Chef - ADF Gap Year
As a Chef you’ll spend 12 months having a direct influence on the morale and wellbeing of not only Army members but Navy and Airforce as well. You’ll prepare, cook and serve meals both in field kitchens, Navy vessels and Army establishments to meet the dietary needs of Defence members. Your responsibilities and duties extend far beyond just preparing meals.
What you'll do
Good food is a significant morale booster in the Army. A delicious and nutritious meal can greatly enhance the well-being and spirits of soldiers, especially when they are in challenging environments.
In this 12-month experience, you’ll get a taste for the role of a full-time Army Chef and learn all the skills you’ll need to prepare a range of meals including entrees, main courses, sweets and more. It's a demanding yet rewarding role that directly contributes to the effectiveness and well-being of military members.
On occasions, you’ll also cook for functions. High standards are essential with great pride taken in the preparation of foods according to nutritional, dietary and cultural needs.
Your duties may include:
- working a commercial kitchen, field environment or occasionally at functions
- preparing and cooking high-value nutritious meals for large groups of people consisting of soups, entrees, main courses, sweets, cakes, and pastries
- food safety
- knife handling
- menu-based catering.
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.
You’ll conduct your recruit course at Kapooka before moving to HMAS Cerberus, Vic to conduct trade training.
Once trained, you can be posted to units throughout Australia including:
- Amberley, Qld
- Brisbane, Qld
- Darwin, NT
- Sydney, NSW
- Townsville, Qld.
You'll find out where you will be posted during your Initial Employment Training (IET).
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 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.
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.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
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.
Course: ADF Catering Operators Course
Duration: 27 weeks
Location: ADF School of Catering, HMAS Cerberus, Westernport, Vic
Holmesglen Institute of TAFE in partnership with ADFSC delivers the Initial Employment Training (IET) for chef trainees. Initial chefs will be signed up as apprentices by Apprenticeships Victoria.
IET provides both practical and theoretical instruction in all aspects of cookery and kitchen activities.
- Kitchen safety.
- Hygiene.
- Knife handling, care and maintenance.
- Cooking techniques.
- Food inspection, preparation and storage.
- Food decoration and presentation.
- Meat recognition and handling.
- Field/deployment cookery which will include siting and establishment of a field kitchen, tentage and camouflage, and the operation and maintenance of field catering equipment.
Upon completion of IET, you'll be awarded a Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery).
Subject to completion of 3 years’ service as a chef and all relevant training, including successful completion of the ADF Chef's Workplace Journal, you'll be awarded chef trade papers.