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. For Reserve service, the maximum age to apply is 60 years, with a Compulsory Retirement Age (CRA) of 65. Candidates who wish to enlist into the Reserves beyond the age of 61 years will need further assessment to ensure they can complete all pre-requisite training in their chosen field prior to reaching CRA.

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
• Shuttle Run Score: 5.1.

Male

• Sit-ups (feet held): 20
• 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.

There is no minimum number of years required in the ADF Reserve as service is voluntary. You can volunteer until the Defence retirement age of 65, subject to the requirements and your suitability for further service.

Reserve service is flexible and can fit around your family, life and work responsibilities. You choose your level of commitment ranging from a minimum of 20 days and up to 150 days per year, with the potential to extend to 200 days. In your first year, this includes both Initial Employment and Military Training. On training completion, you can serve from as little as a couple of days a week, one weekend a month or in consecutive weeks - in a way that suits your lifestyle.

Course: Recruit Course for Reservists
Duration: 4 weeks
Location: Home Base and No.1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU), RAAF Base Wagga, NSW

Following completion of the home base training, you'll attend the 1RTU residential phase. You can expect to attend your home base on average one to 2 days per month in order to complete physical fitness assessments and pre-requisite training that is required for the 4-week residential phase.

Training includes:

• service knowledge
• military drill
• physical fitness
• ground defence (weapons and field craft).

Course: SECFOR Initial Employment Training Air Force Reserve (SECFOR IET AFR)
Duration: 4 weeks
Location: RAAF Security and Fire School (RAAFSFS), RAAF Base Amberley, Qld

The ABP IET consists of a 4-week residential course broken into 2 x 2-week residential modules*. Lessons and training take place in the classroom, in the field and in domestic and operational areas of an airbase.

Training includes:

• security administration, policy and procedures
• airfield safety
• security patrolling
• communications
• operational safety, including defensive tactics skills
• control of entry to ADF establishments and restricted areas
• weapon handling
• combat skills
• initial action at crime scenes
• management of security incidents
• emergency response procedures.

*Note: Prior to attending the 4-week residential course, you’ll need to complete approximately 3 to 4 days of pre-course training at your home base. In instances where the training cannot be completed at your home base (e.g. limited local base training opportunities), you can complete the pre-course training at RAAFSFS in the week prior to the commencement of the 4-week course.