Army
Full Time

Armoured Officer

Full Time
In-service title: Armoured Officer

As an Armoured Officer, you’ll lead a team of soldiers who’ll operate high-tech weapon systems with skill and speed. You’ll conduct independent operations for extended periods in remote areas and under harsh conditions, while also working closely with soldiers as part of an armoured fighting vehicle crew. An Armoured Officer is required to make fast-paced decisions in a complex and dynamic environment while maintaining awareness of their surroundings and concurrently providing direction to their Troop.

As a first appointment Armoured Officer, you’ll be posted to one of the 3 Armoured Cavalry Regiments as a Troop Leader in command of either a Cavalry or Tank Troop. The Cavalry Officer is an expert in mounted reconnaissance and security whilst maintaining the versatility to contribute significantly to offensive and defensive operations. A Tank Officer will command and control some of the most technologically advanced vehicles that the Army fields and will be directly responsible for some of the most overwhelming firepower in Land Combat for decisive effect on the battlefield.

This meaningful role is part of the Army Officer – Command career pathway, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of being a leader to a team of soldiers, including mentorship, influence, problem solving, decision making and much more. No leadership experience is required, and you’ll be allocated to your specific role before you graduate from training.

Apply Now

What you'll do

You’ll command an armoured fighting vehicle troop in all phases of conflict in offensive, defensive, security and reconnaissance operations. Your unit will be equipped with the Abrams Main Battle tank (MBT), Australian Light Armoured vehicle (ASLAV), the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle, or a combination of the 3.

As an Armoured Lieutenant, your duties may include:

  • interpreting a commander’s intent and translate the intent into orders
  • establishing effective command relationships with superiors, peers and subordinates
  • managing safety and welfare within the Troop
  • developing and maintaining Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) technical skills, including maintaining the proficiency of commanding an individual armoured fighting vehicle
  • interpreting and accurately conveying operational information
  • implementing organisational goals
  • establishing, maintaining and training a RAAC Troop
  • monitoring and developing soldier skills within the Troop
  • managing personnel administration within the Troop
  • managing, using and maintaining Troop resources
  • commanding a RAAC Troop in all phases of war
  • analysing the tactical and technical situation, and deriving a decision that best fits the situation
  • leading a team of highly trained soldiers to achieve a mission or task
  • demonstrating a high standard of leadership and command ability
  • having a thorough knowledge of mounted and dismounted tactics
  • communicating effectively in verbal and written mediums.

Once you graduate as an officer from the Royal Military College – Duntroon, you’ll undertake 6 months of Corps focused training at the School of Armour where you’ll be trained as an Armoured Officer. This includes learning to operate armoured vehicles and command armoured vehicle Troops (4 vehicles). On completion of this training, you’ll most likely be posted to a troop command position across the various Armoured Units.

Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, the Army will provide you with leadership, management, and specialist skills training to develop your ability to effectively manage your teams. You’ll also be provided with training opportunities to further develop your role-related expertise. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and enable you to become an influential leader in the Army.

As an officer in the Army, 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 these Army units:

  • 1st Armoured Regiment, Adelaide, SA – an Armoured unit that focuses on experimentation and bringing new technologies into service with the Army.
  • 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Townsville, Qld – an Armoured Cavalry Regiment, equipped with ASLAV and Tanks.
  • 2/14 Light Horse Regiment (QMI), Enoggera, Qld – a Cavalry Regiment, equipped with ASLAV and Boxer.
  • School of Armour in Puckapunyal, Vic – the training establishment for all armoured vehicles within Army.

The ASLAV is being replaced with the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance vehicle. Some Regiments are already equipped with the Boxer, however, all Regiments should have completely replaced the ASLAV with the Boxer by the end of 2027.

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

Requirements and training

Select an entry method
Salary, requirements and training information will change depending on the entry method selected.
About entry methods
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 to join ADFA from 16 years of age and must be at least 17 on the day of entry. The maximum age to join is 51 years.

Licences

You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.

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

To be eligible for admission to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) at ADFA, you’ll need to have completed Year 12 with passes in English and 3 other Board of Secondary School Studies registered (or state equivalent) subjects and obtained an entrance rank high enough to qualify for entry into the relevant degree program.

If you already have a degree, please provide copies of your transcripts as well as Year 12.

Note: As well as applying to the Army for entry, you’ll also need to apply to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for entry to the University of New South Wales (UNSW). For more information, visit the UAC website or our ADFA page.

While at ADFA, you won’t incur a HECS-HELP debt as the Army will cover the cost of your course up to the Commonwealth Supported Place amount. This includes the higher costs associated with ADFA studies and may also cover any necessary equipment and education materials. 

Officer Cadets can leave ADFA at any time within their first 2 years. Please note, if you choose to leave university, you'll be expected to reimburse the ADF for the academic training provided to date (i.e. you are not liable for the full cost if you leave before completion of the course). However, if you leave university but continue your career in the ADF by transferring to a Direct Entry role, you will not be expected to reimburse the ADF in this case. 

Assumed Knowledge Requirements

Assumed Knowledge is the level of subject knowledge that a lecturer or a tutor of a first year UNSW at ADFA course could reasonably expect of students enrolled in that course.

Assumed Knowledge is fundamental to the assessment of whether or not an applicant is likely to succeed and is taken into account by the ADF (during the recruiting process) and by UNSW at ADFA when assessing the application.

While all UNSW degrees require Year 12 English as Assumed Knowledge, applicants wishing to enter the Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Technology programs (or study Maths or Physics as part of a Bachelor of Science degree) also require current Year 12 Maths and Year 12 Physics as Assumed Knowledge.

In states where Year 12 English may be replaced by a Humanities subject for the purposes of meeting Year 12 certificate requirements, the Assumed Knowledge is Year 11 English plus a Year 12 Humanities subject.

Further information regarding Assumed Subject Knowledge, including state-by-state specific Year 12 subjects, can be found on the UNSW website.

ADF Service Requirements

You should be aware that in addition to the UNSW at ADFA Assumed Subject Knowledge requirements, there may be some Year 12 subjects that are ADF Service requirements.

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): 45
  • Push-ups: 8
  • Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.

Male

  • Sit-ups (feet held): 45
  • Push-ups: 15
  • Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.

By the end of your initial employment training, you must also be capable of passing the Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) swim test which involves duck diving twice through at least 2 underwater obstacles, 2 metres apart at a depth of not less than 2.5 metres and not more than 3.5 metres measured from the bottom of the obstacle. You'll also swim 30 metres in fresh water or 50 metres in salt water, and without leaving the water, remain afloat out of depth for 3 minutes. Don’t worry, you’ll receive the necessary training and guidance to make sure you’re ready when the test arrives.

As combat positions require a higher level of strength and aerobic fitness than non-combat employment categories, you may also be expected to pass the relevant Combat Arms Physical Employment Standards. The Army provides training and support to meet these standards.

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 9 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. There is a 2-year grace period from appointment where you may resign, without any obligation. 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 any outstanding IMPS obligation and provide a minimum of 3 months’ notice. 

Additional requirements

You’ll need to be able to withstand being confined in restricted spaces for extended periods of time and to have the capacity to hold a driver's licence.

Training
Military training

You'll attend ADFA to complete your university studies over 3 years. You'll also complete the following military training around your study commitments.

Course: Year One Familiarisation Training (YOFT)
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT

YOFT is Initial Military Training to prepare you for life in the ADF. It's made up of the fundamental basic lessons and requirements to allow you to thrive and succeed in your new career.

Training includes:

  • leadership
  • ceremonial
  • field training
  • physical training
  • adventurous training
  • weapon training.

Course: Joint Military Education and Training (JMET)
Duration: 10 hours per week
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT

ADFA's JMET program establishes foundational military knowledge for Trainee Officers (TOs) in the profession of arms.

JMET has 5 core modules:

  • Foundational Military Skills
  • National Security Policy and Strategy
  • Character Leadership and Ethics
  • Technology and Capability
  • Joint Warfare.

JMET integrates the professional military education of TOs with the academic program to establish foundational skills and historical, philosophical and technical literacy. The ADFA program of JMET and academic studies encourages curiosity and critical thinking so that TOs understand their role as leaders within the ADF, and their service's contribution to the Joint Force.

JMET training:

  • character, leadership and ethics
  • drill and ceremonial
  • field craft
  • joint warfare
  • national security, policy and strategy
  • physical training
  • technology and capability
  • weapons training.

Course: Single Service Training (SST)
Duration: during academic semester breaks
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT

Army SST gives you the opportunity to experience life in the Army and gain core Army leadership, technical and field skills.

  • Combat fitness.
  • Field craft.
  • Leadership training.
  • Radio communications.
  • Work experience.
  • Weapon handling.

After graduating from ADFA you'll join your direct-entry peers at the Royal Military College - Duntroon to complete the Officer Commissioning Program (OCP).

Having already completed the equivalent of the first semester of the OCP at ADFA, you'll join your direct entry peers for the final 2 semesters, each 6 months in duration.


Course: Officer Commissioning Program
Duration: 12 months
Location: Royal Military College: Duntroon, Canberra, ACT

While attending RMC-D, you'll be appointed as a Staff Cadet, organised into a Battalion known as the Corps of Staff Cadets. As a Staff Cadet, you'll be immersed in military life and culture. You'll already have completed the equivalent of the first semester of the OCP during ADFA, therefore, you'll only need to complete the final 2 semesters of the OCP, each approximately 6 months in duration.

The training program for the final 2 semesters includes:

  • Foundation Leadership: will prepare you for your first appointment through exposure to military leadership and applied leadership
  • Foundation Warfighting: develop knowledge of foundation warfighting in the contemporary operating environment through platoon-level tactical actions
  • Foundation Military Planning: learn about critical thinking and planning in an operational context and command experience in a 'simulated' environment
  • Foundation Command: gain the necessary skills and knowledge to support training and administrative processes in a unit environment using your ethical framework.

After graduating as a Lieutenant, you'll be assigned to one of the Army's specialised branches, known as Corps, where you'll put what you've learned into practice. Initially, you'll be required to complete in-service Corps training and familiarisation. Then you may find yourself taking troops on deployment, through field exercises, physical training drills, or managing any number of vital Army functions.

During RMC Military Training, you may be required to pay a contribution towards your meals, accommodation and utilities.

Employment training

Course: RAAC Regimental Officer Basic Course (ROBC)
Duration: 26 weeks
Location: School of Armour, Puckapunyal, Vic

During this course, you’ll be taught armoured communications, driving and servicing, gunnery and tactics relevant to your allocated specialisation of either Cavalry or Tank. By the end of this course, you’ll be fully prepared to command and lead an Armoured Troop during times of competition, crisis and conflict.

This course is a demanding and high-tempo course that requires high-performing officers who are capable of rapidly analysing a situation, making a decision and then executing that decision. You’ll be required to spend significant periods of time in the field environment in austere conditions working with and commanding armoured soldiers and vehicles in a live fire setting.