Personnel Administration Specialist
As a Personnel Administration Specialist in the Air Force, you could work in a wide range of roles in support of Air Force members and the wider ADF.
You’ll provide guidance and advice to members on human resources policy, procedures and corporate governance including finance and information management.
What you'll do
From working with commanders and assisting members on welfare and wellbeing management, to drafting communication messages, you’ll play a vital role in supporting Air Force members in a variety of environments.
When Air Force members deploy on operations, you’ll be one of the first people on the ground to maintain the Air Force's most valued assets - its people - not just from a capability perspective, but in terms of their welfare as well.
Working as part of a team, your duties may include:
- people management - assisting members and commanders with the interpretation of policies and processing of applications to ensure members and commanders are fully informed of their responsibilities
- personnel operations - exercise and operations planning to identify the best staff to fill required positions for deployment and field exercises
- air and ground operations - working with squadron executives, flying crew, maintenance staff and base services on the coordination of unit operations
- resource and knowledge management - delivering the coordination, management, performance and governance of the Air Force’s financial, human and knowledge resources
- communications effects - drafting and distributing communication messages for internal and external channels (including website content and social media platforms) and liaise with host nations to coordinate visits.
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.
Following training, you may be posted to any Air Force base within Australia or possibly overseas, although overseas postings are limited. The major bases for this role are:
- RAAF Base Amberley, Qld
- RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
- RAAF Base Richmond, NSW
- RAAF Base Tindal, NT
- RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW.
Your posting will take into consideration both service requirements and your posting location preferences.
Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.
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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 59 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 one year. 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: Basic Personnel Capability Specialist Initial Employment Training (PCS IET)
Duration: 5 weeks (minimum)
Location: RAAF School of Administration and Logistics Training (RAAFSALT), RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
This course is delivered using a flexible learning model and consists of theory and practical instruction in basic clerical functions, including:
- operating information technology systems
- operating human resource systems
- maintaining organisational business systems
- retrieving and interpreting workplace information.
In addition to post initial employment training specific to Personnel Administration Specialists, you’ll have opportunities to undertake further training in a variety of areas including:
- Professional Military Education
- equity and diversity
- Workplace Health and Safety
- airside awareness.
Some postings may include additional job-specific training, for example, Recruiting, Training and Assessment or Military Skills Instruction.