Artillery Soldier
As an Artillery Soldier, you’ll be in the heart of the action, part of the team that operates at the forefront of Australia’s protection and safety.
As you progress through training, you'll be streamed into one of 4 specialist roles.
- Artillery Observer
- Artillery Operator
- Artillery Command Systems Operator
- Air Defence Operator
Allocation to a specific role is not guaranteed. It's based on your preference, performance and availability of positions.
What you'll do
You’ll be part of the team that are the eyes and ears of the battlefield, providing artillery fire, systematic surveillance and accurate target acquisition. Your training will be tailored to your specialisation, allowing you to master some of the worlds most advanced weapon systems, cutting-edge communications, and surveillance technologies. No matter the role, you'll play a vital part in ensuring Australia’s defence capability and success in long range combat.
Your duties may include employing powerful weaponry, information technology and surveillance equipment such as the:
- M777 Howitzer
- National Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS)
- Battlefield Management Systems
- Digital Terminal Control System
- Radar systems.
You’ll be provided with the skills to advance in one of 4 roles.
- Artillery Observer – Be the eyes and the ears of the battlefield. Use high-tech equipment to locate enemy targets and gather battlespace intelligence.
- Artillery Operator – Be part of the team that sets up, aims and fires one of the Army’s most powerful weapons.
- Artillery Command Systems Operator – Use advanced information technology to produce and communicate firing solutions for artillery and other available firepower.
- Air Defence Operator – Use sophisticated radar systems to identify and analyse potential threats, then employ surface-to-air missile systems to destroy them.
You'll be streamed into a specialist role as you progress through training. Allocation to a specific role is not guaranteed. It's based on your preference, existing qualifications, performance and availability of positions.
Whichever role you take on, you'll build a unique skillset and work with various units across the ADF. This is a hands-on role where trusting and respecting your team is key. You’ll leverage your existing spatial awareness and interpersonal skills and grow in confidence as you develop. If you’re seeking a challenge outside of the everyday, this role is for you.
Following training, you could be posted to one of the Artillery Regiments located in:
- Adelaide, SA
- Brisbane, Qld
- Darwin, NT
- Puckapunyal, Vic
- Townsville, Qld.
Subsequent postings are based upon the service need, career development needs and individual preferences.
You may also deploy overseas on operations during your career and will conduct military exercises throughout Australia and oversees.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 56 years (males) and 58 years (females).
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education required with passes in English and Maths. If you haven't completed Year 10 but are interested in joining, the ADF may be able to support your application.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 45
- Push-ups: 8
- Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 45
- Push-ups: 15
- Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
Females will be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 2 years. Males will be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 4 years however this will be reduced to 2 years if allocated to Air Defence Operator. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. Your Careers Coach can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Course: Army Recruit Course
Duration: 13 weeks
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW
During training, you'll take part in physical training, weapon handling, and shooting, first aid, drill, and field craft. You'll be challenged both mentally and physically.
Although it can be demanding, most recruits gain a sense of achievement, purpose, and confidence during basic training, and on completion of the course feel justifiably proud of what they have accomplished. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
Key components of the course include:
- Physical Fitness: Structured training to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness, preparing you for the physical demands of Army life.
- Field Craft: Learn how to live and operate in field conditions, including camouflage, movement techniques, and working in outdoor environments.
- Weapons Handling and Marksmanship: Safe handling, maintenance, and use of Army-issued weapons, and participating in live-fire exercises.
- Drill and Discipline: Develop attention to detail, teamwork and discipline through parade drill and military routine.
- First Aid and Battlefield Casualty Care: Gain essential life-saving skills and learn how to respond to injuries in both training and operational environments.
- Military Skills and Knowledge: Introduction to Army structure, values, customs, and basic soldier responsibilities.
- Resilience and Teamwork: Build mental resilience and learn to work effectively within a team in high-pressure situations.
On successful completion of the Army Recruit Course, you’ll participate in a Graduation Parade and have the opportunity to invite family and friends to view the parade. You’ll then move on to your Initial Employment Training (IET), where you’ll learn the specific skills required for your chosen role.
Course: Basic Combat Communications Course
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn to set up, operate and maintain communications equipment and radios including basic high frequency combat and digital communication equipment.
Course: Specialist Combat Communications Course
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn to set up, operate and maintain specialised communications equipment and radios.
Course: Royal Australian Artillery Common Induction Training
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
On completion of these course, you'll go on to complete one of the specialisation courses where you will learn how to use small arms weapons systems, pyrotechnics and other combative equipment and techniques.
Specialisation: Artillery Observer
Course: Forward Observer Course
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You'll learn to operate in a small team, to find targets, and then destroy them by calling in fire support assets. You'll also learn to use advanced sensors systems and advanced communication systems.
Specialisation: Artillery Operator
Course: Gunner Grade 1 Course
Duration: 6 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn to operate the M777 155mm Howitzer weapon platform and sub-systems to fire in support of Australian Soldiers.
Specialisation: Artillery Command Systems Operator
Course: Artillery Command Systems Operator Basic Course
Duration: 8 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn to set up, operate and maintain communications equipment, Battle Management Systems and sub systems that enables firepower to be employed against targets.
Specialisation: Air Defence Operator
Course: Operator Ground Based Air Defence Course
Duration: 7 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn to operate encrypted systems to receive a radar picture, identify hostile aircraft and operate the RBS70 surface-to-air-missile launcher.
Course: Operator Sense Warn and Locate Course
Duration: 7 weeks
Location: School of Artillery, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll learn to identify rockets, artillery and mortars using radar systems. This includes qualification in the Giraffe Agile Multi Beam (GAMB) Radar, Lightweight Multi Mission Radar (LMMR), network routers (C-NET) and wireless warning systems (WAVES).
Once you've completed your specialised training, you’ll be assigned to an Army unit and your career as a soldier will begin. Throughout your career, you’ll also develop your skills with specialist training.