Nurse
As a Nurse, you'll provide the highest standards of patient care to Air Force and ADF members, and lead teams in a variety of environments. As a healthcare professional, you’ll be an integral part of the Defence Health System working with both Australian Public Service and civilian nursing contractors.
What you'll do
You’ll provide specialist aviation nursing and healthcare services in deployed and non-deployed environments. When called upon, you may be required to assist communities in need both within Australia and overseas.
You could provide health care in modern medical facilities or in remote disaster relief locations. Your initiative and flexibility will allow you to adapt to the dynamics of remote localities, new conditions and other challenges.
In addition to fulfilling a management and leadership role as an officer in the Air Force, you’ll carry out general nursing duties at hospitals and clinics, gaining valuable primary health care skills.
Your duties may include:
- primary health care
- aeromedical evacuation
- health education
- health facility management
- equipment management
- administration or staff roles
- planning and operations (domestic and international) to provide subject matter advice
- teaching ADF Health and auxiliary personnel to apply existing health care qualifications in an Air Force environment
- unit command.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, the Air Force will provide you with leadership, management and communications training to develop your ability to effectively manage your teams. You’ll also be provided with training opportunities to further develop your role-related skills. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and enable you to become an influential leader in the Air Force.
As an officer in the Air Force, you may also undertake a posting to an Any Officer role during your career, such as instructor/training roles and staff officer roles. This experience helps you broaden your skill set and prepare for more senior roles.
Following training, you may be posted to any Air Force Base or Defence Establishment within Australia or possibly overseas, although overseas postings are limited.
Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Every day is a new learning experience.
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 58 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.
The minimum requirements for entry into this role is a Bachelor of Nursing degree (or equivalent) and you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Registered Nurse (DIV 1). Your AHPRA registration must have no restrictions.
In addition, you must have completed 2 years postgraduate full-time employment in acute care nursing such as:
- general medical nursing
- surgical nursing
- emergency nursing
- perioperative nursing
- intensive care or high dependency nursing.
Evidence of full-time employment must be provided for credentialing purposes.
Please note that 2 years full-time employment in paediatrics, geriatrics or maternity does not meet the capability requirements for Air Force. However, you may be eligible for the postgraduate sponsorship component of the Defence University Sponsorship program. This means Air Force would pay you to undertake just the 2 years of postgraduate employment in the areas needed. Please speak to your Careers Coach for further information.
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 appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 2 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 and provide a minimum of 3 months' notice.
Duration: 12 weeks
Location: RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
Phase 1: Military Introduction. During this phase of training, you’ll be introduced to life in the military. The themes of values-based behaviour, self-leadership, team membership and followership are explored through collaborative problem solving, self-mastery and resilience building activities. Weapons qualification and martial skills are included in this phase.
Phase 2: Education. During this phase of training, you’ll be introduced to leading military teams, effectively managing a workplace and applying critical thinking skills. The themes of moral courage, moral judgement and social mastery are explored through scenario-based experiential learning opportunities and facilitated decision making. Air and space power immersion in the joint environment is included in this phase.
Phase 3: Application. During this phase of training, you’ll consolidate what you’ve learned so far and you’ll apply those skills in practical leadership exercises in a simulated combat environment. The themes of values-based behaviour and the development of Officer Qualities are explored through the application of transformational leadership.
You’ll be challenged early, well supported and physically prepared. Outside of the classroom you’ll participate in physical training, adventure training and visit other Air Force bases to contextualise what you have learnt. Upon graduation, you’ll undertake specialist employment training or proceed direct to your workplace.
Once you've completed the Initial Officer Course, you can practice as a Nurse. However, before being considered for deployment, you'll need to undertake the following:
Course: Operational Health Support Course (OPHLTHSPT)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Health Operational Conversion Unit (HOCU), RAAF Base Amberley, Qld
This course includes a 4-day field phase and will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to deploy an operational health support facility. Subjects include:
- Operational Health Support
- instruction on the various levels of health support available
- personal and collective preparation for deployment
- logistics and administrative considerations
- establishing and running a deployed health facility.
You’ll need to undertake further professional development courses during the first few years as a Nurse, such as:
Course: ADF Extended Practice Nursing (ADFEPN) Course – Phase 1 and Phase 2
Duration: 15 days each phase
Location: ADF School of Health (ADFSH), Latchford Barracks, Bonegilla, Vic
Phase 1
This course will prepare you for employment in the ADF and provide you with training in:
- ECG interpretation
- immunisation
- pharmacology
- suturing
- mental health
- plastering/strapping.
Phase 2
This course will provide you will the knowledge and skills to administer advanced life support, trauma care, management of burns and mass casualty management within the ADF.
Course: Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) Course
Duration: 3 weeks
Location: Health Operational Conversion Unit (HOCU), RAAF Base Amberley, Qld and RAAF Base Richmond, NSW
This course addresses the clinical aspects and practical implications of transporting patients by air and the technical aspects of aircraft preparation for aeromedical evacuation use. The course covers theory and practical phases for the C-17A Globemaster III, C-130J Hercules and the C-27J Spartan aircraft.
Course: Aviation Nursing Course (ANC)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course aims to graduate Nurses as Aviation Nurses, who are capable of assisting in the assessment and management of the health of ADF aircrew, provide advice on aviation medicine topics, and health support to ADF flying operations.
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 60 years, less the Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS).
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.
With Defence University Sponsorship (DUS), you won’t incur a HELP or HECS-HELP debt as the Air Force will cover the cost of your course up to the Commonwealth Supported Place amount. This may also cover any necessary equipment and education materials.
You can apply for DUS at any point during your degree (so long as you have an offer of placement from an Australian university for an accredited tertiary undergraduate nursing degree), however, the Air Force will only sponsor the study from your date of appointment into the Air Force.
If you're in high school, it's best to apply in your final year of school, to maximise your sponsorship time (if you join after having started your degree, you are ineligible to have your degree back paid). If you‘re out of high school, you should apply as early as you can so you can maximise the benefits of your sponsorship.
Please note, if you’re studying a double degree, you’ll only receive funding for one degree.
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.
You’ll be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS). Once you've graduated, your IMPS full-time service will be your number of years of university sponsorship plus one year (minimum of 2 years' service). Subsequent periods of service or open-ended appointment may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. There is a one-year grace period from appointment where you may resign, without any obligation. Sponsored study of less than 2 years only has a grace period of 3-months. 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: Undergraduate Familiarisation Course
Duration: 1 week
Location: Officers' Training School (OTS) RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
During your first year of sponsorship, you'll attend a one-week Familiarisation Course at RAAF Base East Sale. This will introduce you to basic military protocols and procedures.
Following graduation, you’ll undertake the Initial Officer Course of 12 weeks duration. This is a live-in course completed at RAAF Base East Sale.
Course: Initial Officer Course
Duration: 12 weeks
Location: RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
Phase 1: Military Introduction. During this phase of training, you’ll be introduced to life in the military. The themes of values-based behaviour, self-leadership, team membership and followership are explored through collaborative problem solving, self-mastery and resilience building activities. Weapons qualification and martial skills are included in this phase.
Phase 2: Education. During this phase of training, you’ll be introduced to leading military teams, effectively managing a workplace and applying critical thinking skills. The themes of moral courage, moral judgement and social mastery are explored through scenario-based experiential learning opportunities and facilitated decision making. Air and space power immersion in the joint environment is included in this phase.
Phase 3: Application. During this phase of training, you’ll consolidate what you’ve learned so far and you’ll apply those skills in practical leadership exercises in a simulated combat environment. The themes of values-based behaviour and the development of Officer Qualities are explored through the application of transformational leadership.
You’ll be challenged early, well supported and physically prepared. Outside of the classroom you’ll participate in physical training, adventure training and visit other Air Force bases to contextualise what you have learnt. Upon graduation, you’ll undertake specialist employment training or proceed direct to your workplace.
Once you've completed the Initial Officer Course, you can practice as a Nurse. However, before being considered for deployment, you'll need to undertake the following:
Course: Operational Health Support Course (OPHLTHSPT)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Health Operational Conversion Unit (HOCU), RAAF Base Amberley, Qld
This course includes a 4-day field phase and will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to deploy an operational health support facility. Subjects include:
- Operational Health Support
- instruction on the various levels of health support available
- personal and collective preparation for deployment
- logistics and administrative considerations
- establishing and running a deployed health facility.
You’ll need to undertake further professional development courses during the first few years as a Nurse, such as:
Course: ADF Extended Practice Nursing (ADFEPN) Course – Phase 1 and Phase 2
Duration: 15 days each phase
Location: ADF School of Health (ADFSH), Latchford Barracks, Bonegilla, Vic
Phase 1
This course will prepare you for employment in the ADF and provide you with training in:
- ECG interpretation
- immunisation
- pharmacology
- suturing
- mental health
- plastering/strapping.
Phase 2
This course will provide you will the knowledge and skills to administer advanced life support, trauma care, management of burns and mass casualty management within the ADF.
Course: Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) Course
Duration: 3 weeks
Location: Health Operational Conversion Unit (HOCU), RAAF Base Amberley, Qld and RAAF Base Richmond, NSW
This course addresses the clinical aspects and practical implications of transporting patients by air and the technical aspects of aircraft preparation for aeromedical evacuation use. The course covers theory and practical phases for the C-17A Globemaster III, C-130J Hercules and the C-27J Spartan aircraft.
Course: Aviation Nursing Course (ANC)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM), RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
This course aims to graduate Nurses as Aviation Nurses, who are capable of assisting in the assessment and management of the health of ADF aircrew, provide advice on aviation medicine topics, and health support to ADF flying operations.