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.

As a qualified medic, you must be able to drive the current fleet of ambulances under emergency conditions, requiring you to be proficient in the use of a manual transmission.

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 11 (or equivalent) education required with passes in English and Maths. Biology is also desirable. Any form of Maths (General Maths or Social Maths) is acceptable for this avenue of entry.

A Paramedic, Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse who holds current registration (without notation) with a national Board is highly desirable.

You'll still be required to complete specific modules of the Joint Medic Initial Employment Training (IET), depending on the type of registration you hold.

If you hold partial qualifications, your application will be assessed for suitability by a civilian education provider and the ADF before granting any recognition of prior learning, however, you must be prepared to complete the full Joint Medic IET if your recognition of prior learning is unsuccessful.

If you don’t have the minimum educational qualification, your relevant work experience or tertiary qualifications may be considered.

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.

Medics are required to gain and maintain national registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia or Paramedicine Board of Australia, in conjunction with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Due to registration requirements of health practitioners, applicants with an offence history relating to the use of illicit drugs or misuse of prescribed and non-prescribed medications are not suitable for entry. If you've been charged with convictions relating to assault, or any other offences that would preclude working with vulnerable people, you are also not suitable for entry.

You must be at least 18 years old at the time of the first clinical placement during Initial Employment Training (IET). This clinical placement normally occurs around the 4th month of IET.

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: Joint Medic Training Course
Duration: 18 months (plus 6-7 weeks leave)
Location: ADF School of Health (ADFSH), Latchford Barracks, Bonegilla, Vic

You’ll complete comprehensive employment training from both military and civilian contracted staff.

The course will include:

• an overview of the history and structure of the ADF health services
• Geneva Conventions
• health logistics
• infection control principles and practice
• primary health care
• resuscitation bay duties
• pre-hospital clinical care
• ADF health documentation
• specific treatment protocol policies
• tactical combat casualty care
• other micro skills associated with health care delivery within the military.

The training will lead to a Diploma in Nursing (Enrolled/Div 2) qualification and national registration as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

If you hold a current registration (without notation) with a national Board, your training is approximately 5 months. If you do not hold current national registration (without notation), your training is approximately 18 months.

Throughout your career, you'll complete additional training and participate in health-related activities, courses, leadership training and military exercises to ensure you can operate in a variety of environments, are prepared for a wide range of patient types and can work throughout the continuum of care.