Army
Full Time

Aviation Groundcrew

Full Time
In-service title: Groundcrewman Aircraft Support

As an Aviation Groundcrew member, you’ll be involved in the provision of aircraft fuel and explosive ordnance. You’ll also be responsible for other ground support services necessary for the preparation and continued support of Army Aviation aircraft operations.

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Aviation Groundcrew preparing a helicopter for take off.

What you'll do

You’ll directly contribute to maintaining Army’s aerial mobility and reconnaissance by keeping Aviation platforms in the air. Aviation provides mobility for soldiers and equipment in the battle zone, as well as conducting specialist armed reconnaissance, firepower support and surveillance, in combined, joint or interagency environments. You’ll help in the conduct of Forward Arming and Refuelling Point (FARP) equipment and associated vehicles, keeping Army’s Aviation platforms mission ready.

Army Aviation operate the CH-47F Chinook, AH-64E Apache, UH-60M Black Hawk Utility, and commercial helicopters.

Your duties may include:

  • prepare explosive ordnance for loading to aircraft weapon systems
  • load, unload and replenish aircraft weapon sub systems with Explosive Ordnance
  • perform fault diagnosis on aircraft weapon sub systems
  • perform fuelling tasks on multiple aircraft types:
    • cold refuel aircraft fuel systems
    • defuel aircraft fuel systems
    • hot refuel aircraft
    • warm refuel aircraft.
  • drive and operate and maintain:
    • bulk fuel vehicles
    • medium vehicles and trailers
    • specialist aviation explosive ordnance transport and loading vehicles
  • marshal fixed and rotary wing aircraft

Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Army will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training to strengthen your skillset. This will help you to command and run a highly skilled team of soldiers and the employment of their equipment.

Following training, you could be employed in Army Aviation at:

  • Brisbane, Qld
  • Oakey, Qld
  • Townsville, Qld
  • Darwin, NT
  • Sydney, NSW

You may also be employed onboard navy ships part of an Army detachment.

Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map. 

Requirements and training

About entry methods
No experience required
General Entry: Non-technical
Requirements
Citizenship

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.

Age

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.

Licences

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.

Security requirements

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.

Education and experience

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.

Health and fitness

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
  • Push-ups: 4
  • Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.

Male

  • Sit-ups (feet held): 20
  • Push-ups: 8
  • Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.

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.

Period of service

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.

Training
Military training

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.

Employment training

Course: Driver Training Course 
Duration: 60 days
Location: Road Transport Wing, Army Logistic Training Centre, Puckapunyal, Vic

You’ll earn a Medium Rigid Truck (40M) and Heavy Rigid Truck (HX77) qualification.

Course: Forward Arming and Refuelling Point Operator Course
Duration: 88 days
Location: Oakey, Qld

This course incorporates all aspects of driving, aircraft refuelling and arming operation both in the barracks and field environment. On completion of this training, you’ll be entitled to Pay Grade 4.

 
Further training

As part of your career development and trade proficiency requirements, you’ll attend the following courses throughout your career:

  • Helicopter Forward Arming and Refuelling Point Operator and Team Leader courses
  • Fuel Quality Control course
  • Explosive Ordinance Supervisor course
  • Air Portability Team Leader course
  • Destruction of Malfunctioned Explosive Ordinance course.

After 18 months experience within your trade, you may elect to trade transfer to Aviation Aircrewman Loadmaster, provided you meet all the pre-requisites.