Psychologist
As a Psychologist, you’ll find a fulfilling new outlet for your psychology expertise, tackling unique but rewarding professional challenges in support of a variety of Air Force needs.
You'll contribute to capability in the areas of personnel selection, training, performance enhancement, leadership development, organisational culture, Air Force health services, psychology policies and research.
What you'll do
You’ll provide behavioural science, organisational and industrial psychology, and mental health advice and services in order to further develop Air Force capability and enhance organisational effectiveness. You'll apply contemporary behavioural science skills and knowledge to Air Force systems, processes and programs.
Depending on your posting, you'll perform important tasks ranging from recruitment and workplace assessments to interventions for personnel and team development.
Your duties may include:
- organisational/industrial psychology
- occupational, selection and research psychology
- training development and delivery
- performance enhancement and psychological awareness programs
- delivering psychology education and training packages to small audiences
- developing training materials on topics such as resilience, performance enhancement strategies or organisational culture
- conducting research projects on psychometric and selection standards
- participating in selection processes and panels
- being involved in developing and implementing new initiatives to improve the overall wellbeing and effectiveness of the Air Force workforce.
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 could be posted to one of the many Air Force bases or Defence establishments across Australia or possibly overseas, although overseas postings are limited. During exercises and in response to international events, you may be deployed to another Australian or foreign military base.
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.
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 general registration as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). You may commence your application if you are currently undertaking the requirements for general registration with AHPRA. However, you must hold general registration as a Psychologist at the time of your appointment as an Air Force Officer.
In addition to the above requirements, it is desirable you have a Master of Organisational Psychology and/or experience delivering organisational psychology services.
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.
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've learnt. Upon graduation, you'll undertake specialist employment training or proceed direct to your workplace.
Course: Regimental Officer Basic Course Psychology
Duration: 6 weeks
Location: Army Logistics Training Centre (ALTC), Latchford Barracks, Bonegilla, Vic
Building on your existing university qualifications, this course will prepare you for employment as an ADF Psychologist.
You’ll undertake this residential course in the first 12 months of your appointment.
You’ll receive on-the-job training, peer supervision and professional development throughout your time as a psychologist.
The Air Force can provide an in-house registrar pathway for endorsement as an Organisational Psychologist as part of your continued career progression.
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.
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 if you’re in the final year of a 4-year degree in Psychology (so long as you have an offer of placement from an Australian university for a Master of Organisational Psychology), however, the Air Force will only sponsor the study from your date of appointment into the Air Force.
You can progress to the Officer Selection Board prior to the beginning of your master’s program.
Master’s degrees that may be sponsored for this role are in accordance with the Australia Psychology Accreditation Council. You can read the guidelines at https://apac.au/
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.
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've learnt. Upon graduation, you will undertake specialist employment training or proceed direct to your workplace.
Course: Regimental Officer Basic Course Psychology
Duration: 6 weeks
Location: Army Logistics Training Centre (ALTC), Latchford Barracks, Bonegilla, Vic
Building on your existing university qualifications, this course will prepare you for employment as an ADF Psychologist.
You’ll undertake this residential course in the first 12 months of your appointment.
You’ll receive on-the-job training, peer supervision and professional development throughout your time as a psychologist.
The Air Force can provide an in-house registrar pathway for endorsement as an Organisational Psychologist as part of your continued career progression.