The Australian Defence College offers strategic study programs to middle ranking and senior officers, Australian Public Servant and Executive Level staff and officials employed in defence and national security.

We recognise that some candidates will be unable to attend a full 12 month program but would benefit from exposure to specific learning components of the courses. As such, both the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies and the Australian Command and Staff College offer a limited number of places for selected candidates to attend individual modules during the year.

The Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies

The Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS) hosts the senior course in Australia for military officers and Government officials engaged in national security issues. The CDSS is responsible for providing Australian and overseas participants with the knowledge and skills required to operate at the strategic level in a complex and modern security environment.

Opportunities arise throughout the year for senior officers, Executive Level staff and senior officials to participate in either a complete block of study, or in shorter components of the Defence and Strategic Studies course at the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies.

The Australian Command and Staff College

The Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC) offers courses designed to prepare selected career officers for command and staff appointments, and to develop selected Australian Public Servants and professionals working in roles in single Service, joint and integrated environments.

Where available, places on individual modules delivered by the Australian Command and Staff College are offered to the wider defence organisation, as well as other Government departments and agencies. The resolution of current defence skill or knowledge shortages will be given a higher priority than the preparation of nominees for future employment.