Electrician
As an Electrician, you’ll apply your trade skills on Army bases and out in the field while on deployment to neighbouring countries in the Pacific. As a soldier in the Army, you’ll also perform military duties, serving the nation at home and on deployment overseas.
What you'll do
You’ll be responsible for performing advanced electrical and general building tasks associated with the construction, repair and maintenance of various military structures. Plus, you’ll provide engineering services including field power generation and wiring systems.
Your duties may include:
- assisting in site preparation
- interpreting Government sponsored building standards, codes and regulations
- assisting in planning for building tasks
- maintaining tools and equipment
- conducting site inspections for minor construction tasks
- assisting in site set-out
- providing workplace training for non-skilled labourers
- providing detailed site sketches
- interpreting plans, specifications and drawings
- providing electrical/construction support during exercises/operations.
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.
Your trade training is fully accredited and transferrable to similar civilian roles, providing a broader scope for your future employment with excellent long-term career prospects.
Following training, electricians are mainly employed in Combat Engineer Regiments and Construction Squadrons located at:
- Brisbane, Qld
- Darwin, NT
- Townsville, Qld.
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.
You’ll need an Electrical Workers Licence, Licenced Electrical Mechanic or similar. A Current A Grade Electrical Mechanic Licence or an Electrical Workers Licence is desirable. You don’t need a standard Australian 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.
You’ll need to have completed Australian Year 9 education (or equivalent) with passes in English and Maths. You’ll also need to have completed an approved apprenticeship or an approved traineeship at a recognised training institution, plus any period of full-time employment stipulated for the trade.
Suitable trade qualifications include:
- UEE30811 Certificate III in Electro-technology Electrician or similar.
However, it is mandatory you also possess an Electrical Workers Licence, Licenced Electrical Mechanic or similar. A Current A Grade Electrical Mechanic Licence or an Electrical Workers Licence is desirable.
You must also have the following essential criteria:
- demonstrated competency in the trade, with a minimum of 3 years of continuous, recent employment. Applicant needs to have current references displaying the type of work that they are currently carrying out
- demonstrated ability to work in a variety of trade environments being, Domestic, Semi-Industrial and / or Underground Services
- proof of employment (3 x referees - which will need to include your last employer).
You may also have the following desirable criteria:
- possession of a Qualified Supervisors Certificate
- demonstrated aerial and / or underground lines experience
- demonstrated ability to work in an isolated area.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning/Recognition of Current Competencies process should be completed prior to a Letter of Offer (LOO) being sent. The LOO will detail any competency gap training required to be qualified. This gap training will be undertaken as part of your initial trade training.
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.
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: 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: Military Engineering
Duration: 25 days (not including weekends)
Location: School of Military Engineering, Holsworthy, NSW
This course will provide you with the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours to utilise basic military engineering skills under operational conditions. You’ll also learn valuable skills in humanitarian aid disaster relief and high-threat weather responses.
Training includes:
- basic combat communications course
- construction induction training (white card) accreditation
- working at heights certification
- chainsaw operator (basic) and basic tree felling certification
- basic tools (hand / power tools, small engine driven equipment)
- basic military engineering
- Army Combatives Program LVL2.
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 54 years.
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.
Entry to this trade is open to qualified, partially qualified and non-qualified applicants. You should present your trade paperwork at the recruiting interview to ensure the Recognition of Prior Learning/Recognition of Current Competencies process is complete prior to entry. The recognition process cannot be commenced after enlistment.
For Trainee Entry: Completion of Australian Year 10 (or equivalent) education required with passes in English, Maths, Science (with a Physics component) and one other subject preferably with an Industrial Arts content.
Note: Consumer Maths, Maths in Society and similarly 'modified' maths are not suitable subjects for entry to the Army Technical and Trade Scheme.
These entry qualifications are the minimum required to ensure you understand the engineering principles covered in later training phases. If you have not achieved the appropriate passes for this role, an education assessment can be conducted to determine your eligibility. Employment history and other qualifications will be considered. Speak to your Careers Coach to discuss your options.
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.
You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 6 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: 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: Military Engineering
Duration: 25 days (not including weekends)
Location: School of Military Engineering, Holsworthy, NSW
This course will provide you with the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours to utilise basic military engineering skills under operational conditions. You’ll also learn valuable skills in humanitarian aid disaster relief and high-threat weather responses.
Training includes:
- basic combat communications course
- construction induction training (white card) accreditation
- working at heights certification
- chainsaw operator (basic) and basic tree felling certification
- basic tools (hand / power tools, small engine driven equipment)
- basic military engineering
- Army Combatives Program LVL 2.
Course: ADF Electrician Initial Trade Training
Duration: 16 months
Location: Army School of Electrical Mechanical Engineering, Bandiana, Vic
This is followed by 24-36 months of on-the-job experience at the School of Military Engineering at Holsworthy, Sydney, NSW. During this time, you’ll be employed with a civil contractor to give you the trade experience needed to complete competency requirements and qualify as a licenced electrician.
Once you’ve completed this training, you’ll receive training in Field Power Generation prior to employment within a field unit.
Note: Course duration may vary depending on public holidays and other Army requirements.