In the Army you'll get paid a good salary from day one regardless of your age, experience or qualifications; and your salary increases as you progress through training.

In addition to your salary you could receive a variety of allowances specific to your service - plus superannuation at a far higher rate than you're likely to find in the civilian world.

When you first join the Army and while studying for your degree at the university of your choice, you will be paid:

With 4 years to graduation: $35,326 per year
With 3 years to graduation: $41,606 per year
With 2 years to graduation: $47,886 per year
In final year: $54,166 per year

Your salary on completion of military and employment training will be: $112,081 per year.

Your salary will continue to increase based on your rank and the number of years of service completed in that rank. Your pay grade may also increase following the acquisition of additional skills and completion of further training.

In addition to this package you will receive free medical and dental care, substantial housing and accommodation subsidies.

Refer to the Salary Scales for further details.

Applicants must be at least 17 years of age and able to complete the Initial Minimum Period of Service before reaching Compulsory Retirement Age (60).

Applicants will not be allowed to enter the ADF until they achieve a minimum of 17 years of age, however they may be able to initiate the application process from 16 years and six months of age.

Applicants must have completed at least one year of a 5 year degree; or be in, or the first year of a four year post graduate dental degree.

Full fee paying students can apply for Army Undergraduate Scheme and GMS entry, however sponsorship funding is limited to the equivalent of full time student contribution band rate for a Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS) only. The remainder of the cost of a full fee degree is the member’s responsibility

To be enlisted or appointed, you must be medically and physically fit for entry to your chosen occupation. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.

You will also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment before appointment.

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.

Undergraduates will be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service equalling the length of sponsorship, times two, plus an additional 365 days.

The Job Opportunities Assessment (JOA) is completed as part of the application process to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Some jobs may also require you to complete a further evaluation at a later date.

The JOA is used by Defence to establish suitability for ADF entry, and then identify jobs that best match your abilities.

Further information about the JOA can be found in the Guide to the Job Opportunities Assessment for the ADF.

To get a feel for the types of questions that are used in the Job Opportunities Assessment and how they will look on your screen some examples can be found in the Job Opportunities Assessment Example Questions.

To serve in the ADF you must be an Australian Citizen.

If you are a permanent resident of Australia, the ADF may consider a temporary deferral of the citizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who meets all the citizenship requirements, and then only in exceptional circumstances. You will be required to obtain Australian Citizenship as early as possible following enlistment or appointment.

Find out more in our Citizenship page or ask your local ADF Careers Centre.

The Department of Defence requires ADF employees to have a security clearance appropriate to their employment.

A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and if required, interviews, enables the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability for a security clearance.

The minimum security clearance level required is Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1), and current policy requires applicants to have a checkable background for the previous 10 years.

This means applicants must provide credible referees (non-family members) who are able to provide information about the applicant covering an extended period of time. Required information for an NV1 includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Residence
• Employment
• Education
• Financial information
• Travel

Some ADF jobs may require a higher level of security clearance such as Negative Vetting Level 2 (NV2) or Positive Vetting (PV). Your individual circumstances will determine the number and complexity of the questions and the supporting documents required for these levels.

Australian Citizenship is a requirement for a security clearance and a clearance will only be granted to a non-citizen in exceptional circumstances.

The security clearance is critical to an applicant's successful progression through the recruiting process. It is strongly recommended that all applicants action the Security Clearance Package (ePack) and provide the required documentation without delay to provide the best opportunity to commence training and be employed in their preferred employment category.

For more detailed information on the security vetting process and specific clearance level requirements set by AGSVA, please refer to the AGSVA website.

Support will be provided by DFR during the initial application process.

The Specialist Service Officer (SSO) course is conducted at the Royal Military College - Duntroon and provides Regular and Reserve Force SSOs with fundamental knowledge of leadership, command and control, unit and personnel administration, basic military skills and the ideals of officer behaviour and attitudes necessary for future employment.

The ARA course is 42 days of training and currently conducted in the first half of the training year.

All trainees attending training at RMC are required to participate in an Initial Fitness Assessment (IFA) on arrival at RMC.

SSOs must complete IFA for both modules. This is an entry level requirement for all courses conducted at RMC. The IFA is based on a shuttle run, push ups and sit ups and is designed to determine whether trainees are at the minimum required standard to complete training at RMC. Due to the unique nature of training at RMC, trainees who do not demonstrate the base line levels of the assessment may be withdrawn from training and RTU. If you do not pass the IFA, you will be medically reviewed by the RMC Doctor and you will be advised if you are able to continue with training.

For further details on physical fitness standards refer to Physical Fitness Standards for Entry into the ADF.

You will attend the Logistic Officer Basic course at the Army Logistic Training Centre in Wodonga, Victoria. Logistic courses are offered to broaden the logistic and military skills of the officer. The Logistic Officers Basic Course is completed after the SSO Course and is a pre-requisite for attendance at all further courses. Further logistic courses will be offered with career progression.