Administration Assistant - ADF Gap Year
As an Administration Assistant, you'll take on a wide range of important organisational duties to support Air Force members as well as the wider ADF. There are many areas in which you could work such as personnel management, personnel operations, air and ground operations, resource and knowledge management, and communication effects. Plus, you'll have plenty of opportunities to discover which of these areas you really enjoy in this 12-month Gap Year experience.
What you'll do
You’ll generally work in well-equipped offices and be the first point of contact for Air Force members seeking administrative advice and information. You’ll use the ADF’s computerised human resource programs along with other office-based technology. Not all your time will be spent in the office – you may be given the opportunity to live and work under field conditions when participating in military exercises.
Your duties may include:
- people management – assist members and commanders with the interpretation of policies and processing of applications to ensure members and commanders are fully informed of their responsibilities
- personnel operations – exercise and operations planning to identify the best staff to fill required positions for deployment and field exercises
- air and ground operations – work with squadron executives, flying crew, maintenance staff and base services on the coordination of unit operations
- resource and knowledge management – deliver the coordination, management, performance and governance of the Air Force’s financial, human and knowledge resources
- communication effects – draft and distribute communication messages for internal and external channels (including website content and social media platforms).
After finishing your Gap Year program, you can choose to continue your full-time career in the Air Force or change to a part-time role in the Air Force Reserve.
There is no obligation to serve in the ADF beyond the 12-month Gap Year program period. You can take your new skills and experiences to gain an edge in future careers outside the ADF.
Following training, you may be posted to any Air Force base, including operational air bases such as:
- RAAF Base Amberley or Townsville, Qld
- RAAF Base Darwin or Tindal, NT
- RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
- RAAF Base Richmond or Williamtown, NSW.
Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Having done Gap Year, I now know the ADF is for me.
Requirements and training
You need to be an Australian citizen to be eligible for the ADF Gap Year program.
You must be aged between 17 and 24 years of age at the time of your enlistment or appointment. You must also be 18 years of age by the graduation date of your Initial Military Training.
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 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 before appointment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Shuttle Run Score: 5.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- 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.
Your Gap Year experience will commence at the start of the year and will conclude 12 months later. Subsequent periods of service in the Regular or Reserve ADF may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may request discharge at any time by providing 21 days’ notice.
If you are currently or have previously served in the ADF or foreign service, you’re not eligible for Gap Year. You must be an Australian Citizen to be eligible for the Gap Year Program.
Course: Air Force Recruit Course
Duration: 11 weeks
Location: RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
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.
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: Basic Personnel Capability Specialist Initial Employment Training (PCS IET)
Duration: 5 weeks (minimum)
Location: RAAF School of Administration and Logistics Training (RAAFSALT), RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
This course is delivered using a flexible learning model and consists of theory and practical instruction in basic clerical functions, including:
- operating information technology systems
- operating human resource systems
- maintaining organisational business systems
- retrieving and interpreting workplace information.
Once you’ve completed your Initial Employment Training (IET), you’ll perform duties in the Administration Assistant role for approximately 7 months at any of the air bases to consolidate your training.