Air Force
Full Time

Space Operations Officer

Full Time
In-service title: Space Operations Officer

As a Space Operations Officer, you’ll lead a team of Space Operations Specialists to plan and employ space capabilities, complete missions, maintain Australia’s access to space, and conduct space operations.

If you’re an innovative thinker, adaptable, and ready to lead teams, this could be the ideal position for you.

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Space Operations Officer

What you'll do

You’ll lead a range of space operations, working anywhere from typical offices to remote, high-security locations, supporting space missions and broader ADF missions across Land, Sea, Air and Cyber.

You’ll plan, execute, and participate in missions working in a range of areas, from missile warning technology and satellite communications to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Your team may conduct these missions with other ADF Services, allied nations, or partner agencies.

Your leadership will be vital for the ADF to use the space domain to its advantage.

Your duties may include:

  • monitoring, analysing, and assessing the space domain for threats and opportunities
  • defending Australia’s access to the space domain
  • planning and executing space missions that may involve:
    • satellite communications
    • position, navigation and timing
    • missile warning
    • satellite operations
    • space control
    • intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
    • environmental monitoring
  • leading multi-disciplinary teams with members from a range of organisations
  • handling and protecting sensitive and classified information and material
  • operating with allies and partners.

Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, Defence 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 ADF.

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.

You’ll work in a variety of locations across Australia and potentially overseas, such as:

  • Space Command, ACT
  • 1 Space Surveillance Unit, SA
  • 74 Squadron, QLD
  • Joint Operations Command, ACT

Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.

Requirements and training

About entry methods
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Officer Entry: Officer
Requirements
Citizenship

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.

Age
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.
Licences

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.

Security requirements

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.

Education and experience

You’ll need to have either completed Year 12 with passes in English and 3 other board accredited academic subjects or be in your final year and on track to pass them all.

The completion of Year 12 university entry level Maths (unmodified) and Physics or multi-strand Science is highly desirable.

Health and fitness

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.

Period of service

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.

Additional requirements

You’ll be required to obtain Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1) security clearance prior to commencement of Initial Employment Training (IET). As this role requires a Top Secret Positive Vetting (TSPV) security clearance, you’ll be required to apply for a TSPV security clearance prior to the commencement of IET.

You’ll need to obtain this TSPV security clearance within 12 months of completing IET.

Training
Military training

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.

Employment training

Course: Space Operations Officer Basic Course
Duration: 14 weeks
Location: ACT

Topics include:

  • Introduction to Space
  • Space policy, law & doctrine
  • Space operations overview
  • Space engineering & capabilities
  • Orbital mechanics
  • Space links
  • Space sensors
  • Space mission sets
  • Space operations
  • Space planning
  • Space integration
Further training

You’ll have opportunities to complete further job specific and career development training throughout your career.