Intelligence Analyst
As an Intelligence Analyst, you’ll work in a highly classified environment gathering and disseminating intelligence that will support Army operations. You’ll need to understand the enemy as well as the areas that Army operations are being conducted in. Whether you’re working in an office or on deployment with a deployed operational force, including Special Forces, you’ll take a range of measures to prevent Australia’s adversaries from acquiring intelligence about friendly forces.
What you'll do
You’ll acquire, process and analyse tactical, operational and/or strategic intelligence using sophisticated technology and software. Drawing on your high-level communication skills, you’ll also disseminate the intelligence you gather in a timely manner to your superiors and commanders. As you gain more experience, you’ll take on more responsibilities, such as planning and managing complex intelligence-related activities.
Your duties may include:
- acquiring, processing and analysing tactical, operational and/or strategic intelligence
- using active and passive measures to prevent the enemy from acquiring intelligence
- supporting specialist intelligence units (Combat, Security & Counterintelligence, Electronic Warfare, Human, Imagery and Psychological operations).
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.
Intelligence Analysts are posted to all capital cities except Hobart. You can expect to work in a major Army unit or headquarters, or within one of the Defence Intelligence establishments. You’ll also have frequent opportunities to serve overseas as your skills are constantly in demand to support ADF operations and deployments. Operations and deployments are for periods of between 6 and 8 months.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
My daily role includes researching regions and countries, researching military technologies and conducting foreign liaison.
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 55 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.
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: Introduction to Defence Intelligence Course (IDIC)
Duration: 10 days
Location: Canungra, Qld
The IDIC delivers a foundational understanding of intelligence and its principles, systems, capabilities and the role of intelligence in the military decision-making process, while providing opportunities for you to apply what you learn in a practical environment.
Note: You must achieve a Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) security clearance prior to undertaking this course.
Course: Defence Intelligence Research Analysis Course (DIRAC)
Duration: 10 days
Location: Canungra, Qld
The aim of the DIRAC is to train you in a range of thinking, intelligence research and analytical techniques, to enable military decision making and give you opportunities to test your learning in a practical environment.
Note: Course duration may vary depending on public holidays and other Army requirements.
Course: Common Intelligence Fundamentals Course-Other Ranks (CIFC-OR)
Duration: 30 days
Location: Canungra, Qld
The CIFC-OR provides the skills required of the junior ADF intelligence analysts, in applying joint intelligence processes and procedures, in well-defined and controlled situations. Course content is delivered through blended learning of online activities, instructor led discussions and practical activities.
Note: Course duration may vary depending on public holidays and other Army requirements.
Course: Land Intelligence Initial Employment Training Course (Land INT IET)
Duration: 38 days
Location: Canungra, Qld
Building on the foundation skills introduced in the DIRAC, IDIC, and CIFC-OR courses, this course trains you to be an intelligence analyst capable of being employed in a wide range of operational environments within Australia and overseas. The intelligence skills developed on this course are critical to providing commanders with the necessary intelligence to support their decision-making processes.
Note: Course duration may vary depending on public holidays and other Army requirements.
Once you have graduated from your Initial Employment Training, you’ll spend approximately 18 months consolidating and applying your intelligence skills at work in your unit. At or around that time, you’ll be eligible to attend a promotion course for Corporal and attend intelligence career courses in the various intelligence disciplines. Language training is also available for those who are interested in obtaining a language qualification. If you already speak a foreign language, you’ll be able to sit a qualification test and gain official accreditation of your language skill, which will provide you with a language bounty and additional training to improve your fluency.