Pharmacist
As a Pharmacist, you’ll work in a unique role comprising health logistics, planning and administration, along with more traditional elements of community (and occasionally hospital) pharmacy practice.
What you'll do
You’ll enjoy varied work experience providing pharmacy services and professional advice, developing medication policies and instructing on health training programs.
You'll also manage the resourcing and deployment of temporary medical facilities in support of remote exercises and operations. In time, you may have the opportunity to travel and practice in an operationally deployed role.
Your duties may include:
- clinical services - working within a Defence Health Facility, your role as the clinical pharmacist will include dispensing medications and management of pharmaceutical accounts
- health logistics - ordering and stock control, policy management, health equipment management, transport of medical equipment and pharmaceutical accounts.
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 job-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.
Opportunities also exist for postings to Army and Navy bases within Australia however these postings are limited and dependent on experience. You can also expect a wide range of employment opportunities both within Australia and overseas in support of ADF operations.
Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.
There are some amazing opportunities and experiences that I don’t think most civilian pharmacists would get.
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 57 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 requirement for entry into this role is a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or equivalent. You'll also need current unconditional and unrestricted registration as a pharmacist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
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 3 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. Your Careers Coach 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.
Course: Initial Officer Course
Duration: 12 weeks
Location: Officers' Training School (OTS), 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 will 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 will undertake specialist employment training or proceed direct to your workplace.
Course: Operational Health Support Course
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.
Course: Logistics Officer Initial Course
Duration: 7 weeks
Location: RAAF School of Administration and Logistics Training (RAAFSALT), RAAF Base Richmond, NSW
As your role has broad health logistics responsibilities, this course will cover:
- specialist logistics instruction for medications
- equipment management
- coordination of supplies and services.
As your career progresses, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake further logistic management and planning training. You may also have the opportunity to gain further professional qualifications through Air Force supported postgraduate education.
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 a degree that meets Air Force requirements), however, you’ll only have your study sponsored 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.
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). Once you've graduated, your IMPS full-time service will be your number of years of university sponsorship plus one year (minimum of 3 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. Your Careers Coach 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, Vic. 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: Officers' Training School (OTS), 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 will 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 will undertake specialist employment training or proceed direct to your workplace.
Course: Operational Health Support Course
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.
Course: Logistics Officer Initial Course
Duration: 7 weeks
Location: RAAF School of Administration and Logistics Training (RAAFSALT), RAAF Base Richmond, NSW
As your role has broad health logistics responsibilities, this course will cover:
- specialist logistics instruction for medications
- equipment management
- coordination of supplies and services.
As your career progresses, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake further logistic management and planning training. You may also have the opportunity to gain further professional qualifications through Air Force supported postgraduate education.