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About the Job
Ensuring the security of airbases and the safety of people is a crucial part of the Air Force. As Air Force Security (AFSEC), it will be your responsibility to support the provision of a secure and safe operating environment free of potential threats.
What you'll do:
As Air Force Security, you'll undertake a variety of critical security functions in support of air operations, including:
- Protective security - protection of personnel, physical assets, and classified information
- Emergency response for incidents and accidents, including aircraft and motor vehicle accidents
- Traffic and crowd control
- Detainee and prisoner of war handling
- Protective security surveys and reviews
- Security risk management and threat assessment
- Operational security planning
- Security governance, compliance and investigation
- Acting as the after-hours initial response contact for an airbase
Additionally, selected Air Force Security personnel who are trained in the use of military working dogs will be engaged to work with a dog to support security patrols, intruder detection and apprehension.
Training and Career progression
There is plenty of variety and room to progress in this role - how far you go is up to you. We'll train you from the ground up, teaching you everything you need to excel in your career during your Initial Employment Training (IET), with ongoing training as you progress.
Your Initial Employment Training will cover a range of areas, including:
- Airfield safety
- Weapon handling
- Management and responding of security/crimes incidents
- Security fundamentals
- Introduction to security governance
- Security patrolling within an airbase
- Emergency response procedures
- Communications
- Security administration
- Physical fitness
- Airbase and restricted access procedures
Once you have successfully completed this training, you’ll then be posted to a Security Forces Squadron to undertake further competency-based training in the workplace spanning 12-months.
Members will gain further development through on-the-job experience and may apply for additional specialist qualifications through Post Initial Employment Training (PIET). PIET training includes areas such as:
- Security Governance
- Investigation and Investigation Management
- Military Working Dog (MWD) Handling which may include Patrol Dogs or Explosive Detector Dogs
- Security Risk Management and Planning
- Emergency Management
As you gain skills and experience, you may have opportunities to diversify your security career, as this role is the pathway to apply for other security roles, including:
- Military Working Dog Handler
- Airfield Defence Guard
- Air Force Police
Military Working Dog Handler (MWDH)
You’ll undertake security tasks employing Military Working Dog (MWD) detection, sensing capability and challenging/apprehending intruders. This role may include working with both patrol dogs and explosive detector dogs. As you progress in your role, you will manage MWDs and provide advice to commanders on capabilities and partake in training roles.
Airfield Defence Guard (ADG)
You’ll be responsible for the security of aircraft, infrastructure, and personnel on bases across Australia and overseas. You’ll protect Air Force assets from ground attacks in both peacetime and on operations, handling weaponry and all-terrain vehicles in challenging and potentially hostile conditions.
Air Force Police (AFPOL)
You’ll be responsible for the detection and investigation of offences, as well as the prosecution of offenders, including policing patrols, responding to emergencies, and investigations into service offences on bases.
Additional Information
This is your opportunity to become a critical part of the Air Force with no shortage of exciting opportunities, world-class training, and career progression.
Not only will you become part of a close knit team, you will have the opportunity throughout your career to experience new places across Australia and potentially overseas.
In-service Information
In the Air Force this role is known as Air Force Security (AFSEC)..
Consider these exciting roles
Other Ranks - Non Technical
Join the ADF with appropriate high school passes
Key Information
Preparing for Your Recruitment Process
This document provides information that will assist applicants for roles in the Navy, Army and Air Force, including details about the recruitment process, how to prepare yourself for assessment, and what to expect if you are successful in joining the Australian Defence Force.
Other Requirements
It is suggested that those interested in joining Air Force Security in the Air Force and seek more information about this role contact Air Force Security Force Recruitment at SECFOR.RWFM@defence.gov.au A suitable Air Force member will respond within 7-14 working days and will be able to convey a more detailed explanation of this rewarding full or part-time security job.
Salary & Allowances
In the Air Force you'll get paid a good salary from day one regardless of your age, experience or qualifications; and your pay increases as you progress through training.
In addition to your salary you'll receive a variety of allowances, extra pay for relevant qualifications – plus 16.4% superannuation, a far higher rate than you're likely to find in the civilian world.
For more details download our
Salary Scales.
Locations
Once you have successfully completed the AFSEC initial employment training, you may receive a posting to either No. 1 Security Forces Squadron (1SECFORSQN) at RAAF Williamtown, Richmond, Williams or East Sale, No. 2 Security Forces Squadron (2SECFORSQN) at RAAF Amberley, Townsville, Darwin or Tindal or No. 3 Security Forces Squadron (3SECFORSQN) at RAAF Edinburgh or Pearce.
AFSEC may be deployed to Air Force or ADF Operational environments.
Requirements
Age
You can start your application at sixteen and a half years but you must be at least seventeen years on the day you join the Air Force.
The maximum age you can join is sixty years, minus the period of obligation. For example, if your obligation is four years you can join at fifty-six years.
Education & Experience
Applicants must have passes in Year 10 English and Maths.
If you do not satisfy the education requirements or do not possess evidence of your educational attainment, you may be eligible to sit an Alternative Education Equivalency assessment.
Medical & Fitness
You will be examined by a Medical Officer to ascertain your physical fitness for selection and entry. To be enlisted you must be medically and physically fit for entry to your chosen occupation. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
Physical fitness is very important for Air Force Security as they are required to possess the physical strength to ensure adequate control of a Military Working Dog (German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois breed) at all times. If you are selected, you will also be required to successfully pass the physical fitness assessment before enlistment to ensure that you meet the physically demanding conditions often encountered in the nature of Air Force Security duties.
For further details on medical and physical standards refer to 'Physical Fitness Standards for Entry into the ADF' and 'Medical Process for Entry into the ADF'.
Period of Service
Your initial obligation will be for four years. However, there is a grace period where you can choose to resign from the Air Force up until the time you become eligible to graduate from your initial employment training.
Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service.
Additional Requirements
At a minimum, candidates must hold a valid Australian State or Territory provisional/probationary C Class Drivers Licence upon enlistment/appointment. Applications will be accepted from candidates who are in the process of attaining their Drivers Licence.
Candidates with suspended or cancelled licences will not be eligible to join until the suspension or cancellation has been lifted or has expired. Additional license requirements may apply.
Aptitude
The Job Opportunities Assessment (JOA) is completed as part of the application process to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Some jobs may also require you to complete a further evaluation at a later date.
The JOA is used by Defence to establish suitability for ADF entry, and then identify jobs that best match your abilities.
Further information about the JOA can be found in the Guide to the Job Opportunities Assessment for the ADF.
To get a feel for the types of questions that are used in the Job Opportunities Assessment and how they will look on your screen some examples can be found in the Job Opportunities Assessment Example Questions.
Citizenship
To serve in the ADF you must be an Australian Citizen.
If you are a permanent resident of Australia, the ADF may consider a temporary deferral of the citizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who meets all the citizenship requirements, and then only in exceptional circumstances. You will be required to obtain Australian Citizenship as early as possible following enlistment or appointment.
Find out more in our Citizenship page or ask your local ADF Careers Centre.
Security Requirements
The Department of Defence requires ADF employees to have a security clearance appropriate to their employment.
A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and if required, interviews, enables the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability for a security clearance.
The minimum security clearance level required is Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1), and current policy requires applicants to have a checkable background for the previous 10 years.
This means applicants must provide credible referees (non-family members) who are able to provide information about the applicant covering an extended period of time. Required information for an NV1 includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Residence
- Employment
- Education
- Financial information
- Travel
Some ADF jobs may require a higher level of security clearance such as Negative Vetting Level 2 (NV2) or Positive Vetting (PV). Your individual circumstances will determine the number and complexity of the questions and the supporting documents required for these levels.
Australian Citizenship is a requirement for a security clearance and a clearance will only be granted to a non-citizen in exceptional circumstances.
The security clearance is critical to an applicant's successful progression through the recruiting process. It is strongly recommended that all applicants action the Security Clearance Package (ePack) and provide the required documentation without delay to provide the best opportunity to commence training and be employed in their preferred employment category.
For more detailed information on the security vetting process and specific clearance level requirements set by AGSVA, please refer to the AGSVA website.
Support will be provided by DFR during the initial application process.
Training
Military Training
Location: RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
Duration: 10 and a half weeks
Duration: 10 and a half weeks
During this training you will transition from civilian to Service life, acquiring the basic knowledge, skills and physical fitness required for your role; and learning to become an effective and productive member of the Air Force.
Follow the link to learn more about what to expect at the No.1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU).
Employment Training
All Air Force Security (AFSEC) trainees undergo AFSEC Initial Employment Training (IET) at the RAAF Security and Fire School (RAAFSFS), RAAF Base Amberley, QLD.
The aim of IET is to train personnel to be capable of performing the Air Force specific duties of an Air Force Security (AFSEC) member during routine activities through to increased security and ground operations. AFSEC contributes to a secure and safe operating environment that supports the generation, projection and sustainment of effective air power domestically and overseas.
The expected duration of AFSEC IET is approximately 50 days. Lessons and training will take place in the classroom, in the field and in domestic and operational areas. IET will comprise the following key training components:
- Weapons lesson instruction
- Field training
- Range practices
- Operational Safety Skills Training
- Physical security procedures
- Emergency response
- Initial action and management of incidents
- Security policy and legislation
- Security compliance
- Security Authorised Member of Defence Force
- Control of entry to ADF establishments and restricted areas
- Conduct of routine patrols
- Challenge and apprehension of intruders
Further Training
Air Force Security members may take further courses in areas such as:
- Aircraft Security Operations
- Close Personal Protection Operator
- Protective Security
- Investigation and Investigation Management
- Military Working Dog Handler (MWDH)
- Explosive Detector Dog Handler (EDDH)
- Security Risk Management and Planning
- Security Operations and Emergency Management