Metalsmith
As a Metalsmith, you’ll keep Army vehicles and equipment, including armoured troop carriers, battle tanks and sophisticated weapons systems, in peak working order and be a valued member of your unit.
What you'll do
Working in Army workshops and out in the field on domestic exercises, deployments and humanitarian operations, you’ll perform a range of duties to keep Army vehicles and equipment mission ready. You’ll operate Manual Metal Arc Welding (MWAW) machines, Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), oxygen-acetylene welding and cutting equipment.
Your duties may include:
- fabricating, repairing, modifying and reclaiming equipment and components
- joining, deforming and treating metals and composite materials (fibre-reinforced plastics and graphite-reinforced plastics)
- performing specialist welding tasks including aluminium welding (7000 series), repairs and modifications to ferrous armour, structural steel, homogenous armour, and quench and tempered steels
- conducting safety and technical inspections on specialist equipment and structural components
- general soldiering duties, such as manning defensive positions, patrolling, traffic control, navigation, and camouflaging of vehicles and field equipment.
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 likely be posted to a Combat Service Support Battalion (CSSB) in Adelaide, SA Brisbane or Townsville, Qld or Darwin, NT. Subsequent postings can be to various locations and units throughout Australia.
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You have to be a bit of a problem solver to get the task done.
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.
You need to be a qualified welder having completed a trade qualification (trade certificate) issued by a state training authority aligned to a Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication (or equivalent). Suitable trade qualifications may include Welder 1st Class, Boilermaker Marker Off, Boilermaker Welder, Sheet Metal Worker or Welder - Fabrication Medium/Heavy.
Alternatively, if you have completed an approved apprenticeship or traineeship at a recognised training institution in a welding discipline you may also be suitable for qualified entry.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning/Recognition of Current Competencies process will be completed prior to a Letter of Offer (LOO) being sent. The LOO will detail any competency gap training required to be qualified. This gap training will be undertaken as part of your initial trade training.
You need to present evidence of your trade qualification/s and training you have completed at the recruiting interview. This is to ensure that assessment and recognition of your qualifications can be completed prior to entry as a successful recognition outcome is required for enlistment.
Any trade evidence submitted should contain the content of training undertaken (i.e. Units of Competencies, Statement of Attainment, etc.) and must be certified as a true copy of the original otherwise it will not be considered.
Your trade qualification and evidence will be certified by the Army Logistics Training Centre prior to enlistment.
Regardless of civilian qualifications held, you’ll be required to complete military specific Units of Competency at the Army Logistic Training Centre as part of your initial employment training.
Note: You'll need to provide a CV (including work history) and 3 references (one from current employer and 2 from previous employers) when applying.
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.
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 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.
Regardless of the civilian qualifications you bring to the role, you’ll need to complete elements of the Army Technical Trade Material Technician Course to learn how to apply your existing knowledge in an Army environment.
Course: Army Technical Trade Material Technician Course
Duration: 13 months
Location: Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (ASEME), Vic
Following military training, you’ll complete the Army Technical Trade Material Technician Course (ATTMAT). This training is self-paced and is expected to be completed within approximately 13 months.
You’ll operate Manual Metal Arc Welding (MWAW) machines, Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), oxygen-acetylene welding and cutting equipment. As well as learning to perform geometric development, fabrication, basic machining and repairs to fibre-reinforced materials, you’ll also learn how to operate and maintain tools associated to your trade.
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 54 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, Maths, Science (with a Physics component) and one other subject. If you haven't completed Year 10 but are interested in joining, the ADF may be able to support your application.
Partially Qualified: If you have prior experience or training towards a qualification in a welding or fabrication discipline, you may be able to receive recognition against some of the training content of your initial trade training.
You should present any trade evidence you have attained at the recruiting interview to ensure that recognition can be completed prior to commencing initial trade training.
Any trade evidence submitted should contain the content of training undertaken (i.e. Units of Competencies, Statement of Attainment, etc.) and must be certified as a true copy of the original otherwise it will not be considered.
Note: You'll need to provide a CV (including work history) and 3 references (one from current employer and 2 from previous employers) when applying.
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.
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: Army Technical Trade Material Technician Course
Duration: 13 months
Location: Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (ASEME), Vic
Following military training, you’ll complete the Army Technical Trade Material Technician Course (ATTMAT). This training is self-paced and is expected to be completed within approximately 13 months.
You’ll learn to operate manual Metal Arc Welding (MWAW) machines (MMAW), Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), oxygen-acetylene welding and cutting equipment. As well as learning to perform geometric development, fabrication, basic machining and repairs to fibre-reinforced materials, you’ll also learn how to operate and maintain tools associated to your trade.
Course: On-the-Job Training (OJT)
Duration: 10 –14 months
Location: Regional Training Centre, either Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin or Townsville
Following completion of the residential component of the course, you’ll be posted to a Regional Training Centre to complete an OJT program before becoming fully qualified.