Photographer
As an Air Force Photographer, you’ll be responsible for capturing imagery and vision in support of government objectives, military operations, exercises and activities, as well as Defence supported public events, at home and overseas.
What you'll do
Photographers provide expertise in all aspects of imagery and vision production from gathering material to editing the final product. The Photography team you work in will have specialist knowledge and experience with the latest imagery equipment and techniques.
As a Photographer, you'll use current DSLR and professional video cameras, lighting kits, wireless audio capture, go-pros, drones and commercial editing platforms. You'll have photographic studios including green screen technology and can provide advice on the best use of equipment for your project. This rewarding role offers variety and excitement – one day you could be flying in the back of a C-17A Globemaster and the next day you could be working with Air Force dogs, on a military exercise overseas, or in support of national disasters.
Your duties may include:
- imagery task planning
- capturing imagery and vision
- processing imagery and vision products
- writing captions and narrative for imagery and vision
- quality control on imagery and vision products
- transmitting imagery and vision data.
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 could be posted to a range of bases and locations across Australia, including:
- Canberra Region, ACT
- RAAF Base Amberley, Qld
- RAAF Base Darwin, NT
- RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
- RAAF Base Richmond, NSW
- RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW.
Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.
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 56 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 4 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.
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: ADF Imagery Specialist (IS) Initial Employment Training (IET)
Duration: 24 weeks
Location: Navy Imagery Unit – East, HMAS Kuttabul, NSW
The IS IET consists of the following 2 courses:
- Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging – this course is delivered by Box Hill TAFE at HMAS Kuttabul, supported by qualified military instructors
- Joint Imagery Specialist Course (JISC).
Upon graduation from IET, you’ll be able to capture and process intelligence, evidentiary, public affairs, action and portrait imagery.
As a Photographer, you’ll have opportunities to complete further job-specific and career development training throughout your career.
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 56 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 be considered a qualified entrant, you must have a Certificate IV in Photography and Photo Imaging or equivalent*. You’ll also need to submit your CV and current portfolio for consideration and assessment.
*Equivalent – related/relevant qualifications or relevant industry experience (as assessed by the Workforce Capability Advisor (WCA)).
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 4 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.
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 Imagery Specialist Course (JISC)
Duration: 12 weeks
Location: Navy Imagery Unit – East, HMAS Kuttabul, NSW
Upon graduation from Initial Employment Training, you’ll be able to capture and process intelligence, evidentiary, public affairs, action and portrait imagery.
As a Photographer, you’ll have opportunities to complete further job-specific and career development training throughout your career.