Navy
Full Time

Aviation Support Technician - ADF Gap Year

Full Time
As an Aviation Support Technician, you’ll get a ‘try before you buy’ experience of working towards a trade in the Navy without any commitment to serving beyond the twelve-month Gap Year program. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to learn about the service and try your hand at one of the technical roles essential to keeping the Navy operational. Plus, you’ll gain invaluable, hands-on experience in assisting aircraft maintenance, ground movements and ground support services in their daily operations. You’ll also be based at the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm Squadrons, located at HMAS Albatross on the south coast of NSW.
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What you'll do

You'll work with skilled tradespeople to gain unique insights into the many technical roles on offer in the Navy. This includes working as part of a flight line maintenance team, which means you’ll be right on the tarmac or directly in the hangar assisting Navy technical trades in performing servicing, ground handling and support duties. You’ll undertake a range of technical and trade related tasks while supporting one of the following roles:

  • Helicopter Aircraft Technician
  • Helicopter Avionics Technician
  • Helicopter Controller

Your duties may include:

  • performing flight line servicing and flight line support duties
  • conducting aircraft ground handling operations, including support to aircraft towing
  • ·operating ground support equipment
  • replenishing aircraft systems
  • towing and operating specific aircraft ground support equipment (GSE)
  • marshalling aircraft
  • assisting with washing aircraft
  • assisting with launching and recovering of aircraft
  • participating in cabin configuration changes
  • compiling and completing aircraft documentation
  • fly away kit maintenance
  • operating aircraft ground safety equipment

You'll also perform additional general duties that support the whole ship, including:

  • ship security, firefighting and replenishment at sea
  • boarding party, first aid, flood repair and flight deck
  • assisting with medical, ammunitioning or ceremonial duties
  • shift work, or on-call duties as required.

After finishing your Gap Year program, you can apply to start an exciting career as a full-time Navy Officer. You can apply for entry into the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) or to conduct further Navy job category training for your role.

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.

HMAS Albatross - Nowra

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Requirements and training

About entry methods
12-month Gap Year
ADF Gap Year
Requirements
Citizenship

You need to be an Australian citizen to be eligible for the ADF Gap Year program.

Age
You must be aged between 17 and 24 years of age at the time of your enlistment or appointment. For Navy, you must be 18 years of age by the completion of your Initial Military Training.
Licences
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
Security requirements

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.

Education and experience
You must have completed Year 10. Additionally, you must have Year 10 passes in English, Maths and Science.
Health and fitness

To join the Navy, it's important that you meet the necessary medical and physical requirements. Regular exercise prior to joining will set you up for success as it is an important part of training and service life.

Once you join, Navy will support your physical conditioning to ensure you're prepared to serve. You'll also have access to chef-made meals, gyms, sports and fitness sessions run by physical training instructors. Throughout your Navy career, you’ll be expected to conduct an annual fitness test which includes a plank as well as either a beep test or run/walk or swim.

During the application process you’ll be assessed through a questionnaire about your medical history and a physical examination.

The Navy swim test

During Navy Military Training, whether heading to the New Entry Sailor Course (Recruit School) or the New Entry Officer Course, you'll need to pass a swim test wearing your uniform to graduate. This includes:

  • safety jump off a 3m tower
  • 10m underwater swim
  • 50m swim using survival strokes
  • treading water or floating for 15 minutes.

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.

Period of service
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.
Training
Military training

Course: New Entry Sailor Course (NESC)
Duration: 10 weeks
Location: Recruit School at HMAS Cerberus, Vic

You’ll conduct your initial sailor training at the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Recruit School prior to commencing specific category training. The NESC course is designed to prepare you to conduct basic duties as a sailor.  

NESC Course

  • Physical fitness: General fitness and the Navy swim test. 
  • Military life: General service knowledge including drill and ceremonial procedures.
  • Specialty skills: Weapons training, workplace safety, first aid and sailing.
  • Navy skills: Seamanship, corrosion control, survival at sea and fire and flood control. 

After successfully completing all components of the course, you’ll participate in a Graduation Parade to mark the occasion. You’ll have the opportunity to invite family and friends to view the parade.

Employment training

Course: Aerospace Technical Trades Core Skills

Duration: 10 Weeks

Location: RAAF School of Technical Training (RAAFSTT), RAAF Base Wagga, NSW

After completing Initial Military Training, you’ll undertake this course at RAAFSTT. This course covers the following topics:

  • aircraft flight servicing
  • aircraft marshalling
  • aviation maintenance work activities and standards
  • basic hand skills
  • environmental management
  • explosive ordinance awareness
  • Manuals/documentation
  • work health and safety (WHS)