Air Intelligence Officer
As an Air Intelligence Officer, you’ll play an important role in operational mission planning and execution from start to finish, ensuring the right intelligence gets to the right people, in the right format at the right time.
You’ll lead, manage and develop intelligence teams and capabilities in single service, joint, combined and whole-of-government environments. You’ll also deliver specialist intelligence analysis across the air, cyber, land, maritime and space domains.
What you'll do
Working in an Air Force squadron or posted to a national intelligence agency, you’ll conduct a range of activities to provide Air Force and the wider ADF with actionable intelligence. You’ll get to exercise your excellent analytical and communication skills, preparing and presenting intelligence briefs, conducting debriefs, and providing advice to squadron members and commanders.
You may lead teams of intelligence analysts and could be employed in a number of other intelligence roles such as training management, instructing and capability development. Your contribution to flying operations could also see you accompany aircrew on some missions.
Your duties may include:
- leading intelligence teams across various specialist fields, including surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare and signals intelligence, target intelligence, space intelligence, counterintelligence, cyber intelligence, and tactical level mission intelligence
- delivering operational level air intelligence in support of Air Force and ADF activities and operations
- analysing large volumes of information
- producing intelligence assessments on foreign military aircraft, radars, weapon systems, tactics and intentions
- developing strategic level assessments to inform Air Force decision-making
- managing intelligence collection
- managing and developing intelligence policies and procedures.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, the Air Force will provide you with leadership, management and communications training to develop your ability to effectively manage your teams. You’ll also be provided with training opportunities to further develop your role-related skills. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and enable you to become an influential leader in the Air Force.
As an officer in the Air Force, you may also undertake a posting to an Any Officer role during your career, such as instructor/training roles and staff officer roles. This experience helps you broaden your skill set and prepare for more senior roles.
On graduating from Initial Employment Training (IET), you may be posted to:
- No. 83SQN, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
- No. 87SQN Headquarters, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
- No. 87SQN Tactical Intelligence Flights located at:
- RAAF Base Amberley, Qld
- RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
- RAAF Base Richmond or Williamtown, NSW
- RAAF Base Tindal or Darwin, NT
- No. 460SQN, Canberra, ACT
- Headquarters Air Command - Air and Space Operations Centre, Bungendore, NSW
- Headquarters Air Command - RAAF Glenbrook, NSW
- Headquarters Joint Operations Command, Bungendore, NSW.
In time, you may be posted to:
- No. 10SQN, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
- No. 88SQN, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW
- Air Force Headquarters, Canberra, ACT
- Air Warfare School, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW
- Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), ACT
- Defence Force School of Signals - Electronic Warfare Wing (DFSS - EW), Cabarlah, Qld
- Defence Intelligence Organisation, ACT
- Defence School of Intelligence (DSI), Canungra, Qld
- Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA.
You can anticipate posting in and out of Canberra and/or Bungendore, NSW during your career due to the large number of positions that exist within the area. Movement in and out of the Adelaide region is also likely.
Overseas postings, typically to the United States, are possible but limited and highly competitive.
Discover where the Air Force 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 don’t need a driver’s licence for entry to ADFA, but this role requires you to attain your driver's licence while at ADFA, in your own time and at your own expense. If you already have an Australian state or territory full, provisional or probationary C Class licence, it can't be suspended or cancelled. 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.
To be eligible for admission to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) at ADFA, you’ll need to have completed Year 12 with passes in English and 3 other Board of Secondary School Studies registered (or state equivalent) subjects and obtained an entrance rank high enough to qualify for entry into the relevant degree program. You can choose to study any degree offered at ADFA by the UNSW, except for a 4-year engineering degree.
Note: As well as applying to the Air Force for entry, you’ll also need to apply to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for entry to the University of New South Wales. For more information, visit the UAC website or our ADFA page.
While at ADFA, you won’t incur a HECS-HELP debt as the Air Force will cover the cost of your course up to the Commonwealth Supported Place amount. This includes the higher costs associated with ADFA studies and may also cover any necessary equipment and education materials.
Officer Cadets can leave ADFA at any time within their first 2 years. Please note, if you choose to leave university, you'll be expected to reimburse the ADF for the academic training provided to date (i.e. you are not liable for the full cost if you leave before completion of the course). However, if you leave university but continue your career in the ADF by transferring to a Direct Entry role, you will not be expected to reimburse the ADF in this case.
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.
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 appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 7 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. There is a 2-year grace period from appointment where you may resign, without any obligation. 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 any outstanding IMPS obligation and provide a minimum of 3 months’ notice.
Security requirements:
Air Intelligence Officers (AIOs) are required to undertake a Top Secret Positive Vetting (PV) security clearance through the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA). An additional suitability assessment may also be required for certain positions AIOs can be posted to.
AIO trainees will complete Initial Employment Training (IET) training while their application for a security clearance is in progress. Often the clearance process will take longer than the IET so you may find yourself posted to alternate Air Force employment locations to undertake work while you await your clearance.
Additional essential requirements:
- well-developed research and analytical skills
- excellent interpersonal, personnel management and leadership skills
- excellent written and verbal communication skills
- capable of working under pressure
- technical aptitude to enable understanding of threat systems.
Course: Year One Familiarisation Training (YOFT)
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT
YOFT is Initial Military Training to prepare you for life in the ADF. It’s made up of the fundamental basic lessons and requirements to allow you to thrive and succeed in your new career.
Training includes:
- leadership
- ceremonial
- field training
- physical training
- adventurous training
- weapon training.
Course: Joint Military Education and Training (JMET)
Duration: 10 hours per week
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT
ADFA’s JMET program establishes foundational military knowledge for Trainee Officers (TOs) in the profession of arms.
JMET has 5 core modules:
- Foundational Military Skills
- National Security Policy and Strategy
- Character Leadership and Ethics
- Technology and Capability
- Joint Warfare.
JMET integrates the professional military education of TOs with the academic program to establish foundational skills and historical, philosophical and technical literacy. The ADFA program of JMET and academic studies encourages curiosity and critical thinking so that TOs understand their role as leaders within the ADF, and their service’s contribution to the Joint Force.
JMET training:
- character, leadership and ethics
- drill and ceremonial
- field craft
- joint warfare
- national security, policy and strategy
- physical training
- technology and capability
- weapons training.
Course: Single Service Training (SST)
Duration: During academic semester breaks
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT
Air Force SST gives you the opportunity to experience life in the Air Force close up. Topics include:
- adventure training
- Air Force heritage
- air power knowledge
- communications
- drill and ceremonial
- ground defence training
- leadership and management
- military justice
- weapon training
- work experience.
Course: Introduction to Defence Intelligence Course (IDIC)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course teaches you the core fundamentals of the military intelligence role and introduces you to the full range of Defence and national intelligence capabilities and processes. You’ll gain a core understanding of how intelligence is collected, processed and disseminated in order to enable military decision making.
Course: Defence Intelligence Research and Analysis Course (DIRAC)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course teaches a range of techniques to collect, analyse, integrate and synthesise operationally relevant information which describes and explains trends, threats or issues in order to enable military decision making.
Course: Common Intelligence Fundamentals Course (CIFC)
Duration: 4 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course provides the skills and knowledge required to work as an intelligence analyst capable of applying common intelligence processes and provides a grounding for specialist air intelligence training.
Course: Air Intelligence Fundamentals Course (AIFC)
Duration: 3 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course provides fundamental air intelligence skills and knowledge, and enables the application of common intelligence training to the air environment.
Course: Air Intelligence Officer Basic Course (AIOBC)
Duration: 9 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course provides more complex practical and theoretical grounding in the application of air power and how intelligence supports each operation. Online courses covering electronic warfare concepts and weapons theory are included in the AIOBC.
Course: Joint Electronic Warfare Key Concepts Course (JEWKCC)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Online
This course provides an understanding of Electronic Warfare theory, terminology, methods and applications at an introductory level.
Course: Weapons Theory Course (WEAPTHEORY)
Duration: 1 week
Location: Online
This course provides selected Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) members with broad-based training in the principles, applications and limitations of the employment and effects of conventional weapons. It introduces the background to navigation systems, radar, electro-optics, electronic combat, weapon types, functions and effects, weapon guidance, and the delivery of guided and unguided weapons.
Depending on where you’re posted, you may also complete additional training courses in targeting, advanced electronic warfare and weapons employment, space intelligence, cyber intelligence, counterintelligence or advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. All Air Intelligence Officers will also complete intermediate and advanced intelligence training courses later in their career.
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.
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 either completed Year 12 with passes in English and 3 other board accredited academic subjects or be in your final year and on track to pass them all.
Year 12 Maths and Physics, tertiary studies or demonstrable experience in a relevant field are highly desirable, but not essential.
Applicants without Year 12 may be accepted if relevant work experience and/or tertiary qualifications can be demonstrated.
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.
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 appointed 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 and provide a minimum of 3 months' notice.
Security requirements:
Air Intelligence Officers (AIOs) are required to undertake a Top Secret Positive Vetting (PV) security clearance through the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA). An additional suitability assessment may also be required for certain positions AIOs can be posted to.
AIO trainees will complete Initial Employment Training (IET) training while their application for a security clearance is in progress. Often the clearance process will take longer than the IET so you may find yourself posted to alternate Air Force employment locations to undertake work while you await your clearance.
Additional essential requirements:
- well-developed research and analytical skills
- excellent interpersonal, personnel management and leadership skills
- excellent written and verbal communication skills
- capable of working under pressure
- technical aptitude to enable understanding of threat systems.
Course: Initial Officer Course
Duration: 12 weeks
Location: RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
Phase 1: Military Introduction. During this phase of training, you’ll be introduced to life in the military. The themes of values-based behaviour, self-leadership, team membership and followership are explored through collaborative problem solving, self-mastery and resilience building activities. Weapons qualification and martial skills are included in this phase.
Phase 2: Education. During this phase of training, you’ll be introduced to leading military teams, effectively managing a workplace and applying critical thinking skills. The themes of moral courage, moral judgement and social mastery are explored through scenario-based experiential learning opportunities and facilitated decision making. Air and space power immersion in the joint environment is included in this phase.
Phase 3: Application. During this phase of training, you’ll consolidate what you’ve learned so far and you’ll apply those skills in practical leadership exercises in a simulated combat environment. The themes of values-based behaviour and the development of Officer Qualities are explored through the application of transformational leadership.
You’ll be challenged early, well supported and physically prepared. Outside of the classroom you’ll participate in physical training, adventure training and visit other Air Force bases to contextualise what you have learnt. Upon graduation, you’ll undertake specialist employment training or proceed direct to your workplace.
Course: Introduction to Defence Intelligence Course (IDIC)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course teaches you the core fundamentals of the military intelligence role and introduces you to the full range of Defence and national intelligence capabilities and processes. You’ll gain a core understanding of how intelligence is collected, processed and disseminated in order to enable military decision making.
Course: Defence Intelligence Research and Analysis Course (DIRAC)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course teaches a range of techniques to collect, analyse, integrate and synthesise operationally relevant information which describes and explains trends, threats or issues in order to enable military decision making.
Course: Common Intelligence Fundamentals Course (CIFC)
Duration: 4 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course provides the skills and knowledge required to work as an intelligence analyst capable of applying common intelligence processes and provides a grounding for specialist air intelligence training.
Course: Air Intelligence Fundamentals Course (AIFC)
Duration: 3 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course provides fundamental air intelligence skills and knowledge, and enables the application of common intelligence training to the air environment.
Course: Air Intelligence Officer Basic Course (AIOBC)
Duration: 9 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course provides more complex practical and theoretical grounding in the application of air power and how intelligence supports each operation. Online courses covering electronic warfare concepts and weapons theory are included in the AIOBC.
Course: Joint Electronic Warfare Key Concepts Course (JEWKCC)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Online
This course provides an understanding of Electronic Warfare theory, terminology, methods and applications at an introductory level.
Course: Weapons Theory Course (WEAPTHEORY)
Duration: 1 week
Location: Online
This course provides selected Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) members with broad-based training in the principles, applications and limitations of the employment and effects of conventional weapons. It introduces the background to navigation systems, radar, electro-optics, electronic combat, weapon types, functions and effects, weapon guidance, and the delivery of guided and unguided weapons.
Depending on where you’re posted, you may also complete additional training courses in targeting, advanced electronic warfare and weapons employment, space intelligence, cyber intelligence, counterintelligence or advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
All Air Intelligence Officers will also complete intermediate and advanced intelligence training courses later in their career.
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.
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.
With Defence University Sponsorship (DUS), you won’t incur a HELP or HECS-HELP debt as the Air Force will cover the cost of your course up to the Commonwealth Supported Place amount. This may also cover any necessary equipment and education materials.
You can apply for DUS at any point during your degree (so long as you have an offer of placement from an Australian university for a degree that meets Air Force requirements), however, you’ll only have your study sponsored from your date of appointment into the Air Force.
If you’re in high school, it's best to apply in your final year of school, to maximise your sponsorship time (if you join after having started your degree, you are ineligible to have your degree back paid). If you’re out of high school, you should apply as early as you can so you can maximise the benefits of your sponsorship.
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.
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 appointed 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.
Security requirements:
Air Intelligence Officers (AIOs) are required to undertake a Top Secret Positive Vetting (PV) security clearance through the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA). An additional suitability assessment may also be required for certain positions AIOs can be posted to.
AIO trainees will complete Initial Employment Training (IET) training while their application for a security clearance is in progress. Often the clearance process will take longer than the IET so you may find yourself posted to alternate Air Force employment locations to undertake work while you await your clearance.
Additional essential requirements:
- well-developed research and analytical skills
- excellent interpersonal, personnel management and leadership skills
- excellent written and verbal communication skills
- capable of working under pressure
- technical aptitude to enable understanding of threat systems.
Course: Undergraduate Familiarisation Course
Duration: 1 week
Location: Officers' Training School (OTS) RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
During your first year of sponsorship, you'll attend a one-week Familiarisation Course at RAAF Base East Sale. This will introduce you to basic military protocols and procedures.
Following graduation, you’ll undertake the Initial Officer Course of 12 weeks duration. This is a live-in course completed at RAAF Base East Sale.
Course: Initial Officer Course
Duration: 12 weeks
Location: RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
Phase 1: Military Introduction. During this phase of training, you’ll be introduced to life in the military. The themes of values-based behaviour, self-leadership, team membership and followership are explored through collaborative problem solving, self-mastery and resilience building activities. Weapons qualification and martial skills are included in this phase.
Phase 2: Education. During this phase of training, you’ll be introduced to leading military teams, effectively managing a workplace and applying critical thinking skills. The themes of moral courage, moral judgement and social mastery are explored through scenario-based experiential learning opportunities and facilitated decision making. Air and space power immersion in the joint environment is included in this phase.
Phase 3: Application. During this phase of training, you’ll consolidate what you’ve learned so far and you'll apply those skills in practical leadership exercises in a simulated combat environment. The themes of values-based behaviour and the development of Officer Qualities are explored through the application of transformational leadership.
You’ll be challenged early, well supported and physically prepared. Outside of the classroom you’ll participate in physical training, adventure training and visit other Air Force bases to contextualise what you have learnt. Upon graduation, you'll undertake specialist employment training or proceed direct to your workplace.
Course: Introduction to Defence Intelligence Course (IDIC)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course teaches you the core fundamentals of the military intelligence role and introduces you to the full range of Defence and national intelligence capabilities and processes. You’ll gain a core understanding of how intelligence is collected, processed and disseminated in order to enable military decision making.
Course: Defence Intelligence Research and Analysis Course (DIRAC)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course teaches a range of techniques to collect, analyse, integrate and synthesise operationally relevant information which describes and explains trends, threats or issues in order to enable military decision making.
Course: Common Intelligence Fundamentals Course (CIFC)
Duration: 4 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course provides the skills and knowledge required to work as an intelligence analyst capable of applying common intelligence processes and provides a grounding for specialist air intelligence training.
Course: Air Intelligence Fundamentals Course (AIFC)
Duration: 3 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course provides fundamental air intelligence skills and knowledge, and enables the application of common intelligence training to the air environment.
Course: Air Intelligence Officer Basic Course (AIOBC)
Duration: 9 weeks
Location: Defence School of Intelligence - Air (DSI-Air), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course provides more complex practical and theoretical grounding in the application of air power and how intelligence supports each operation. Online courses covering electronic warfare concepts and weapons theory are included in the AIOBC.
Course: Joint Electronic Warfare Key Concepts Course (JEWKCC)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Online
This course provides an understanding of Electronic Warfare theory, terminology, methods and applications at an introductory level.
Course: Weapons Theory Course (WEAPTHEORY)
Duration: 1 week
Location: Online
This course provides selected Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) members with broad-based training in the principles, applications and limitations of the employment and effects of conventional weapons. It introduces the background to navigation systems, radar, electro-optics, electronic combat, weapon types, functions and effects, weapon guidance, and the delivery of guided and unguided weapons.
Depending on where you’re posted, you may also complete additional training courses in targeting, advanced electronic warfare and weapons employment, space intelligence, cyber intelligence, counterintelligence or advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
All Air Intelligence Officers will also complete intermediate and advanced intelligence training courses later in their career.