Communications Electronic Technician
As a Communications Electronic Technician, you'll ensure the skies are safe for Air Force operations. You’ll be responsible for the provision and maintenance of the Aviation Support System (AvSS) and associated equipment. The AvSS is a suite of fixed and mobile ground-based radar, communications systems, navigation aids and other sensors that connects with an associated telecommunications network to enable Air Force operations. It's an exciting role, full of unique challenges and opportunities to travel around Australia.
What you'll do
You'll work in well-stocked workshops and in the field on exercises and deployments. You'll monitor, maintain and troubleshoot radios, radar and satellite systems, navigation aids, integrated communication systems and high-tech surveillance platforms. It’s a rewarding and varied role that will see you setting up essential ground-air telecommunications, problem solving equipment faults on the fly and performing a range of maintenance tasks to keep the Air Force communicating.
Your duties may include:
- performing system checks to ensure equipment is in full working order
- performing routine maintenance on various systems
- ensuring equipment faults are fixed fast to keep operations running smoothly
- setting up remote communications.
You may also be responsible for maintaining and repairing the following equipment and systems:
- ground-based radar systems
- Satellite Communication (SATCOM) systems
- Surveillance and Control Equipment (SCE) used by Air Traffic Controllers and Air Battle Managers
- integrated communication systems such as High, Very High and Ultra-High Frequency radio systems
- ground-based navigational aids such as Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and non-directional beacons.
Following training, you could be posted to one of the many Air Force bases or other Defence establishments within Australia, as well as limited overseas opportunities.
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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 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.
Fully qualified:
Certificate III in Electronics and Communications or higher (UEE 30920), comprising of competencies prescribed by the Air Force.
Partially qualified:
Competencies contributing towards a Certificate III in Electronics and Communications. Qualifications held under similar training packages will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Air Force.
All applicants:
You must hold a Certificate III in Engineering Electrical / Electronic Trade with achievements in Air Force recognised competencies.
You must have completed Year 10 (or equivalent) with passes in English, Maths and Science (with a Physics component).
You must provide original education documents, trade certificates, units of competency results and a current resume to your Careers Coach.
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.
After graduation, you'll undertake Initial Employment Training (IET) in your trade or category.
Course: RAAF Communications Electronic Technician (CETECH) Initial Technical Training
Duration: 10 weeks (minimum)
Location: Electronics Technician School (ETS), HMAS Cerberus, Vic
On completion of Initial Military Training, you’ll be re-classified from Recruit Trainee to a grade and rank dependant on your prior qualifications and/or work experience. All direct entry applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. You'll then be posted to HMAS Cerberus to undergo a Recognition of Current Competencies/Recognition of Prior Learning assessment and to complete Air Force specific modules and any further training, as identified by HMAS Cerberus.
You’ll have opportunities to expand your learning and training into additional areas, such as rigging, workplace health and safety and data management. Following your Initial Employment Training, further courses are also available to help you develop fault finding and problem-solving skills.
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, Maths and Science (with a Physics component). This is the minimum standard required to facilitate understanding of the engineering principles taught on the initial training course.
Note: Consumer Maths, General Maths, Mathematics (General Mathematics) and similarly 'modified' Maths subjects are not suitable for this role. If you don’t have the minimum educational qualifications, you may be considered if you possess relevant work experience or tertiary qualifications.
Prior completion of a Basic Electronics Certificate would be an advantage.
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.
After graduation, you'll undertake Initial Employment Training (IET) in your trade or category.
Course: RAAF Communications Electronic Technician (CETECH) Initial Technical Training
Duration: 16 months
Location: Electronics Technician School (ETS), HMAS Cerberus, Vic
This course provides underpinning theoretical knowledge in electronics which is reinforced through conducting practical exercises and assessments on circuit cards using common test equipment. It also includes training on safety, basic use of hand tools, wiring and cable termination, soldering and Air Force maintenance procedures. The majority of the course is instructed by qualified specialist civilian instructors in a joint Air Force and Navy training environment. A large portion of the course is conducted in Flexible Learning Centres using Computer Aided Instruction (CAI), allowing you some degree of control over the learning pace. Air Force specific modules are conducted in single service classes prior to graduating.
Upon graduation, you are awarded a Certificate III in Electronics and Communications.
You'll have opportunities to expand your learning and training into additional areas, such as rigging, workplace health and safety and data management. Following your Initial Employment Training, further courses are also available to help you develop fault finding and problem-solving skills.