Mechanical Engineer
As a Mechanical Engineer, you’ll be an integral part of a team of specialists managing the procurement, maintenance and modification of Army’s modern ground-based mechanical equipment.
What you'll do
In addition to making technical engineering decisions, you’ll also be exposed to the full range of general service roles such as a staff officer, logistics planner or instructor. Throughout your career you’ll be given many training and development opportunities that will enable you to perform in any environment under all types of conditions.
Your duties may include:
- managing the maintenance of a fleet of Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicles in a cavalry unit
- planning maintenance for a brigade’s vehicles in a field workshop
- defining the technical specifications of the next generation of Army’s equipment.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, the Army will provide you with leadership, management, and specialist skills training to develop your ability to effectively manage your teams. You’ll also be provided with training opportunities to further develop your role-related expertise. You could be offered further education through sponsored master’s level study conducted at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), or a range of other international universities, where you’ll learn military engineering and gain skills and knowledge that will advance your career. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and enable you to become an influential leader in the Army.
As an officer in the Army, you may also undertake a posting to an Any Officer role during your career, such as instructor/training roles and staff officer roles. This experience helps you broaden your skill set and prepare for more senior roles.
Following training, you could be posted to any ground-based workshop in the Army. The majority of these units are located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville. There are also many positions within the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering in Bonegilla and Bandiana, Vic as well as the Land Engineering Agency in Melbourne.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
To be given the opportunity to lead a group of soldiers is very rewarding.
To be given the opportunity to lead a group of soldiers is very rewarding.
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 to join ADFA from 16 years of age and must be at least 17 on the day of entry. The maximum age to join is 51 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.
To be eligible for admission to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) at ADFA, you’ll need to have completed Year 12 with passes in English, Maths, a Physics-based subject and one other Board of Secondary School Studies registered (or state equivalent) subject and obtained an entrance rank high enough to qualify for entry into the relevant degree program.
Note: As well as applying to the Army for entry, you’ll also need to apply to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for entry to the University of New South Wales (UNSW). For more information, visit the UAC website or our ADFA page.
While at ADFA, you won’t incur a HECS-HELP debt as the Army will cover the cost of your course up to the Commonwealth Supported Place amount. This includes the higher costs associated with ADFA studies and may also cover any necessary equipment and education materials.
Officer Cadets can leave ADFA at any time within their first 2 years. Please note, if you choose to leave university, you'll be expected to reimburse the ADF for the academic training provided to date (i.e. you are not liable for the full cost if you leave before completion of the course). However, if you leave university but continue your career in the ADF by transferring to a Direct Entry role, you will not be expected to reimburse the ADF in this case.
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 appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 9 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. There is a 2-year grace period from appointment where you may resign, without any obligation. 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 any outstanding IMPS obligation and provide a minimum of 3 months’ notice.
You'll attend ADFA to complete your university studies over 3 years. You'll also complete the following military training around your study commitments.
Course: Year One Familiarisation Training (YOFT)
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT
YOFT is Initial Military Training to prepare you for life in the ADF. It's made up of the fundamental basic lessons and requirements to allow you to thrive and succeed in your new career.
Training includes:
- leadership
- ceremonial
- field training
- physical training
- adventurous training
- weapon training.
Course: Joint Military Education and Training (JMET)
Duration: 10 hours per week
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT
ADFA's JMET program establishes foundational military knowledge for Trainee Officers (TOs) in the profession of arms.
JMET has 5 core modules:
- Foundational Military Skills
- National Security Policy and Strategy
- Character Leadership and Ethics
- Technology and Capability
- Joint Warfare.
JMET integrates the professional military education of TOs with the academic program to establish foundational skills and historical, philosophical and technical literacy. The ADFA program of JMET and academic studies encourages curiosity and critical thinking so that TOs understand their role as leaders within the ADF, and their service's contribution to the Joint Force.
JMET training:
- character, leadership and ethics
- drill and ceremonial
- field craft
- joint warfare
- national security, policy and strategy
- physical training
- technology and capability
- weapons training.
Course: Single Service Training (SST)
Duration: During academic semester breaks
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT
Army SST gives you the opportunity to experience life in the Army and gain core Army leadership, technical and field skills.
- Combat fitness.
- Field craft.
- Leadership training.
- Radio communications.
- Work experience.
- Weapon handling.
After graduating from ADFA you'll join your direct-entry peers at the Royal Military College - Duntroon to complete the Officer Commissioning Program (OCP).
Having already completed the equivalent of the first semester of the OCP at ADFA, you'll join your direct entry peers for the final 2 semesters, each 6 months in duration.
Course: Officer Commissioning Program
Duration: 12 months
Location: Royal Military College - Duntroon, Canberra, ACT
While attending RMC-D, you'll be appointed as a Staff Cadet, organised into a Battalion known as the Corps of Staff Cadets. As a Staff Cadet, you'll be immersed in military life and culture. You'll already have completed the equivalent of the first semester of the OCP during ADFA, therefore, you'll only need to complete the final 2 semesters of the OCP, each approximately 6 months in duration.
The training program for the final 2 semesters includes:
- Foundation Leadership: will prepare you for your first appointment through exposure to military leadership and applied leadership
- Foundation Warfighting: develop knowledge of foundation warfighting in the contemporary operating environment through platoon-level tactical actions
- Foundation Military Planning: learn about critical thinking and planning in an operational context and command experience in a ‘simulated' environment
- Foundation Command: gain the necessary skills and knowledge to support training and administrative processes in a unit environment using your ethical framework.
After graduating as a Lieutenant, you'll be assigned to one of the Army's specialised branches, known as Corps, where you'll put what you've learned into practice. Initially, you'll be required to complete in-service Corps training and familiarisation. Then you may find yourself taking troops on deployment, through field exercises, physical training drills, or managing any number of vital Army functions.
During RMC Military Training, you may be required to pay a contribution towards your meals, accommodation and utilities.
Course: Logistics Officers Basic Course
Duration: 10 weeks
Location: Army Logistics Training Centre, Bandiana, Vic
You’ll be introduced to the Corps methodology and practices. This course will equip you to fulfil the demands of your first appointments within the Corps and concentrates on administration and field operations of Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) units and other logistics units.
Qualified engineers, in a variety of disciplines, are an essential element of RAEME and you’ll be employed in a wide variety of positions. On completion of your studies and graduation from the Royal Military College - Duntroon (RMC) and to Corps officer basic course, you’ll be employed as a platoon commander within a maintenance unit where you’ll be responsible for the technical and administrative needs of your platoon of tradespersons.
A variety of appointments will follow giving you increasing responsibility and authority commensurate with your experience. You may be selected for overseas training in areas ranging from reliability and maintainability techniques to a master’s degree.
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 57 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.
The minimum requirement for entry into this role is an engineering degree permitting graduate membership to Engineers Australia (EA) as a professional engineer in the following preferred disciplines:
- Marine / Ocean
- Mechanical
- Mechatronics.
Degrees other than those listed will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
You can apply if you’re in the final year of your 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree and have your completed third year academic transcript. You’ll then need successful results in your final semester before your appointment to the role.
Degree qualified officers normally start their careers at one rank higher than non-graduate officers.
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.
Male
- Push-ups: 8
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
Female
- Push-ups: 4
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 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 appointed 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 and provide a minimum of 3 months’ notice.
Course: Specialist Service Officer First Appointment Course (SSO FAC)
Duration: 25 days
Location: Royal Military College – Duntroon, Canberra, ACT
You’ll learn fundamental knowledge of:
- leadership and military justice
- weapons handling
- command and control
- unit and personnel administration
- basic military skills
- the ideals of officer behaviour
- attitudes necessary for future employment.
This course is delivered in 2 parts for both full-time and part-time (Reserve) Officers.
- Part 1 – 10 days
- Part 2 – 15 days.
Course: Logistics Officers Basic Course
Duration: 10 weeks
Location: Army Logistics Training Centre, Bandiana, Vic
You’ll be introduced to the Corps methodology and practices. This course will equip you to fulfil the demands of your first appointments within the Corps and concentrates on administration and field operations of Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) units and other logistics units.
Qualified engineers, in a variety of disciplines, are an essential element of RAEME and you’ll be employed in a wide variety of positions. On completion of your studies and graduation from the Royal Military College – Duntroon (RMC) and to Corps officer basic course, you’ll be employed as a platoon commander within a maintenance unit where you’ll be responsible for the technical and administrative needs of your platoon of tradespersons.
A variety of appointments will follow giving you increasing responsibility and authority commensurate with your experience. You may be selected for overseas training in areas ranging from reliability and maintainability techniques to a master’s degree.
Throughout your military career, you’ll have opportunities to undertake formal military and technical courses to broaden your technical competence and be eligible for promotion. These may include:
Course: Master of Capability Management (Australian Command and Staff Course - Capability Management (ACSC(CM))
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra
Availability for approximately 10 Majors/Lieutenant Colonels each year.
Course: Master of Science in Military Vehicle Technology
Location: Royal Military College Shrivenham UK
Availability for 2 Captains/Majors each year.
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 60 years, less the Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS).
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.
With Defence University Sponsorship (DUS), you won’t incur a HELP or HECS-HELP debt as the Army will cover the cost of your course up to the Commonwealth Supported Place amount. This may also cover any necessary equipment and education materials.
For Army DUS sponsorship, you’ll need to have completed one year of an Australian university Engineers Australia accredited Bachelor of Engineering degree majoring in Marine/Ocean, Mechanical or Mechatronics prior to receiving sponsorship, so it’s recommended that you apply for DUS after you’ve completed your first semester and have received your results. Your sponsorship starts from the date of your appointment into the Army, it doesn’t cover any previous semesters of study.
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.
Male
- Push-ups: 8
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
Female
- Push-ups: 4
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 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 appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS). Once you've graduated, your IMPS full-time service will be your number of years of university sponsorship plus one year (minimum of 4 years’ service). Subsequent periods of service or open-ended appointment 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: Specialist Service Officer First Appointment Course (SSO FAC)
Duration: 25 days
Location: Royal Military College – Duntroon, Canberra, ACT
You’ll learn fundamental knowledge of:
- leadership and military justice
- weapons handling
- command and control
- unit and personnel administration
- basic military skills
- the ideals of officer behaviour
- attitudes necessary for future employment.
This course is delivered in 2 parts for both full-time and part-time (Reserve) Officers.
- Part 1 – 10 days
- Part 2 – 15 days.
Course: Logistics Officers Basic Course
Duration: 10 weeks
Location: Army Logistics Training Centre, Bandiana, Vic
You’ll be introduced to the Corps methodology and practices. This course will equip you to fulfil the demands of your first appointments within the Corps and concentrates on administration and field operations of Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) units and other logistics units.
Qualified engineers, in a variety of disciplines, are an essential element of RAEME and you’ll be employed in a wide variety of positions. On completion of your studies and graduation from the Royal Military College – Duntroon (RMC) and to Corps officer basic course, you’ll be employed as a platoon commander within a maintenance unit where you’ll be responsible for the technical and administrative needs of your platoon of tradespersons.
A variety of appointments will follow giving you increasing responsibility and authority commensurate with your experience. You may be selected for overseas training in areas ranging from reliability and maintainability techniques to a master’s degree.