Australian Defence Forces

The Australian Defence Forces is comprised of the Navy, the Army, the Air Force and the Defence Reserves. Defence Force Jobs has all the information you need to know about:

  • Eligibility for the ADF as a young person and later in your life and career
  • The benefits
  • The lifestyle
  • How to apply
  • Diversity programs

Eligibility

To be eligible for the ADF you must:

  • Be an Australian citizen
  • Be at least 16 years of age before you can apply
  • Be at least 17 years of age before you can commence your service
  • Meet security clearance requirements
  • Have passed Year 10 English and Maths (minimum)
  • Have any licences that may be needed
  • Be fit and healthy

For more information on these requirements see .

Methods of Entry

General Entry

  • ADF Gap Year entry

    Young people aged 18-24 with a Year 12 education can apply for a 12-month Gap Year role in the Army, Navy or Air Force. For more information see .

  • General – Non-Technical

    These job roles are in a variety of areas such as:

    • Administration
    • Communications
    • Logistics
    • Hospitality
    • Air and ground crew, and more

    Minimum education is completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) with passes in English and Maths. Some roles may require Year 10 Science as well, or Year 11 or equivalent.

  • General – Technical and Trade Apprenticeships

    You can apply for more hands-on job roles where you get paid while you compete technical trade training become qualified. Jobs are in the areas such as:

    • Aviation
    • Mechanical
    • Electrical
    • Construction trades
    • Communications, and more

    The minimum education is Year 10 with passes in English, Maths, a Science subject and one other subject. Some job roles may also require Physics.

  • General – Qualified

    If you have a trade or professional qualification, you can apply for ADF roles that are related to your qualifications.

Officer Entry

  • Officer

    You can train to be an officer in the ADF with or without undertaking a university degree. The minimum requirement is Year 12 education. Officer training is undertaken at:

    • The Royal Military College (Army Officer training)
    • The Royal Australian Naval College (Navy Officer training)
    • The RAAF Officers’ Training School

Tertiary Entry

  • Officer - Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)

    This involves getting a degree from the ADFA campus of the University of New South Wales. ADFA recruits are paid to do military training while studying for their degree.

  • Officer – Graduate

    If you have a university degree in study areas such as:

    • Medicine
    • Law
    • Dentistry
    • Nursing
    • Engineering
    • Business
    • IT

    Officer and general Entry roles are available to applicants with other degrees.

  • The Tertiary Aviation Reimbursement Scheme (TARS) supports women or Indigenous Australians who have competed a Bachelor degree in Aviation to join the Air Force and have academic costs reimbursed.
  • The Graduate Medical Program sponsors applicants wanting to serve as a Medical Officer who have:
    • Competed a relevant undergraduate degree
    • Passed the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
    • Have been offered a place in a Graduate Medicine program
  • The Defence University Scholarship is for people already studying a degree at a public university. If you are studying a relevant degree and are interested joining the ADF, you may be eligible for a scholarship to assist you with textbooks, HELP fees and more and be guaranteed a job in your chosen service.

Reserves

You can even work part-time in the ADF by joining the Reserves. Reserve job roles are diverse. Some require a minimum of Year 10 education with passes in English and Maths. For others a degree in a specific area may be required. For more information see .

To find out how to apply see .