The Centre for Advanced Defence Research and Enterprise - Operating in Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear Environments (CADRE-OCE) is an initiative designed to develop novel innovative technologies that counter new and emerging chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats, and may have dual-use applications. In addition, the Centre is focused on fostering collaborations between partners.
CADRE-OCE will support its research and industry partners to undertake leading-edge science and technology research, provide interdisciplinary training of the next generation of engineers and scientists, and support research translation and the development of innovative technologies.
The program is aligned with the Australian Defence Operating in Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Environments (OCE) Science, Technology and Research (STaR) Shot – one of six missions helping focus strategic research on key defence challenges. CADRE-OCE has an initial focus on advancing two scalable, high-impact system-level innovation programs: the Human Integrated Sensor System (HISS) and the Active Collaborative CBRN Environment Sense and Sense-making System (ACCESSS).
Our vision
Innovate
By creating an inclusive research environment to support the largest CBRN research and development community of practice in Australia that will drive the development of innovative dual-use technologies.
Train
By establishing a unique CADRE-OCE Academy to nurture the next generation of industry ready engineers and scientists with the capability to develop, support and translate technologies for operating in CBRN environments.
Accelerate
By providing a nationally coordinated and tailored start-up accelerator program maximising defence-university-industry collaboration to create a supportive environment and clearer commercialisation pathways for research translation and implementation.
Delivering impact
The CADRE-OCE Innovate + Train = Accelerate model will:
- Enhance sovereign capabilities in Australia by training a new generation of engineers and scientists with industry and Defence-ready skillsets
- Strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Australia with entrepreneurial and innovation programs that create a growing pipeline of Defence-specific or dual-purpose products, solutions and processes for uptake by Defence and civilian markets
- Expand and strengthen sovereign manufacturing and build supply chain resilience by bringing together Prime and non-Prime partners to translate and commercialise new dual-use technologies.
Our team
The core CADRE-OCE team is comprised of representatives from each of our founding university partners. Bringing together a depth and breadth of skills and expertise across science, technology and innovation, our collaborative model allows us the flexibility to draw on individual strengths, wider communities of practice and create cross-functional teams to achieve specific outcomes.
Our Steering Committee will guide the strategic direction of CADRE-OCE and approve projects to be funded by Defence, while the Technical Advisory Committee will provide technical emphasis and direction.
Partners
CADRE-OCE works with a vast and growing network of academic and industry capability partners.
CADRE-OCE is a collaboration between the Department of Defence, academia and industry with four founding partners: the University of Melbourne, the University of Adelaide, Queensland University of Technology, and the University of New South Wales.
We are guided by the principle ‘first among equals’, drawing equally from the expertise of our trusted research and industry partners. We strive to be inclusive as we build a network of industry and academic collaborators across Australia who can work alongside CADRE-OCE to catalyse innovation, advance research and development and produce dual-use technologies that protect our nation against CBRN threats.
As first among equals, the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) is also a partner of CADRE-OCE. DSTG works closely with universities and the national science and technology ecosystem to deliver technology-based solutions to Defence, engaging with the Australian Defence Science and Universities Network (ADSUN).
ADSUN is the collective of the state-sponsored Defence research and innovation networks:
- Defence Science Institute (Victoria and Tasmania)
- Defence Innovation Partnership (South Australia)
- Defence Innovation Network (New South Wales)
- Defence Science Centre (Western Australia)
- Defence Science Alliance (Queensland)
Get in touch
For information, including how to work with us, please get in touch.
Image: Department of Defence