THE SIR LAWRENCE WACKETT DEFENCE & AEROSPACE CENTRE, AT RMIT UNIVERSITY, SUPPORTS THE TRANSFORMATION AND GROWTH OF AUSTRALIA’S DEFENCE, AEROSPACE, AND TRANSPORT SYSTEMS INDUSTRIES. WE WORK WITH ORGANISATIONS TO BUILD GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIES BY DELIVERING TRUSTED TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, AND WORKFORCE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.
We have expertise in every stage of product development from concept, design and testing, to policy, and implementation. Through our commitment to industry best practice, transdisciplinary collaboration and cross-sector partnerships, we support the growth of Australia’s high-tech economy by the Defence, Aerospace and Transport Systems industries.
The calibre and diversity of this expertise attracts researchers and students from around the world who undertake fellowships, postgraduate studies and internships with the Centre. We welcome postgraduate research candidates from diverse disciplines.
Our broad capability makes us the partner of choice for a wide range of government, industry organisations and other research institutions.
Email us with any queries and to explore opportunities to partner with RMIT.
Find out everything SLWDAC got up to in 2020-2021. Download our annual report below.
Download the SLWDAC Annual Report for 2019.
RMIT has been a partner of Australia’s defence sector for 100 years. The Working Man’s College provided vocational training for more than 1,500 returned servicemen between 1917-1919.
RMIT contributed to the war effort between 1939 -1945 training more than 20,000 servicemen and women in communications and 2,000 in munitions production. It was partly due to RMIT’s service to defence that saw Queen Elizabeth II award royal patronage to RMIT in 1954.
The Centre honours Sir Lawrence James Wackett, a celebrated Australian aviation pioneer.
Watch the highlights of the first 5-day program in January 2023.
TAS DCRC and SmartSat CRC in association with SLWDAC at RMIT invites Australian companies to enter the High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) Challenge. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to our national capability.
SLWDAC-RMIT University has been named a finalist for the Academic Institution of the Year Award.
Academic Institution of the Year, RMIT University
Scientist of the Year Abdulghani Mohamed, RMIT University
Scientist of the Year Professor Roberto Sabatini, RMIT University
RMIT University was named a finalist for the Academic Institution of the Year Award.
Sir Lawrence Wackett Aerospace and Defence Centre Director Michelle Gee plus Professors Abdulghani Mohamed and Roberto Sabatini were named finalists for the Academic of the Year Award.
Professor Abdulghani Mohamed and A/Professor Fabio Zambetta were named finalists for the Scientist of the Year Award.
RMIT University was named a finalist for the Defence Connect Academic Institution of the Year Award 2020
Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre Director Michelle Gee and Professor Roberto Sabatini were named as finalists for the Defence Connect Academic of the Year Award 2020
Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre Deputy Director Roberto Sabatini was named a finalist for the Defence Connect Academic of the Year Award 2020 and Scientist of the Year Award 2020
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.