to offer an annual scholarship designed to support transitioning ADF members, veterans and their families as they move into rewarding civilian careers.
Each year, two Soldier On participants are awarded a scholarship providing a pathway into the project profession. The package includes:
- one-year AIPM™ membership, providing access to industry resources, networking and professional development;
- coverage of RegPM™ certification assessment fees; and
- full access to the AIPM™ Conference, providing opportunities to learn from industry leaders, participate in workshops and build professional connections.
Applicants are required to provide a letter of recommendation from Soldier On as part of the application process.
For Tasmanian project professional Alexander Dunlop, the scholarship represents an opportunity to strengthen his professional standing while expanding his network.
‘I applied for the AIPM scholarship to continue developing as a project professional. The RegPM certification will strengthen my professional standing, while AIPM membership and the opportunity to attend national conferences will help me build connections across the wider project management community.’
For Alexander, being based in Tasmania can make it more difficult to network broadly across the profession.
‘I’m looking forward to meeting new people, learning from others in the profession and expanding my network.’
He also praised the support he received from Soldier On’s Career and Education team.
‘They clearly explained each step, always made time to answer my questions and kept me updated along the way. I’m very grateful to AIPM and Soldier On for creating this opportunity.’
Social Cyber Group – cyber, technology and national security
Scholarship opportunities are available for up to 15 veterans between July and December 2026 through Social Cyber Group, according to Soldier On’s Career & Education team.
The academy’s program areas include:
- The Crisis in Tech Policy and Diplomacy
- Cyber Organisation Stress Points
- Economics and Strategic Decision-Making for Cyber and AI
- Cyber & Tech Policy in China
- Policy Design and Regulatory Systems for Cyber and AI
- Graduate Program in Cyber and AI Policy
- Building National AI Capability
Priority is given to applicants demonstrating a commitment to, or passion for, public service, national security or technology governance.
Participants should contact Soldier On’s Career & Education team for current eligibility and application information.
Compass Group – ‘Brew Your Future’ barista training
Education and career development opportunities aren’t limited to formal qualifications.
Compass Group Australia is offering an exclusive, hands-on ‘Brew Your Future’ Barista Skills Training opportunity for veterans and Defence families, designed to provide practical café skills and a potential pathway into employment opportunities across its business.
The next course will be held at Cannon Hill (Brisbane, QLD) on Wednesday 30 September 2026, from 9am to 1pm.
Places are limited to six participants to allow plenty of hands-on practice and personalised coaching.
Participants will learn:
- safety VOC and SWSP;
- how to set up and dial in the grinder and machine;
- operational training on both grinder and machine;
- coffee-bean theory and barista allergen controls;
- how to prepare espresso coffees including long black, flat white, cappuccino, latte, short and long macchiato, mocha/hot chocolate and coffee add-ons; and
- clean-up and pack-down.
Expressions of interest can be sent to staceykennedy@compass-group.com.au.
The opportunity builds on Compass Group Australia’s established commitment to supporting current and former ADF personnel and their families into meaningful civilian employment. Compass Group says it provides structured support and mentoring to help veterans transition into new career pathways.
UNSW – education and scholarship opportunities
UNSW is another important Soldier On education partner, working with Soldier On to strengthen pathways into higher education and support veterans and their families.
UNSW offers scholarship and internship opportunities that recognise the skills and experience of military personnel, alongside pathways designed to help veterans translate professional experience into university study. Its current veteran information also highlights postgraduate entry pathways that can recognise professional experience, including Pathway 5 for selected programs.
UNSW also offers a Veterans Scholarship for eligible former and transitioning ADF personnel or dependants experiencing disadvantage. Eligibility and application requirements vary between scholarship programs.
Soldier On participants interested in UNSW opportunities can speak with the Career & Education team about which pathways may be appropriate for their circumstances. Find out more here.
More opportunities through Soldier On
These are just some of the opportunities available through Soldier On’s education and career network.
Depending on individual eligibility, Career and Education Support Officers can also help participants explore opportunities including:
- Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP);
- ADF transition training funding;
- AVCAT scholarships;
- free TAFE opportunities for eligible Queensland veterans; and
- Defence industry scholarships.
Soldier On’s education service is designed to help current serving ADF personnel, ex-serving veterans and their families pursue further study, update qualifications, explore new vocational pathways and build confidence across a range of industries.
Education is about more than a qualification
For veterans and Defence families, education can be about much more than gaining a certificate or degree.
It can mean translating skills developed through Defence service into a new profession. It can provide an opportunity to rebuild professional confidence, develop new networks, pursue a long-held ambition or create greater career security for the whole family.
That is why Soldier On’s Career & Education Program brings education, employment, mentoring and career development together rather than treating them as separate journeys.
As Soldier On’s recent Career & Education story explains, the program has been designed around the reality that employment, education and mentoring often overlap as people work out what they want their future to look like.
The aim is to help participants make informed decisions and build a pathway that reflects their own skills, interests, circumstances and aspirations.
Take the next step
Whether you’re thinking about a qualification, professional development, retraining or a completely new career direction, you don’t have to work it out alone.
Please contact our career and employment support officers at employment@soldieron.org.au
The team can help you explore your options, identify suitable opportunities and understand how education or training could support your longer-term career goals.
Eligibility, application requirements, availability and closing dates vary between opportunities. Participants should check the relevant provider’s current requirements before applying.
