ADF Cyber Gap Program 2023

The ADF Cyber Gap Program (ADF CGP) is a 12-month program developed in partnership between the Department of Defence and the Digital Profession joining tertiary study with extensive career development opportunities, relevant work experience and generous financial support to provide participants with invaluable and competitive career advantages.

The benefits of the program include:

• Course fees covered (up to $15,000)
• Textbooks and stationery payment of $600 alongside academic ICT allowance of $2,500
• Two cyber-exposure experiences including online opportunities
• Professional ACS membership
• Mentoring and networking opportunities with experts and peers
• ADF Cyber Gap Program Completion Certificate from the Joint Cyber Directorate
• Information for preparing professional cyber job applications

Participants must be an Australian citizen, currently studying or enrolling into an eligible qualification either part or full-time. Applications for the ADF Cyber Gap Program 2023 closed on Monday 31^st October.

You need to be currently studying or enrolling into an eligible qualification to apply for and participate in the ADF program, and we provide a selection of these courses to choose from. We’ve also had students in all previous rounds of the program, so we know how to support you and your studies throughout the 12-month period and beyond.

In addition, our courses are entirely online – making it flexible to fit study around work, family and commitments to come.

Neither IT Masters nor Charles Sturt University have an affiliation with the Department of Defence, Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), Digital Profession or the ADF Cyber Gap Program. The application, selection, and facilitation of the program is entirely the responsibility of the Department of Defence, Digital Profession and the APSC.

Our eligible courses are:

• Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
• Master of Cyber Security
• Graduate Certificate in Cloud Computing and Virtualisation
• Master of Cloud Computing and Virtualisation
• Graduate Certificate in Networking and Systems Administration
• Master of Networking and Systems Administration
• Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Computing)
• Master of Business Administration (Computing)
• Graduate Certificate in Computing (Career Transition)

If you don’t have any previous university study or an IT background, you may be granted entry to our Graduate Certificate pathway.

Applications for the ADF Cyber Gap Program 2023 closed on Monday 31^st October.

The application process may sound daunting, but it’s quite simple. To apply for the ADF Cyber Gap Program you must provide proof of enrolment, so the first step is to apply for the eligible course of your choice with ITM-CSU.

Applications open on 1 September. You’ll have to start in our late February intake, or if you’re studying a Master’s you can start in our November intake this year. These are listed in the application form as Session 1 2023 (February) and Session 3 2022 (November). Remember, your course fees are only reimbursed for subjects studied next year.

Make sure to have all your required documents handy to speed up our processing time, so you can get your ADF CGP application in sooner:

• Passport/citizenship certificate
• CV and/or LinkedIn profile
• Previous studies transcript/completion certificate

Once we’ve assessed and accepted your application to study, we’ll send your offer letter and be in touch to talk about your study goals and subject plan.

After you’ve received your offer letter, you’re ready to apply for the ADF CGP program. You can apply online via the application form on the APSC Jobs Board, where you’ll be required to submit all the documents listed above plus a passport-sized photo.

As part of the ADF CGP application, you’ll need to answer a number of questions about your motivations for the program and your interest in IT. Take your time with your answers, as previous students have been accepted on their responses and application details alone.

Remember, we aren’t affiliated with the ADF Cyber Gap Program. Once you’ve submitted your application, we’re unable to provide you updates on how it’s progressing. If you have any questions, you can direct them to the ADF Cyber Gap Program at cybergap@apsc.gov.au or (02) 6120 8701.

Don’t worry, you could still gain entry to study based on work experience through our Graduate Certificate pathway. We’re also here to provide you with the support you need to get started with your study, from course planning and subject selection to general check-ins to make sure everything is going alright.

Previous and current ITM-CSU and ADF-CGP students have told us plenty of times that an IT background isn’t a huge concern – they’re looking for passion and commitment to learning more about cyber security.

“The great thing about Cyber Security is that it is such a vast field that requires a diversity of skillsets and backgrounds. If you have an interest in the field, don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a technical background.”
Kath Taylor, Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security & ADF Cyber Gap Program 2021

Read more about our ADF CGP student experiences here.

The 12-month program is just that – January to December! There are online and in-person events throughout the year, to be confirmed by the APSC.

You can start in either our November or late February intake and be eligible for the ADF Cyber Gap Program, but your fees will only be covered from subjects started in 2023.

Yes – if you’re studying one of our Graduate Certificates!

The ADF Cyber Gap Program reimburses course fees up to $15k, which is an entire Grad Cert or 4 subjects of a Master’s. These will need to be studied within the 12-month duration of the program.

Remember, there are a total of 12 subjects in a Master’s – or less if you claim credit towards your degree. This means there’ll be at least two subjects you’ll need to cover the cost for, which you can choose to defer to FEE-HELP or pay upfront if you wish.

Fees are reimbursed, so you’ll have to pay them upfront initially. You can do this via direct payment or deferral to FEE-HELP. Once you’ve passed the subject, you’ll need to provide evidence to the ADF CGP for reimbursement – we’ll help you with this. SSAF fees and/or FEE-HELP indexation won’t be reimbursed, you’ll have to cover these ones.

Don’t forget about the generous textbook and stationery payments and the academic allowance!

You can always cut down on your study time and cost with credit for industry certification or previous studies – find out with our simple form now.

The ADF CGP application form consists of personal details plus short answer questions regarding your experience and interest in the program. Make sure you answer each question with honest detail and read through your responses again before submitting.

Applications couldn’t be saved and submitted later, so we’d recommend you prepare your responses in a separate document before completing the online ADF CGP application. You can preview the application form here.

You’ll need to provide in your application:

• Passport/citizenship certificate
• CV and/or LinkedIn profile
• Previous studies transcript/completion certificate
• Passport-sized photo or clear selfie photo

After the initial ADF CGP application, you may be required to attend an online interview and an online selection board session. However, you could be accepted entirely from your application.

Remember, we aren’t affiliated with the ADF Cyber Gap Program. Once you’ve submitted your application, we’re unable to provide you updates on how it’s progressing. If you have any questions, you can direct them to the ADF Cyber Gap Program at cybergap@apsc.gov.au or (02) 6120 8701.

Previous and current ITM-CSU and ADF Cyber Gap Program students have gladly shared some great tips and tricks for acing your application, and here are some of our favourites:

“Be honest and be genuine. Tell them why you want to move into cyber or why you deserve the opportunity.”
Joe, Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security & ADF Cyber Gap Program 2021

“Do something now, get involved today. Be it small, through online short courses before you start your secondary education.”
Curt, Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security & ADF Cyber Gap Program 2021

“The application process is similar to a job application with a written component addressing certain scenarios. It’s worth putting the time and effort into the application and really considering your answers.”
Kath, Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security & ADF Cyber Gap Program 2021

Find more of our ADF CGP student application tips here.

We don’t know! Once the ADF CGP application is submitted, that’s it – we have no insight into what goes on from their side.

We’ve seen successful applicants with no IT history, and others with 20+ years in the field. The ADF CGP are looking for those with enthusiasm and passion for cyber security with the ability to adapt their current skills to the field.

We recommend everyone interested in the opportunity to apply – you can start with our simple form to find out how studying cyber security might look for you, or read more from our successful ADF CGP students and their selection experiences.

Sit tight! It’s entirely up to the ADF CGP, so we can’t provide any insight into your progress. Some applicants find out if they were successful after simply submitting their application, while others might go through the entire interview process. Early indications are that offers will begin to be made by the second week of December. 

If you’re interested in checking your application, please contact the ADF Cyber Gap Program directly at cybergap@apsc.gov.au or (02) 6120 8701.

We’re always here to help if you need support with starting study, course and subject selection or general study enquiries. Our course advisors and admissions team are ready and waiting to get the ball rolling.

You can fill out our simple form to find out more about starting study or credits available for industry certifications and previous study. You can also contact us directly at info@itmasters.edu.au or 1300 885 685.

Have an ADF CGP-related question? We can do our best to help you, but there are some things we don’t know. We aren’t affiliated with the ADF CGP, so our only information is from their website and previous intake experiences. If you’d like an update on your application or have a question that can’t be answered online, please contact the ADF Cyber Gap Program directly at cybergap@apsc.gov.au or (02) 6120 8701.

Remember, you can catch up on the experiences of some of our successful ADF CGP students here.

Sure can! You can live anywhere within Australia, but you do have to live here – you can’t live overseas.

There may be travel required for any in-person events throughout the year, but this will be confirmed by the ADF CGP.

Not at all. There’s no expectation or obligation to serve in the Defence Force at any stage before or after the program. There’s also no guarantee of employment at the end of the program, however, you’re encouraged to apply if you wish – or not!

You don’t have to quit your current job, either.