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.

You’ll need to have either completed Year 12 with passes in English and 3 other board accredited academic subjects or be in your final year and on track to pass them all. A pass in Year 10 Science is also required.

The completion of Year 12 university entry level Maths (unmodified) and Physics or multi-strand Science is highly desirable.

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.

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.

You’ll be appointed 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 and provide a minimum of 3 months’ notice.

Your suitability to join Navy Officer Aviation (OA) is evaluated in detail through a primary and secondary selection system. Primary selection is conducted by ADF Careers at your local ADF Careers Centre and includes multiple interviews, initial medical screening and the written Officer Aviation Test Battery (OATB). Those candidates assessed as suitable will progress to the secondary assessment stage, which includes the Aviation Screening Program (ASP) and if successful there, the Officer Selection Board (OSB).

The ASP is a 2-day event (plus travel days) where you’ll join a group of 8 candidates to not only evaluate your suitability, but to introduce you to all the OA streams in depth as well. You’ll gain firsthand exposure to the training, recreational and accommodation facilities at the RAAF Base East Sale, Vic as well as have the opportunity to talk to current students and instructors at the various schools that make up the Air Academy (AirA). You’ll even be loaned a flight suit to wear for the duration of the ASP, allowing you to fully experience life in military aviation.

Over the 2 days you’ll also complete a range of Officer Aviation specific tests to assess your cognitive aptitude and potential to learn in the highly dynamic aviation training environment. Aviation aptitude is assessed using the Military Aviation Cognitive Assessment System (MACTS), which is a series of computer-based tests conducted over 2 x 4-hour sessions. Joining instructions and preparation guides will be provided to you by your Enlistment Coordinator (EC).

At the end of the ASP, you’ll individually meet with a debriefing officer to receive your MACTS results and discuss the Officer Aviation (OA) career options that you have been assessed as suitable for: Aviation Warfare Officer (Navy), Remote Pilot Warfare Officer (Navy), Mission (Air Force) or Pilot (Navy, Army and/or Air Force) as well as entry methods (ADFA and/or DEO).

Finally, you’ll be given a progression letter detailing all the OA options that are available to you, and you’ll have 10 days to respond to your EC with your preferences. You're strongly encouraged to discuss all of these options with your family and friends and to explore any new options that you may not have previously considered. If you choose to proceed, your application will progress to the Officer Selection Board. If you're unsuccessful, you have the option to attend one more (final) ASP no sooner than 12 months from your first attempt.

If you proceed with any Navy options, you'll be invited to attend a Navy Officer Selection Board which will give you the opportunity to display your true potential to be a Naval Officer. The OSB Selection Panel is made up of a number of Navy Officers and a Psychologist and together they will assess your suitability and motivation to become a Naval Officer as well as your chosen role through a series of formal interview questions and tasks.

Course: New Entry Officers' Course (NEOC)
Duration: 18 weeks
Location: HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay, NSW

You’ll begin your career by completing NEOC immediately upon entry into the Navy. NEOC is conducted in January and July each year at the Royal Australian Naval College. This is designed to teach the knowledge, skills and attributes required to be an effective junior naval officer.

NEOC course

• Physical fitness: General fitness, adventure training and the Navy swim test.
• Military life: Discipline, mannerisms, uniform procedures and Defence studies.
• Specialty skills: Small arms weapons training, first aid and survival at sea.
• Navy skills: Drill and ceremonial procedures, officer of the day duties, rank structure and Naval history.
• Leadership skills: High Functioning Teams Training and Military Resilience Training.
• Personal development: Leadership and management (including practical exercises), effective oral and written communication methods.

On completion of your NEOC course, you’ll proceed to your respective employment training.

Course: Remote Pilot Warfare Officers Course
Duration: 6-8 months
Location: HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW

The Remote Pilot Warfare Officers course consists of 4 phases:

Phase 1 - Aviation Fundamentals
Location: 723 SQN at HMAS Albatross

This phase is predominantly classroom based and will give you the foundation knowledge to begin your career in aviation. It includes subjects such as aviation safety and human factors, basic systems, meteorology, air traffic control, communications, aerodynamic fundamentals, flight administration, visual recognition and navigation theory.

Phase 2 – Basic Aviation Operations
Location: 723 SQN at HMAS Albatross

This phase is a mixture of classroom lectures, computer-based mission trainers, tactical part-task trainers and live flight. This phase includes subjects such as navigation, mission systems and tactical knowledge.

Phase 3 – Aircraft Conversion
Location: 822X SQN at HMAS Albatross

This phase of training includes classroom-based learning, simulation, and live flying from a local military airfield. During this phase, you’ll learn to operate a maritime Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS).

Phase 4 – Operational Flying Training
Location: 822X SQN at HMAS Albatross

The aim of this phase is to combine all previous knowledge learnt in the classroom and to first practice in the flight simulator, before conducting live flying operations within military restricted airspace. This phase will also include the additional subjects of aircraft captaincy, mission command, authorisation, flight procedures, and emergency procedures.

The award of the Flying badge (Remote Pilot Warfare Officer Wings) is presented on completion of all four phases of the Remote Pilot Warfare Officer course.