Environmental Health Assistant
As an Environmental Health Assistant, you’ll be responsible for providing healthcare to support and maintain the health and wellbeing of Army members. You’ll work in and around Army camps minimising the risks posed by climate, non-combat injuries, unsanitary conditions and vector-borne diseases.
What you'll do
You’ll assist commanders in the prevention and control of disease and non-battle injuries to ensure ADF members can maintain a high level of health and fitness to carry out their duties.
Your training will equip you with the skills to study and assess environmental and occupational health threats, then implement effective control procedures.
Your duties may include:
- assessing environmental and occupational health threats by gathering and evaluating information obtained through health intelligence sources, on-site surveys and health surveillance
- determining and implementing counter measures to minimise environmental and occupational health threats including vector/pest control, water quality analysis, food safety, waste management and sanitation
- conducting health surveillance and using health surveillance data to assess effectiveness of counter measures and plan investigations and health surveys
- conducting surveys and performing testing to assess environmental and occupational health threats and counter measures during deployment
- advising on the full range of Environmental Health Assistant issues to medical and non-medical personnel to help promote health and prevent casualties.
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.
Following training, you’ll be posted to one of the Health Battalions in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin or Townsville. You may also be deployed to temporary facilities on combat, disaster relief, peacekeeping and aid provision operations across Australia or overseas.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
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 56 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 be considered. You’ll have a Careers Coach who you can speak to about your options.
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.
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: Preventative Medicine Basic Course
Duration: 6 weeks (approximately)
Location: Army Logistics Training Centre, Bonegilla, Vic
This course will provide you with theory and practical training in preventative medicine. Training, conducted in both classroom and field environments, will cover:
- workplace health and safety
- water quality
- food safety
- waste management
- vector control
- control of communicable diseases.