Electronic Warfare Operator
As an Electronic Warfare Operator, you’ll work at the forefront of national defence. You’ll be the ears of the Army, collecting, analysing and distributing intelligence from a broad range of electronic emissions.
This is a career that doesn’t stand still. You’ll be working in situations that call for quick thinking and problem solving from the get-go. The sensitive and highly classified information you’ll acquire will provide Army operations with mission-critical tactical advantage.
What you'll do
You’ll be trained to intercept and disrupt enemy communications and determine their threat level as part of an advanced close-knit team. You’ll operate encrypted communications, utilise sensitive information systems and provide electronic warfare support to the Army and wider ADF. You’ll be required to possess a range of technical and non-technical skills with specialisation in the operation and maintenance of electronic warfare, communications equipment and facilities in support of Army electronic warfare operations.
Electronic Warfare Operators fight on an invisible battlefield to provide valuable intelligence and ensure the Army can communicate effectively. In this highly classified role, you'll operate a range of cutting-edge electronic intercepting and attack equipment in both office and field environments, at home and overseas.
Your duties may include:
- intercepting signals and communications
- operating cutting-edge technology and equipment
- disrupting enemy communications
- handling sensitive and classified information
- distributing intelligence to Army operations at home and overseas.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Army will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training to strengthen your skillset. This will help you to command and run a highly skilled team of soldiers and the employment of their equipment.
In this role, you could specialise in:
- Signals Analysis - analyse data and pass critical information to your commander
- Electronic Attack - deny, disrupt and deceive enemy communications
- Tactical Cyber Warfare - understand how networks, ICT and operating systems interact with each other in cyberspace.
As you progress in your career, you’ll have opportunities to learn foreign languages and use state-of-the-art devices to analyse communications. Promotion will be in line with your increased knowledge and responsibility for a range of tasks.
Following training, you could be employed in a number of specialist units throughout Australia. Main posting locations include:
- 7th Signals Regiment in Cabarlah, Qld
- Canberra, ACT
- Defence Force School of Signals Electronic Warfare Wing in Cabarlah, Qld.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
It’s definitely something different that you’ll never see anywhere else.
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.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 54 years.
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. Employment history and other qualifications will also be considered.
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.
For this role, you’ll need to hold a Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) clearance during training and a Positive Vetting (PV) clearance, after training, from AGSVA. You’ll also be required to pass an Australian Signals Directorate Organisational Suitability Assessment (OSA) during your initial employment training.
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: Common Signals Training Course
Duration: 54 days
Location: Defence Force School of Signals, Simpson Barracks, Macleod, Vic
In this course you’ll learn:
- foundation knowledge of Corps history
- basic skills to operate common Communication, Information Systems and Electronic Warfare (CISEW) equipment
- basic combat communications
- how to operate in-service power generation equipment.
Course: Electronic Warfare Operator
Duration: 31 weeks
Location: Defence Force School of Signals, Electronic Warfare Wing, Cabarlah, Qld
You’ll need to hold your Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) clearance from the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) to attend this training.
Later in your career, you may have the opportunity to complete further training in a range of skills and equipment courses. Skills courses can include foreign languages conducted at the Defence Force School of Languages at Laverton, Vic. While equipment, analysis and software skills courses are generally conducted at Cabarlah, Qld.