Air Force
Full Time

Carpenter

Full Time
In-service title: Carpenter

As a Carpenter, you’ll design, construct and maintain buildings to support the Air Force’s operations in the field at temporary and permanent airfields.

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A uniformed, male Air Force carpenter operates a bench saw in a workshop.

What you'll do

Learn on the job or bring your skills and experience to this rewarding role that will take you wherever the Air Force is deployed. You’ll work on a range of construction sites at any of the major Air Force bases or temporary airfields within Australia. As a key member of a team of highly mobile tradespeople, you’ll conduct site planning, excavations, timber and steel constructions and concreting. You’ll also have opportunities to participate in deployed operations with the Army where you’ll assist allied trades.

Your duties may include:

  • design and site planning
  • excavation, concreting, and steel and timber construction
  • assisting allied trades
  • maintenance, repair and recovery of building and aerodrome infrastructure (not general base maintenance)
  • providing detailed site sketches and assisting in the compilation of specifications, scopes of works and cost estimates
  • interpreting plans, specifications and drawings
  • maintaining and purchasing stores, tools, equipment and materials
  • conforming to Quality Assurance (QA) requirements
  • interpreting and adhering to Australian building standards, codes and regulations
  • maintaining workplace health and safety
  • managing and training non-skilled labourers
  • assisting with the preparation of bills of materials and comply with procurement procedures
  • conducting site inspections for vertical construction tasks
  • providing advice to and liaising with project personnel on carpentry and construction requirements
  • constructing temporary facilities and camp infrastructure.

Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Air Force will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training within your chosen role. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and help you to lead teams of aviators in future.

As a Carpenter, you’ll be trained and have opportunities to progress your rank to Corporal or Sergeant, as a Works Supervisor. Further training in construction and project management will lead you to a career path up to the rank of Warrant Officer.

You could be posted to a number of units and bases within Australia, such as:

  • RAAF Base Richmond, NSW
  • RAAF Base Townsville, Qld.

You may also be attached to Army Engineering Units for specific tasks.

Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.

Requirements and training

Select an entry method
Salary, requirements and training information will change depending on the entry method selected.
About entry methods
Requirements
Citizenship

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.

Age

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.

Licences

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.

Security requirements

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.

Education and experience

To be eligible for qualified entry, you’ll need to have completed Year 10 (or equivalent) education with passes in Year 10 English and Maths. You’ll also need to have successfully completed an apprenticeship in carpentry with recognised trade qualifications.

Recognised trade qualifications include:

  • Certificate III in Carpentry
  • Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery.

Note: Carpentry III Certificates more than 10 years’ old may need upgrading to fill any current gap and will be assessed as required.

You’ll need to provide proof of high school results in additional to your trade certificates, competency results and your current resume.

You must also have passes in Year 10 English and Maths in addition to holding the relevant trade qualification. If you don’t satisfy the education requirements for this trade, or do not possess evidence of the educational requirements, there are alternative pathways available to you.

Health and fitness

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.

Period of service

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.

Training
Military training

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.

After graduation, you'll undertake Initial Employment Training (IET) in your trade or category.

Employment training

Further Airfield Engineering and military specific training will be undertaken throughout your career.

Carpenters are currently recruited with the required skills set to meet the core competencies of Air Force Carpenters. After completing your initial military training at RAAF Base Wagga, NSW, you’ll proceed on posting to 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron located at either Richmond or Townsville. Further Airfield Engineering and Military specific training will be undertaken throughout your career.

Further training

Further training opportunities will be offered in Specialist Airfield Engineering courses, covering a variety of subjects to provide skill sets in order to meet operational requirements. Carpenters will also be required to undertake core training courses required for career progression.