Infantry Soldier
As an Infantry Soldier you’ll work as part of a cohesive team to locate the enemy and gather intelligence through patrolling and surveillance. Once the enemy is located, infantry soldiers are the first to deploy. You’re tasked with capturing the enemy, holding ground or repelling attack using a variety of equipment and tactics while working with the support from soldiers from the Artillery, Armoured and other corps.
Infantry Soldiers train to both operate independently, and as part of Combined Arms teams with soldiers of other trades and specialties. As Infantry teams are responsible for their own security and the maintenance of fighting capability at all times, you’ll be responsible for a range of tasks.
This is an opportunity to challenge yourself and do something out of the ordinary. You’ll experience a new level of physical strength and mental fortitude, while travelling Australia and overseas, with a team of lifelong friends.
What you'll do
Get ready to challenge yourself with a hands-on role full of adventure. Become a highly skilled soldier, trained to fight the enemy at close quarters in all phases of warfare, using high-tech equipment and weaponry.
This role relies heavily on skilled tactics, effective teamwork and the ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations and environments. Whether you’re positioned on the front line of the battlefield, providing security for other units or conducting a humanitarian mission, you’ll be relied upon to perform your role in challenging conditions, night and day. No matter the situation, you and your team will be expected to use the skills you’ve learnt to complete your mission.
This is a demanding role, so it's important you're prepared both mentally and physically. You’ll be working in unique environments where no two days are the same, but every day will be rewarding as you play a key role in protecting Australia.
Your duties may include:
- close combat and application of lethal and non-lethal force
- offensive and defensive operations
- locating enemies by gathering intelligence through patrol and surveillance
- seizing and holding ground from enemy forces
- providing security for Army units and vital assets
- humanitarian assistance missions
- international training, advise and assist missions.
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.
As your career progresses, you may use heavy weapons such as mortars, anti-armour weapons and Mag 58 General Support Machine Guns. Your equipment could include drones, airframes, small craft, Protected Mobility Vehicles and Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
Throughout your career, there are opportunities to conduct training and development to enhance your skills. Within any company of a battalion , you could gain additional skills and progress to a:
- driver
- vehicle crew commander
- machine gunner
- vehicle gunner
- combat communicator.
As you gain experience you may also be trained to serve in the Support Company of an Infantry Battalion where you will specialise as:
- sniper
- direct fire support weapon (Anti-Armour and Machine Gun) crew member
- mortarman
- reconnaissance
- signaller.
Upon completion of your Initial Employment Training (IET), your first posting as an Infantry Soldier will likely be to one of the Infantry Battalions in the Royal Australian Regiment. Each of these Battalions has a dedicated role such as Mechanised, Amphibious, Littoral or Motorised Infantry.
Primary posting locations include:
- Brisbane, Qld
- Darwin, NT
- Townsville, Qld
Infantry Soldiers can be employed in the ADF and Special Operations units around Australia and overseas, and there may be opportunities to post to other locations based on service needs, career development, and individual preferences.
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 for males, 58 years for females.
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): 45
- Push-ups: 8
- Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 45
- Push-ups: 15
- Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.
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 for males and 2 years for females. 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: Infantry Course
Duration: 16 weeks
Location: School of Infantry, Singleton, NSW
Under the guidance of world-class Army instructors, you’ll learn infantry tactics, weapons and equipment to engage in close quarters battle in the field and urban environment. You’ll also learn how to shoot, move and communicate all at once in a highly skilled team within a combat environment.
Once you’ve finished your Initial Employment Training (IET), you’ll be assigned to an Army unit.
Throughout your career, you’ll also have the opportunity to develop your skills with specialist training as a section leader, signaller, mortarman, patrolman, sniper or heavy weapons specialist.