You need to be an Australian citizen to be eligible for the ADF Gap Year program.

You must be aged between 17 and 24 years of age at the time of your appointment and be at least 18 years old by completion of military training.

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

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.

You’ll need to have either completed Year 12 with passes in English and 3 other subjects that meet Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirements. or be in your final year and on track to pass them all.

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.

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.

Your Gap Year experience will commence at the start of the year and will conclude 12 months later. Subsequent periods of service in the Regular or Reserve ADF may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may request discharge at any time by providing 21 days’ notice.

If you are currently or have previously served in the ADF or foreign service, you’re not eligible for Gap Year. You must be an Australian Citizen to be eligible for the Gap Year Program. In addition, entry is restricted to people who have not previously participated in the ADF Gap Year Program, unless the participant exited previous programs early for compassionate or compelling reasons.

As part of your full-time Army Officer Gap Year, you will complete the coursework required to be a Commissioned Officer in the Army Reserve.

Course: Army Officer Commissioning Program
Duration: Approximately 6 months
Locations: Kapooka, NSW and University Regiment locations across Australia

The first 6 months of your Gap Year will involve your Army Officer training. The University Regiments from the Army Reserve will be responsible for your training and are located around Australia. Based on service needs, you'll be posted to a state-based university regiment which is a training establishment set up to deliver officer training. During this training, you’ll learn military skills like fieldcraft, drill, training, military justice and written and oral communication.

After finishing your Gap Year program, you’ll be fully qualified to serve part-time as an officer in the Army Reserve. If you want to continue your exciting career as a full-time Army officer, you can apply to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) or the Royal Military College (RMC) Duntroon.

Module 0: Army Initial Foundation Training
Duration: 2.5 Days
Location: Holsworthy Barracks, NSW

This initial short course covers basic information on the Army and our expectations of you. This course is delivered as a mixture of face to face and on-line learning that covers service conditions, Army history and traditions and organisational induction topics. You will also complete Character, Leadership and Ethics training. Depending on the course schedules, this course will be delivered before or after you complete your initial foundation training at Kapooka.

Module 1A: Army Initial Foundation Training
Duration: 22 Days
Location: 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Kapooka, NSW

You’ll develop the Foundation Soldier behaviours, attitudes, skills, and knowledge (BASK) required for service in the Army. You’ll learn weapon handling, communications, first aid and military dress and bearing to set you up for further training.

Module 1B: All Corps Individual Skills
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: University Regiment locations across Australia

During this course, you’ll continue to develop the individual skills and professional behaviour required as a foundation to be an Officer in the Australian Army. You’ll develop skills participating as a member of a small team operating in a threat environment including:

• the safe and effective use of individual weapons, pyrotechnics and equipment, including night fighting equipment
• leveraging Land Combat Foundation Field and Battle Craft skills
• combat first aid in a tactical environment
• demonstrating Navigation Skills in the field and;
• participating in a Basic Fitness Assessment.

Module 2: Army Small Team Leading
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: University Regiment locations across Australia

During this course, you’ll learn the basic principles for leading and managing small teams in a military context. You’ll focus on developing foundation skills required to command, lead and operate a small team. Including:

• planning and leading small team operations and;
• participating in a military specific fitness assessment.

Module 3: Foundation Leadership
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: University Regiment locations across Australia

During this course, you’ll learn to apply ADF leadership, Defence Values and ethical framework required for junior officers in the Australian Army. Including:

• applying leadership in an Army context
• complete the Army Foundation Instructor Training program. This involves the delivery of theory and equipment lessons and conducting assessments
• managing a platoon and supervising training
• applying the Military Risk Management Application process and;
• supervising maintenance activities.

Module 4: Foundation Warfighting
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: University Regiment locations across Australia

During this course, you’ll develop your knowledge of foundation warfighting on land. Including:

• interpreting enemy tactics
• explaining the Australian Army's conduct of foundation warfighting and;
• commanding a platoon on conventional operations.

Module 5: Foundation Planning
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: University Regiment locations across Australia

During this course, you’ll develop your ability to critically think and plan platoon tasks on land. You’ll be introduced to the deliberate planning processes in offensive and defensive environments. Including:

• explaining why military leaders plan
• applying rational thinking and problem solving
• applying operational and tactical considerations during deliberate planning
• understanding enemy operations
• delivering planning briefs.

Module 6: Foundation Command
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: University Regiment locations across Australia

During this course, you’ll be enabled to command, manage and train a Platoon or Troop. You’ll confirm the skills and knowledge you have gained over the course of your training by being assessed as a Platoon Commander of 30 troops (including an introduction to Domestic Security and Response type operations). This will include:

• applying considerations for domestic security and response operations
• applying Military Risk Management
• conducting live-fire range safety appointments
• participating in customs and traditions of Army's Officer Corps and describing the role of an Army Officer in ceremonial activities
• complete the Permanent Basic Range qualification. This qualification enables you to conduct live firing training on weapons ranges.

After completing the Army Officer Commissioning Program you’ll demonstrate the characteristics, conduct and bearing of an Australian Army Officer and be able to lead a Platoon or Troop of about 30 soldiers. You’ll have the skills and attributes needed to continue further training within your corps and specialisation.

Prior to completing the Officer Commissioning Program, you’ll be appointed to one of the Army's specialised branches, known as Corps. For example, the Transport Corps is responsible for transport of Army personnel and equipment via land, air and sea. Corps allocation is based on performance, preference and position availability where you live.

Upon graduation, you'll be posted to an Army unit where you’ll complete your Corps training and be mentored by the full-time officers within the unit as you put your new-found skills and knowledge to the test in barracks and on exercise.

At the conclusion of your Gap Year, there are several options where you can continue your career in the Army including:

• apply to attend the Royal Military College - Duntroon or the Australian Defence Force Academy and become a full-time Army officer
• posting to an Army Reserve unit in your home state to continue your career part-time.