Mechatronic and Electrical Engineer
As a Mechatronic and Electrical Engineer, you’ll be an integral part of a team of specialists responsible for the procurement, maintenance, management and modification of the Army’s modern electronic equipment.
What you'll do
Following training, you’ll likely be employed as a Troop Commander in a workshop. You’ll learn about Army’s trades, equipment, maintenance systems and administration. You’re likely to perform a range of other roles over the course of your career. For example, you could be employed as Workshop Commander within a Signals Unit providing command and leadership to the soldiers who maintain satellite communication systems, or as an Operations Officer within a Field Workshop, planning the maintenance of a Brigade’s mission-essential equipment. You could even work as part of a team defining the technical specifications of the next generation of Army’s night vision materiel as an Engineering Officer. In addition to making technical engineering decisions, you’ll also be exposed to the full range of general service roles such as Staff Officer, Logistics Planner and Instructor.
Your duties may include:
- managing Army’s maintenance workforce in repairing, diagnosing and modifying Army’s equipment
- planning and delivering effective maintenance and logistics support to Army Units
- reviewing and understanding maintenance governance and regulations to provide tailored maintenance advise in support of decision making
- working within a project team to provide the engineering and technical services required to support the delivery of Army’s capability.
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. 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.
In addition, the Army sponsors your membership of Engineers Australia (EA) and participation in a Graduate Development Program run in co-operation with EA. Through participation in this program, you could achieve Chartered Professional Engineer status.
Following training, you could be posted to any of Army’s ground-based Workshops. Most of these units are based in Adelaide, SA, Brisbane and Townsville, Qld and Darwin, NT. 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, Vic.
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Problem solving is part of my day. It’s what I was trained to do and what I love.
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 developed course, 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: 11 weeks
Location: Army Logistics Training Centre, Bandiana, Vic
This course introduces you to the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) Corps’ methodology and practices. It will also equip you to fulfil the demands of your first appointments within the RAEME Corps, concentrating on administration and field operations of RAEME units and other logistics units.
Course: RAEME Officer Basic Course – Ground
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Bonegilla, Vic
The course further develops the skills gained during the Logistic Officer Basic Course by introducing technical aspects of life within a Workshop.
Those who complete Engineering as their degree at ADFA will conduct a further 12 months back at ADFA to complete their studies prior to their first posting and attending LOBC.
Over the course of your military career, you’ll undertake formal military and technical courses to be eligible for promotion and broaden your technical competence.
As an engineering graduate, you may be selected for overseas training in areas ranging from reliability and maintainability techniques to a master's degree.
The following professional development opportunities are available:
- Master of Project Management (Army Technical Staff Officers Course - ATSOC) conducted at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra. Each year, there are places for a senior Captain/Major.
- Master of Science in Guided Weaponry or Electronic Systems Engineering or Simulation conducted at the Royal Military College Schrivenham, UK. Each year, there are places for 2 Captains/Majors.
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.
The minimum requirement for entry into this role is an engineering degree permitting graduate membership to Engineers Australia (EA) as a professional engineer. Degrees not featured on this list of preferred disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis:
- Avionics
- Communications/Telecommunications
- Computer Systems
- Electrical/Electronics
- Mechatronics
- Software.
You can apply if you’re in the final year of your degree and have your academic transcript. You’ll then need successful results in your final semester before your appointment to the role.
Some degree-qualified officers will start their careers at one rank higher than non-graduate officers. Please speak to your Careers Coach for further information.
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: 11 weeks
Location: Army Logistics Training Centre, Bandiana, Vic
This course introduces you to the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) Corps’ methodology and practices. It will also equip you to fulfil the demands of your first appointments within the RAEME Corps, concentrating on administration and field operations of RAEME units and other logistics units.
Course: RAEME Officer Basic Course – Ground
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Bonegilla, Vic
The course further develops the skills gained during the Logistic Officer Basic Course by introducing technical aspects of life within a Workshop.
Over the course of your military career, you’ll undertake formal military and technical courses to be eligible for promotion and broaden your technical competence.
As an engineering graduate, you may be selected for overseas training in areas ranging from reliability and maintainability techniques to a master's degree.
The following professional development opportunities are available:
- Master of Project Management (Army Technical Staff Officers Course - ATSOC) conducted at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra. Each year, there are places for a senior Captain/Major.
- Master of Science in Guided Weaponry or Electronic Systems Engineering or Simulation conducted at the Royal Military College Schrivenham, UK. Each year, there are places for 2 Captains/Majors.
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 4-year engineering degree and have no more than 3 years of study (full-time) outstanding to complete all of the requirements of the degree prior to receiving sponsorship. 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.
If you're enrolled in a double degree, you’ll only receive HECS-HELP funding allocation for your engineering units. Degrees not featured in the following preferred discipline list will be considered on a case-by-case basis:
- Communications/Telecommunications
- Avionics
- Computer Systems
- Electrical/Electronics
- Mechatronics
- Software.
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.
Undergraduates will be appointed for the period of their study plus a further period of service equaling the period of sponsored study plus one year (with a minimum of four years’ service after graduation).
Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may tender your resignation at any time provided you do not have an outstanding Initial Minimum Period of Service 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: 11 weeks
Location: Army Logistics Training Centre, Bandiana, Vic
This course introduces you to the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) Corps’ methodology and practices. It will also equip you to fulfil the demands of your first appointments within the RAEME Corps, concentrating on administration and field operations of RAEME units and other logistics units.
Course: RAEME Officer Basic Course – Ground
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Bonegilla, Vic
The course further develops the skills gained during the Logistic Officer Basic Course by introducing technical aspects of life within a Workshop.
Over the course of your military career, you’ll undertake formal military and technical courses to be eligible for promotion and broaden your technical competence.
As an engineering graduate, you may be selected for overseas training in areas ranging from reliability and maintainability techniques to a master's degree.
The following professional development opportunities are available:
- Master of Project Management (Army Technical Staff Officers Course - ATSOC) conducted at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra. Each year, there are places for a senior Captain/Major.
- Master of Science in Guided Weaponry or Electronic Systems Engineering or Simulation conducted at the Royal Military College Schrivenham, UK. Each year, there are places for 2 Captains/Majors.