FAQ

Formerly the Defence Materials Technology Centre, DMTC Limited is a collaborative venture that drives advances in technology development and the creation of Australian manufacturing capability. DMTC projects target areas of Defence need/priority where an Australian industrial capability footprint exists, ensuring that developed technologies and capabilities have end-user applicability and a clear path to commercialisation, contributing to a more competitive Australian defence industry.

Our nationwide work spans technology themes and disciplines of interest to Defence and adjacent national security and health security agencies. We are a trusted intermediary that manages collaborative projects, delivers technology transfer programs and supports the development of the future workforce on behalf of, and at the interface of government, industry and the research sector in Australia.

Our model of collaboration allows organisations like Defence and its agencies, as well as the Department of Health and Dept of Home Affairs among others, to both strategically direct R&D activity but also to involve their own expert personnel in the delivery of projects alongside industry and research partners. Our expertise has also been used to conduct stakeholder research and inform policy development, particularly in areas like preparedness for Chem, Bio, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats.

DMTC funding comes from a number of sources including the Commonwealth Government, various State Governments and our industry and research partners.

DMTC comprises core corporate staff at our Melbourne headquarters and with staff in other States, and more than 400 people (mainly engineers and scientists) working in industry, research agencies and universities on projects.

DMTC exists to strengthen Australian industry capability and we encourage you to contact DMTC directly to discuss your ideas.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are a standardised numerical indicator system for the level of maturity of a technology. TRLs provide a common language to describe the status of a technology in development, ranging from the lowest level of TRL (identification of an idea or opportunity) through to TRL 9 (a fully tested product or system ready for production and/or commercial sale). DMTC projects require the TRL of the technology in question to be defined at the outset of project activity, tracked as a project advances and documented in the project closure statement. DMTC rigorously assesses TRLs in all of its project activities, including independent validation at key stages of each project. As a general guide, the bulk of DMTC’s activities are in the range from TRL 3 through to TRL 7 or 8.

Detailed guidelines, definitions and case studies are available from DMTC.

The DFCTC program was announced in the 2007 Defence and Industry Policy Statement. The program linked researchers with industry to generate research results and outcomes that can be readily transitioned into service in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) through commercialisation or building and enhancing defence industry capabilities.

DMTC was established in May 2008 as Australia’s first Defence Future Capability Technology Centre – a Federal Government initiative derived from the successful Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) model. With the completion of the DFCTC contract in June 2015, the DMTC has transitioned to a new business model and an expanded role as an industrial capability partner under the 2016 Defence Industry Policy Statement.

DMTC is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. It has an independent Board of Directors with a range of relevant skills. Members of the Board represent industry, research agencies and universities and are elected. The Board is responsible for ensuring that DMTC satisfies the requirements of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and that Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). It meets monthly to ensure current projects are progressing according to plan and to consider new project proposals.

DST Group, as the primary technology adviser to Defence, is a DMTC partner and is involved at two levels. At a strategic level, DSTG provides funding for programs of activity. At a working level, a number of DSTG researchers are directly involved in leading and contributing to DMTC projects.

DMTC has a strong focus on engaging SMEs in its research and development activities. The support DMTC provides to SMEs includes:

Yes. DMTC maintains a post-graduate and undergraduate education program, supporting postgraduate research, enhancing the skills of graduates and facilitating skills development among our industry and research partners.

DMTC partners retain ownership of the intellectual property they bring to a project. Subject to conditions including the level of contribution and agreed field of use, Partners receive licences to apply intellectual property developed in the DMTC projects in which they participate.