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You may be posted to any Air Force Base or Defence Establishment. This includes the major Air Force operational air bases including RAAF Bases Amberley or Townsville in QLD, RAAF Bases Darwin or Tindal in NT, RAAF Bases Williamtown or Richmond in NSW, RAAF Base Edinburgh in SA, or RAAF Base Pearce in WA.

You will be paid while you study. On completion of your degree, Initial Military Training and Initial Employment Training, you'll earn at least:

Training

Your starting salary

Trained

Your salary once trained

In the Air Force you'll get paid a good salary from day one regardless of your age, experience or qualifications; and your pay increases as you progress through training. In addition to your salary you'll receive a variety of allowances, extra pay for relevant qualifications – plus 16.4% superannuation, a far higher rate than you're likely to find in the civilian world.

ADF Gap Year

Upon successful completion of IET, you will be posted to one of our major air bases to undertake Ground Crew duties for the remainder of your Gap Year commitment (approximately five months).

You may also be given the opportunity to undertake further training, including additional aircraft-specific Ground Crew courses (such as for the C-17 Globemaster or C-27J Spartan), or additional vehicle/equipment operator qualifications.

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Hear first-hand about what working in the ADF is really like. 

Explore what training in the Air Force will look like.

Discover upcoming events and experiences. 

Visit UNSW and begin your application to study a relevant degree.

Are you a recent Year 12 graduate (or about to be) who wants to develop your skills before pursuing study, or take the time to think about your career direction? Or have you been thinking about a job in the Air Force but aren't sure it's right for you? Maybe you just want a break from your current job to travel and challenge yourself? 

The Air Force Gap Year program provides young Australians who meet general entry requirements an opportunity to broaden their life experience with only a year commitment. The program offers a 'try before you buy' experience of Air Force training and lifestyle for young men and women, without any obligation to serve beyond the program period. 

As a member of the Ground Crew (Movements) mustering, you’ll work as part of a team to provide critical air movement services to support a range of ADF activities, such as humanitarian and disaster relief missions, conflict operations, and multinational exercises. No two days will be the same in this dynamic role, as you undertake a range of Ground Crew related tasks, including: 
<ul>
<li> Liaising with, processing, and coordinating passengers.</li>
<li> Preparing, weighing, and restraining cargo (including vehicles, explosives, and other dangerous goods) to ensure they are safe for transport. </li>
<li> Completing aircraft load documentation, including making calculations to ensure that cargo is sufficiently restrained. </li>
<li> Operating Defence vehicles and specialist material handling equipment, including forklifts, aircraft loaders, and other machinery.</li>
<li>Configuring and loading/unloading military and commercial-type aircraft.</li>
<li> Providing airfield ramp services, including coordinating airfield parking, marshalling aircraft, and providing ground power.</li>
</ul>

You may also get the opportunity to travel (as part of a team) to undertake Ground Crew tasks from other locations within Australia and/or overseas. 

You will be supported throughout your training by professional and enthusiastic Air Force personnel who will provide the guidance necessary for you to achieve your goals. This will begin at the No.1 Recruit Training Unit at RAAF Base Wagga, where you'll undertake Initial Military Training (IMT). 

Upon successful completion of IMT, you will be regraded to Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman trainee and will undertake Ground Crew Initial Employment Training (IET) at the RAAF School of Administration and Logistics Training (RAAFSALT), also at RAAF Base Wagga.

Once you have graduated from RAAFSALT as a qualified member of the Ground Crew mustering, you will be posted to one of the major air bases to undertake Ground Crew duties for the remainder of your Gap Year commitment period (approximately five-six months).

Use specialist equipment to manage the movements of personnel, equipment, and supplies, while enjoying an action-packed 12-month taste of life in the Air Force.

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Ground Crew (ADF Gap Year)

Benefits you won't see anywhere else

You’ll enjoy the following:

Great salary from day one, which increases with experience

Generous superannuation of 16.4% – a huge 4.9% over the Australian standard

Help to buy a home, a subsidised home loan or rent allowance

Free medical and dental for you, and subsidised healthcare for you and your family

Fully paid training

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