About the Day
The Defence Day brings together engineers and scientists working across the electromagnetic spectrum to share work in progress, surface common problems, and identify where capability and interest align. The intent is practical: to make visible the work that is already happening so that the right people can find each other. The day operates under classification constraints that allow a depth of technical discussion not possible in an unclassified setting.
The program will focus deliberately on operational case studies — “SDRs in action” — real deployments, real missions, real lessons learned. We are seeking talks from Defence units, allied-nation practitioners, primes, SMEs and university groups holding the appropriate clearances who can speak to what worked, what didn’t, what surprised the engineers in the field, and what the data actually said when an SDR-based system was put to operational use. Topics may include any classified application of software-defined radio — EW, signals intelligence, tactical communications, direction-finding, passive radar, counter-UAS, maritime surveillance, space-domain awareness, or sovereign-capability development — at any stage from prototype trial through to deployed system. Presentations and discussions will be further defined as the program is confirmed. Submissions are warmly invited from anyone with cleared experience to share; the value of the day will be in the candour of the case studies, not the polish of the slides.
Attendance Requirements
- Australian or equivalent International security clearance of minimum NV1
- Valid AGSVA CS ID (begins with CS) and clearance level
- Defence identity document — DCAC card preferred; other defence-issued photo ID accepted
- Email address — @defence.gov.au preferred, otherwise a current work email
- Security officer name provided at registration
- Applications reviewed and confirmed by the organiser before attendance is approved
Travel to the Facility
The Defence Day is held at a secure facility separate from the main conference venue at Festival Tower. Transport arrangements will be provided closer to the date.
- Chartered bus departing from Festival Tower — departure time to be confirmed
- Private vehicles are permitted — parking and gate access instructions provided on approval
- Public transport and rideshare drop-off: facility address provided to approved attendees only
Application to Attend
To apply, email jeremy.hamlyn2@defence.gov.au with the following information. Applications are reviewed manually — you will receive confirmation to the email address you provide once approved.
Applications close Friday 4 September 2026.
- CS ID — your AGSVA security clearance ID, begins with CS
- Clearance Level — your current clearance level
- Email Address — use your @defence.gov.au address if you have one, otherwise your work email
- First Name
- Last Name
- Phone Number
- Security Officer Name
- Security Officer Contact — defence email or phone number
- DCAC Card — do you hold a current Defence Common Access Card? (Yes, I hold a current DCAC card / No — if you do not have a DCAC then you will need to present a passport or government ID. Please provide a copy of the ID you will use)