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.

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.

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 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: Air Force Recruit Course
Duration: 11 weeks
Location: RAAF Base Wagga, NSW

During this training, you'll 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.

Course: Movements Initial Vehicle Licensing (MIVL)
Duration: 7 weeks
Location: RAAF School of Administration and Logistics Training (RAAFSALT), RAAF Base Wagga, NSW

You’ll learn to operate (and gain the required licences for) a range of equipment including:

• medium rigid trucks
• aircraft cargo loaders
• tow motors and forklifts.

Additionally, you'll learn to work safely at heights, to package and accept Dangerous Goods for transport by air and to undertake basic non-technical duty crew tasks (such as aircraft marshalling).

Course: Movements Air Terminal Basic (MATB)
Duration: 8 weeks
Location: RAAF School of Administration and Logistics Training (RAAFSALT), Air Movements Training Flight, RAAF Base Richmond, NSW

This course will provide you with the basic air movements knowledge and skills to enable you to function as part of an Air Load Team. You'll learn how to:

• compile passenger and cargo documentation
• conduct a range of load and restraint-related calculations
• prepare and load/unload a range of loose, palletised, and wheeled cargo.

This course also includes an introduction to explosive ordnance.

Once you have completed your Initial Employment Training (IET) and as you progress through various stages of your career, you’ll be required to undertake a range of additional aviation logistics specific training including:

• aircraft-specific loading/unloading and load-planning courses, including for the C-17 Globemaster, C-27J Spartan and KC-30 Multi-Role Tanker Transport
• vehicle and equipment operator qualifications, including Heavy Rigid and Heavy Combination vehicle licences
• aviation refuelling courses, including bulk dangerous goods transport accreditation (note: due to legislative requirements, you must be 21 years of age or older before undertaking aviation refueller training)
• movements supervisor and manager courses
• Air Force instructor and assessor courses (dependent on your rank and role).

The air movements load planning and aviation refuelling courses are generally undertaken at the Leading Aircraftman/Lead Aircraftwoman (LAC/LACW) rank level, while the movement supervisor and the movements manager courses are undertaken at the Corporal (CPL) and Sergeant (SGT) rank levels, respectively.

Aviation Logistics Specialists also have access to the Logistics Professional Development Program (LPDP). The program enables members of the Air Force Logistics Employment Group (which also includes Chef, Warehouse Storeperson and Logistics Manager) to develop and broaden logistics knowledge, and to keep aware of developments across the logistics industry sector. The program aims to do this by supporting you to undertake further logistics-related education, to attend industry seminars and/or conferences, and to maintain memberships of approved professional associations.