Aviation - ADF Gap Year
As a member of Army Aviation, you’ll play a critical role in providing the Army with its mobility and dedicated aerial reconnaissance. With world-class training, you’ll be allocated to either Aviation Groundcrew or Aviation Operations Specialist where you’ll join an experienced team and have plenty of opportunities to put your new skills to the test.
What you'll do
You’ll learn to support and provide mobility for soldiers and equipment in the battle zone, as well as conducting specialist armed reconnaissance, firepower support, surveillance, in a combined, joint or interagency environment.
Depending on your allocation, your duties may include:
Aviation Groundcrew:
- preparing explosive ordnance for loading to aircraft weapon systems
- loading, unloading and replenishing aircraft weapon sub systems with Explosive Ordnance
- performing fault diagnosis on aircraft weapon sub systems
- performing fuelling tasks on multiple aircraft types
- driving, operating and maintaining specialist vehicles
- marshalling fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
Aviation Operations Specialist:
- preparing, configuring and operating Combat Radio Systems (CRS), Aviation Mission Systems (AMS), field power generators, cryptographic equipment
- establishing and maintaining local area networks and gateways
- establishing and maintaining flight following procedures in support of aircraft operations and activating Search and Rescue (SAR) elements
- loading cryptographic encryption, precision GPS codes to Army aircraft
- setting up and operating within Aviation Command Posts (CP) including performing ground to air communications with Army Aircraft
- driving, operating and maintaining specialist vehicles.
After finishing your Gap Year program, you can choose to continue your full-time career in the Army or change to a part-time role in the Army Reserve.
There is no obligation to serve in the ADF beyond the 12-month Gap Year program period. You can take your new skills and experiences to gain an edge in future careers outside the ADF.
Following training, you could be posted to a unit anywhere in Australia. You’ll have opportunities to put your new skills to the test while making friends and gaining experience that will last you a lifetime. While your surroundings may change, your job role remains consistent and is essential to the effective operation of the Army.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Requirements and training
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 enlistment or appointment. For Army, you must be 18 years of age by the completion of your Initial Employment Training.
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.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 4
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 8
- 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.
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.
Course: Army Recruit Course
Duration: 13 weeks
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW
During training, you'll take part in physical training, weapon handling and shooting, first aid, drill and field craft. You'll be challenged both mentally and physically.
Although it can be demanding, most recruits gain a sense of achievement, purpose and confidence during basic training, and on completion of the course feel justifiably proud of what they have achieved. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
As Aviation Groundcrew you'll complete:
Course: Forward Arming and Refuelling Point Operator Course
Duration: 80 days
Location: Oakey, Qld
This course incorporates all aspects of aircraft refuelling and arming operation both in the barracks and field environment.
As Aviation Operations Specialist you'll complete:
Course: Command Post Operator Course
Duration: 88 days
Location: Army Aviation Training Centre, Oakey, Qld
This training involves Aviation Command Post Operations, Communications and Computer Operations and maintaining working communications systems on all Army Aviation aircraft.