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.

For this role, you’ll need an Australian state or territory full, provisional or probationary C Class licence. If your licence is suspended or cancelled, you won’t be eligible until that suspension or cancellation has been lifted or has expired.

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 Year 10 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): 20
• Shuttle Run Score: 5.1.

Male

• Sit-ups (feet held): 20
• Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.

Medical Fitness Requirements
You'll have to be both mentally and physically fit to train as a Cabin Crew member. The physical demands of the job can be high at times, with manual handling of baggage and catering in unsupported and remote locations.

Weight and height
Cabin Crew members must be at least 152cm tall and cannot be more than 183cm tall, with a Body Mass Index of between 18.5 and 32.9.

Swim test
For this role you will be required to pass the Air Force Swimming Proficiency Test (AFSPT) before completing Aircrew Combat Survival Evade Resist Escape (SERE) Course. This assessment will be conducted in your first couple of weeks after recruit training. The AFSPT requires you to:

• swim 200 metres, split into 150 metres breaststroke, sidestroke, freestyle method or a combination of all, plus 50 metres on your back with or without the use of arms
• enter the pool in a controlled manner, keeping your head above the water, then submerge your entire body and swim 15 metres underwater. Upon completion of the underwater swim, you’ll need to approach and right an overturned craft device and climb in/onto it
• retrieve a 5kg weight from a depth of at least 2 metres
• tread water for 10 minutes.

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.

You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 4 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who 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: Air Force Recruit Course
Duration: 11 weeks
Location: RAAF Base Wagga, NSW

During this training, you'll 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.

The major elements of the course include:

• personal development and teamwork
• parade drill
• weapon handling and firing
• airfield defence
• fire fighting
• physical fitness
• Air Force history, customs and traditions
• military law.

After graduation, you'll undertake Initial Employment Training (IET) in your trade or category.

Course: Air Mobility Group Enlisted Aircrew Initial Course
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Air Mobility Training and Development Unit Training Flight, RAAF Base Amberley, Qld

This course will provide you with general knowledge in aeronautical and aviation principles, basic aircraft systems, aviation safety, aviation related documentation, procedures and meteorology.

Course: Non-Pilot Initial Course
Duration: 1 week
Location: Institute of Aviation Medicine, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA

This course will prepare you for the physiological effects of flying through theory and practical exposure using a hypobaric chamber.

Course: Aircrew Survival Evade Resist Escape (SERE) Course
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Combat Survival Training School, RAAF Townsville, Qld

This course:

• trains aircrew who may be forced down or separated from friendly forces in a combat environment
• teaches evasion, resistance to interrogation, indoctrination and exploitation, and escape
• involves practical exercises conducted in the sea and along the coast, and in arid and jungle environments
• includes a swimming component
• culminates in an evasion and capture scenario.

Course: Non-technical Skills and Risk Management
Duration: 3 days
Location: RAAF Amberley, Qld

These 2 courses will provide you with the fundamental skills of assessing risk in the Aviation environment as well as operating effectively as a part of a crew in the Aviation environment.

Course: Centre of Service Excellence (COSE)
Duration: 4 days
Location: Mascot, Sydney, NSW

This course provides training in:

• handling difficult situations
• cultural awareness and protocol
• work health and safety/manual handling
• economy, business and first service standards.

Course: Crew Attendant Basic Course
Duration: 10 days
Location: Mascot, NSW

Topics covered:

• general service knowledge
• wine education
• Responsible Service of Alcohol
• airfield ground safety
• cabin crew duties responsibilities
• cabin crew emergency procedures
• aircraft safety equipment
• in-flight drills and emergencies.

Course: Crew Attendant Aircraft Conversion
Duration: 2 days
Location: Mascot, NSW

Topics covered:

• cabin crew emergency procedures
• aircraft safety equipment
• in-flight drills and emergencies
• aircraft specifications
• pre, during and post-flight checks and procedures
• in-flight service and flight documentation
• publication interpretation.

After the ground phase is complete, you’ll consolidate your training by conducting a flying phase, which takes anywhere between 4 and 16 weeks to complete. Crew Attendants will also be required to complete a 3-day pistol qualification course.

You’ll be given clear routes for career advancement and promotion, along with opportunities for further training, such as:

• Dangerous Goods Packaging and Acceptance Training
• Aircrew Instructional Technique and Workplace Assessor Training.

On completion of an initial flying tour, dependant on organisational requirements, you have opportunities to be posted to another flying role or designated ground position to develop further skills and broaden your experience as Cabin Crew.