Air Traffic Controller
As an Air Traffic Controller in the Air Force, you’ll provide Air Base Air Traffic Services and airspace management in support of flying operations and training at one of the many military airfields and joint-user airfields around Australia. Assuring the safe and efficient flow of air traffic, you'll give guidance to aircraft both on the ground and in the air.
This role is part of the Officer Aviation career specialisation and as you progress through your training, you’ll be assigned into either the Mission or Pilot pathway. For more information on these pathways, and the roles that sit within each, visit the Officer Aviation pathways page.
What you'll do
You’ll be responsible for all Air Force aircraft as well as civilian aircraft traffic at the airfields where military Air Traffic Control is provided. You may be called upon to control the airspace above a battlefield, over land or the sea and this sees Air Traffic Controllers often working extensively with the Army and Navy, including controlling from Navy ships.
Your duties may include:
- delivering Air Base Air Traffic Services
- controlling all airfield traffic
- controlling battlefield airspace
- managing an airfield tower.
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.
Following training, you could be posted to any Air Force Base that has Air Base Air Traffic Services, the Army Aviation Centre, Oakey, Qld or the Naval Air Station, Nowra, NSW.
Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.
What makes a good Air Traffic Controller is the ability to make decisions in a high-pressure situation.
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 to join ADFA from 16 years of age and must be at least 17 on the day of entry. The maximum age to join is 51 years.
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.
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 (UNSW). 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.
You can choose to study any degree offered at ADFA by the UNSW, except for a 4-year engineering degree.
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 required to complete your tertiary studies at ADFA prior to completing Initial Specialist Employment Training (ISET). The length of ISET varies between streams. There is a 2-year grace period from commencement of your ADFA studies where you may resign, without any obligation. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how your Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
Although you will have an IMPS of 7 years associated with your 3 years of tertiary studies at ADFA, this will be served concurrently with the 9-year Return of Service Obligation (ROSO) when you start your Operational Conversion (OPCON) or ISET. OPCON or ISET is the course you undertake after your basic courses and is specific to the Mission or Pilot role you are allocated to.
Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may tender your resignation at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS or ROSO and provide a minimum of 3 months' notice.
Physical Requirements
The weight and height limitations are the same as the general entry standards.
Speech
Good communication is critical in this job, so your speech must be clear and free from impediment.
Detailed evaluation
A detailed evaluation of your suitability to join the Air Force through the Officer Aviation (OA) specialisation requires a primary and a secondary selection process. The primary selection process is conducted by ADF Careers at your local ADF Careers Centre and includes interviews and an initial Officer Aviation Test Battery (OATB). If assessed as suitable, you'll progress to the secondary assessment stage, which includes a 2-day Aviation Screening Program (ASP). Depending on your ASP results, you may be invited to attend an Officer Selection Board (OSB), scheduled for some time after ASP.
The ASP will be managed by the Aviation Candidate Management Centre (ACMC) and will take place at RAAF Base East Sale, Vic.
The ASP is designed to evaluate your suitability to undergo aviation training as well as give you a better understanding of all the streams within the OA specialisation. Because all Officer Aviation Candidates (OACs) undergo some training at RAAF Base East Sale, it allows you to experience living on the very base at which you’ll be training. You'll get first-hand experience of the training, recreational and accommodation facilities at the RAAF Base East Sale as well as the opportunity to talk with students and instructors at the Air Academy (AirA). Aviation aptitude is assessed using the computer-based Military Aviation Cognitive Assessment System (MACTS) over two 4-hour sessions.
On the afternoon of the second day of the ASP, ACMC staff will debrief you on your MACTS results and they will advise you which progression options are available. If you want to proceed with the option/s available, you’ll be invited to attend an OSB, which involves a series of group activities, problem-solving exercises and verbal presentation exercises plus a formal interview. This gives you an excellent opportunity to display your true potential to be an officer. The OSB is made up of an Air Force officer plus a psychologist.
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: Mission Elementary Course (MEC)
Duration: 11 weeks
Location: Air Mission Training School (AMTS), RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
The MEC is for all Mission Pathway candidates and consists of the following training modules:
- Aviation Fundamentals Module - provides you with foundational knowledge that will allow you to undergo more specific aviation training during further operational stream training.
- Control Module - develops your aviation communication, multi-dimensional thinking, time management and situational awareness within an aviation battlespace, as you control aircraft and achieve mission objectives. Training is conducted on both Air Warfare and Air Traffic Control simulators, which are used as technical selection for progression to follow on training. The successful completion of this module is a prerequisite for Mission Aviation Course, Air Traffic Control Course and Operations Officer Basic Course.
Initial Specialist Employment Training (ISET)
Course: Air Traffic Control Course (ATCC)
Duration: 8 months
Location: School of Air Traffic Control (SATC), RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
The aim is to produce controllers who have the knowledge, skills, attitude and experience to complete an operational conversion to a control tower at a military air base or a joint civil/military base.
Further training courses are available on completion of Initial Employment Training (IET) including the following:
- Air Traffic Control Approach Course
- Air Traffic Control Advanced Training Course
- Air Traffic Control Instructor Course.
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 51 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.
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.
The completion of Year 12 university entry level Maths (unmodified) and Physics or multi-strand Science is highly desirable.
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 incur a 9-year Return of Service Obligation (ROSO) which begins on the commencement of either your Initial Specialist Employment Training (ISET) or Operational Conversion (OPCON) course.
ISET or OPCON is the course you undertake after your basic courses and is specific to the Mission or Pilot role you are allocated to. Until the commencement of your ROSO, you are under no specific obligation to serve and would normally be allowed to bring forward the end of your period of service.
Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may tender your resignation at any time provided you do not have an outstanding ROSO and you provide 3 months' notice.
Physical Requirements
The weight and height limitations are the same as the general entry standards.
Speech
Good communication is critical in this job, so your speech must be clear and free from impediment.
Detailed evaluation
A detailed evaluation of your suitability to join the Air Force through the Officer Aviation (OA) specialisation requires a primary and a secondary selection process. The primary selection process is conducted by ADF Careers at your local ADF Careers Centre and includes interviews and an initial Officer Aviation Test Battery (OATB). If assessed as suitable, you'll progress to the secondary assessment stage, which includes a 2-day Aviation Screening Program (ASP). Depending on your ASP results, you may be invited to attend an Officer Selection Board (OSB), scheduled for some time after ASP.
The ASP will be managed by the Aviation Candidate Management Centre (ACMC) and will take place at RAAF Base East Sale, Vic.
The ASP is designed to evaluate your suitability to undergo aviation training as well as give you a better understanding of all the streams within the OA specialisation. Because all Officer Aviation Candidates (OACs) undergo some training at RAAF Base East Sale, it allows you to experience living on the very base at which you’ll be training. You'll get first-hand experience of the training, recreational and accommodation facilities at the RAAF Base East Sale as well as the opportunity to talk with students and instructors at the Air Academy (AirA). Aviation aptitude is assessed using the computer-based Military Aviation Cognitive Assessment System (MACTS) over two 4-hour sessions.
On the afternoon of the second day of the ASP, ACMC staff will debrief you on your MACTS results and they will advise you which progression options are available. If you want to proceed with the option/s available, you’ll be invited to attend an OSB, which involves a series of group activities, problem-solving exercises and verbal presentation exercises plus a formal interview. This gives you an excellent opportunity to display your true potential to be an officer. The OSB is made up of an Air Force officer plus a psychologist.
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: Mission Elementary Course (MEC)
Duration: 11 weeks
Location: Air Mission Training School (AMTS), RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
The MEC is for all Mission Pathway candidates and consists of the following training modules:
- Aviation Fundamentals Module - provides you with foundational knowledge that will allow you to undergo more specific aviation training during further operational stream training.
- Control Module - develops your aviation communication, multi-dimensional thinking, time management and situational awareness within an aviation battlespace, as you control aircraft and achieve mission objectives. Training is conducted on both Air Warfare and Air Traffic Control simulators, which are used as technical selection for progression to follow on training. The successful completion of this module is a prerequisite for Mission Aviation Course, Air Traffic Control Course and Operations Officer Basic Course.
Initial Specialist Employment Training (ISET)
Course: Air Traffic Control Course (ATCC)
Duration: 8 months
Location: School of Air Traffic Control (SATC), RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
The aim is to produce controllers who have the knowledge, skills, attitude and experience to complete an operational conversion to a control tower at a military air base or a joint civil/military base.
Further training courses are available on completion of Initial Employment Training (IET) including the following:
- Air Traffic Control Approach Course
- Air Traffic Control Advanced Training Course
- Air Traffic Control Instructor Course.