Recovery Mechanic
As a Recovery Mechanic, you’ll be responsible for providing recovery support to Army’s vehicles and equipment, whenever they break down or become bogged, damaged or disabled. You don’t need any experience or qualifications to join, but your confidence, ability to remain calm under pressure and expertise will see you become a highly valued member of your unit.
What you'll do
Working with a team of highly trained Army technicians, you’ll operate state-of-the-art medium and heavy recovery vehicles to retrieve immobilised wheeled and tracked vehicles and equipment. You’ll use winches, cranes and gas cutting equipment to salvage, recover and tow damaged or disabled military vehicles from the battlefield back to base.
You’ll get to experience the unique adventures and challenges that come with providing recovery support to Army vehicles in a range of situations and environments.
Your duties may include:
- using recovery vehicles and equipment to retrieve immobilised equipment and vehicles
- operating winches, cranes and gas cutting equipment
- providing assistance over rough going and/or boggy terrain to keep the fighting force advancing
- providing technical maintenance of Army’s lifting, recovery and tie-down equipment
- working independently or as a small team leader for extensive hours in high tempo conditions in combat, non-combat and peacetime operations
- general soldiering duties, such as manning defensive positions, patrolling, traffic control, camouflaging of vehicles and field equipment, and navigation.
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 Battalions (CSSB) in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin or Townsville. Subsequent posting can be to various locations and units throughout Australia.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
It’s a good trade to be in because you’re close with your mates, you’ve always got each other’s back.
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, however you must be at least 18 at the commencement of your Initial Employment Training. The maximum age to join is 57 years.
For this role, you’ll need an Australian state or territory full, provisional or probationary C Class licence. If your licence is suspended or cancelled, you won’t be eligible until that suspension or cancellation has been lifted or has expired.
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 3 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: Drivers Courses
Duration: 2.5 months
Location: Tobruk Barracks, Puckapunyal, Vic
You’ll undertake military vehicle driver courses which will qualify you to operate medium and heavy trucks including the MAN 40 M Medium Rigid and MAN HX77 Heavy Rigid vehicles. These courses will qualify you to drive in-service vehicles in both an urban and field environments and provide the crucial foundational training required to undertake the Recovery Technician Course.
Course: Recovery Technician Course
Duration: 6 months
Location: Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (ASEME), Bandiana, Vic
On completion of your driving courses, you’ll attend the Recovery Technician course which will qualify you in the conduct of recovery operations and the operation of Army's wheeled recovery vehicles.
Course: On-the-Job Training
Duration: 12 months
Location: Regional Training Centre in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin or Townsville
Following completion of the residential component of the course, you’ll undertake a period of On-the-Job Training before becoming fully qualified.
Once you’ve finished your Initial Employment Training, you’ll be assigned to an Army unit and your career as a soldier will begin.
On completion of your IET and OJT, you’ll be awarded the following qualifications:
- Certificate IV in Specialist Driving Operations
- Licence to perform Dogging
- Licence to operate a slewing mobile crane (up to 60 tonnes).
Throughout your career, you’ll also have opportunities to develop your skills with further specialist training. Aspects of your training may result in the awarding of civil qualifications such as heavy combination (HC) driver’s licence. Check with your Instructional Staff when you conduct your Initial Employment Training to obtain further information about what qualifications are available.