Combat Medic
As a Combat Medic, you could find yourself as the first responder for medical emergencies or delivering ongoing care to keep Army members fit and ready to jump into action.
You’ll work with front line units in training establishments, hospitals and deployed medical facilities to support soldiers, as well as civilians, in a variety of environments.
What you'll do
You’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing emergency care, inpatient clinical care, primary healthcare, and mental health first aid in a range of environments.
As part of your role, you’ll use emergency vehicles including purpose-built light and armoured ambulances, helicopters and boats to provide every aspect of healthcare to support and maintain the health and wellbeing of Army members.
Your duties may include:
- caring for patients in both in-patient and outpatient settings
- basic emergency response
- promoting health and wellbeing for personnel
- health administration and health logistic support
- participating in the deployment of an operational support facility
- performing advanced life support
- working independently and remotely from higher level medical care and support
- developing health plans for activities
- managing and coordinating in the field or health facilities
- day-to-day running of a medical facility
- conducting health training
- protecting the rights of individuals and groups.
Following training, you could be posted to one of the many Army bases across Australia, or to a specialist facility for specific roles. Medics are mainly employed in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville.
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Requirements and training
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.
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.
You’ll also need to demonstrate the requisite literacy and numeracy standard set by the Australian Core Skills Framework and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s English language standards before you can commence the training. This is so you can be eligible for registration as an Enrolled Nurse.
Overseas education
To be eligible, you’ll need to have completed 5 years full-time equivalent education where you were taught and assessed in English, in a recognised country. You’ll have a Careers Coach you can ask for more information.
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.
You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 6 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.
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 accomplished. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
Key components of the course include:
- Physical Fitness: Structured training to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness, preparing you for the physical demands of Army life.
- Field Craft: Learn how to live and operate in field conditions, including camouflage, movement techniques, and working in outdoor environments.
- Weapons Handling and Marksmanship: Safe handling, maintenance, and use of Army-issued weapons, and participating in live-fire exercises.
- Drill and Discipline: Develop attention to detail, teamwork and discipline through parade drill and military routine.
- First Aid and Battlefield Casualty Care: Gain essential life-saving skills and learn how to respond to injuries in both training and operational environments.
- Military Skills and Knowledge: Introduction to Army structure, values, customs, and basic soldier responsibilities.
- Resilience and Teamwork: Build mental resilience and learn to work effectively within a team in high-pressure situations.
On successful completion of the Army Recruit Course, you’ll participate in a Graduation Parade and have the opportunity to invite family and friends to view the parade. You’ll then move on to your Initial Employment Training (IET), where you’ll learn the specific skills required for your chosen role.
Course: Joint Medic Training Course
Duration: 18 months
Location: ADF School of Health, Bonegilla, Vic
As an Army Medic, you’ll undertake comprehensive employment training over 18 months using a combination of military and civilian contracted staff.
The course will include:
- an overview of the history and structure of the ADF health services
- Geneva Conventions
- health logistics
- infection control principles and practice
- primary health care
- resuscitation bay duties
- pre-hospital clinical care
- ADF health documentation
- specific treatment protocol policies
- tactical combat casualty care
- other micro skills associated with health care delivery within the military.
The training will lead to a Diploma in Nursing (Enrolled/Div 2) qualification and national registration as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
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.
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 be eligible as a qualified medic, you’ll need to hold registration as a Nurse (Division 1 or 2) or as a Paramedic with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
The Recognition of Prior Learning/Recognition of Current Competency process will be completed prior to a Letter of Offer (LOO) being sent. The LOO will detail any competency gap training required to be qualified. This gap training is undertaken as part of initial trade training.
Regardless of civilian qualifications held, you'll be required to complete military specific medical contextualisation training as part of your initial employment training.
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.
You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 4 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.
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 accomplished. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
Key components of the course include:
- Physical Fitness: Structured training to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness, preparing you for the physical demands of Army life.
- Field Craft: Learn how to live and operate in field conditions, including camouflage, movement techniques, and working in outdoor environments.
- Weapons Handling and Marksmanship: Safe handling, maintenance, and use of Army-issued weapons, and participating in live-fire exercises.
- Drill and Discipline: Develop attention to detail, teamwork and discipline through parade drill and military routine.
- First Aid and Battlefield Casualty Care: Gain essential life-saving skills and learn how to respond to injuries in both training and operational environments.
- Military Skills and Knowledge: Introduction to Army structure, values, customs, and basic soldier responsibilities.
- Resilience and Teamwork: Build mental resilience and learn to work effectively within a team in high-pressure situations.
On successful completion of the Army Recruit Course, you’ll participate in a Graduation Parade and have the opportunity to invite family and friends to view the parade. You’ll then move on to your Initial Employment Training (IET), where you’ll learn the specific skills required for your chosen role.
Course: Joint Medic Training Course
Duration: 18 months
Location: ADF School of Health, Bonegilla, Vic
As an Army Medic, you’ll undertake comprehensive employment training over 18 months using a combination of military and civilian contracted staff.
The course will include:
- an overview of the history and structure of the ADF health services
- Geneva Conventions
- health logistics
- infection control principles and practice
- primary health care
- resuscitation bay duties
- pre-hospital clinical care
- ADF health documentation
- specific treatment protocol policies
- tactical combat casualty care
- other micro skills associated with health care delivery within the military.
The training will lead to a Diploma in Nursing (Enrolled/Div 2) qualification and national registration as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
If you’re already an AHPRA registered Nurse or Paramedic, you may be able to fast-track your training to approximately 16 weeks, dependent on your recognition of prior learning.