Technician Assistant Ground Trades – ADF Gap Year
As a Technician Assistant, you’ll support highly trained Army tradespeople in the maintenance, modification, repair and servicing of Army equipment. You’ll get to work in well-equipped Army workshops and out in the field on domestic exercises and deployments.
What you'll do
Whether you’re working on an Army base or out in the field on deployments and exercises, you’ll provide valuable technical support to ensure Army remains operational and mission ready. You’ll assist Army technicians in the maintenance, modification and repair of assorted vehicles, including Abrams Tanks and other Armoured Fighting Vehicles, generators, weapons systems and workshop equipment.
In this role, you’ll have opportunities to grow your knowledge of maintenance processes and work towards nationally-recognised units of competency.
Your duties may include:
- assisting qualified technical trades personnel in the conduct of technical maintenance and support tasks
- employing safe working practices in a workshop environment
- operating hand tools and handheld power tools
- performing crane operations in support of equipment maintenance
- working with specialist teams on advanced equipment
- general soldiering duties, such as manning defensive positions, patrolling, traffic control, navigation, and camouflaging vehicles and field equipment.
After finishing your Gap Year program, you can choose to continue your full-time career in the Army or change to a part-time role in the Army Reserve.
There is no obligation to serve in the ADF beyond the 12-month Gap Year program period. You can take your new skills and experiences to gain an edge in future careers outside the ADF.
Following training, you could be posted to a unit anywhere in Australia. You’ll have opportunities to put your new skills to the test while making friends and gaining experience that will last you a lifetime. While your surroundings may change, your job role remains consistent and is essential to the effective operation of the Army.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
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 59 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.
Your Gap Year experience will commence at the start of the year and will conclude 12 months later. Subsequent periods of service in the Regular or Reserve ADF may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may request discharge at any time by providing 21 days’ notice.
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 achieved. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
Course: Technician Assistant Initial Employment Training Course
Duration: Approximately 2 months
Location: Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC), Bandiana, Vic
Your initial training will be conducted at the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (ASEME), which is located within the Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC) in Victoria. You’ll gain a range of competencies through the successful completion of the IET Technician Assistant Course (IETTA).
You’ll learn hand and power tool operation and maintenance, dogging and crane operation, workshop safety, environmental and sustainability practices and how to assist technicians in performing maintenance tasks.