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.

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): 45
• Push-ups: 8
• Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.

Male

• Sit-ups (feet held): 45
• Push-ups: 15
• Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.

By the end of your initial employment training, you must also be capable of passing the Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) swim test which involves duck diving twice through at least 2 underwater obstacles, 2 metres apart at a depth of not less than 2.5 metres and not more than 3.5 metres measured from the bottom of the obstacle. You'll also swim 30 metres in fresh water or 50 metres in salt water, and without leaving the water, remain afloat out of depth for 3 minutes. Don’t worry, you’ll receive the necessary training and guidance to make sure you’re ready when the test arrives.

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 Reserve 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. In your first year, you can choose to serve between a minimum of 20 and up to 150 days, which includes Initial Employment and Military Training. After that, you can choose to serve 20 to 150 days each year, with the potential to extend to 200 days. On training completion, you can serve from as little as one night a week, one weekend a month, or in consecutive weeks - in a way that suits your lifestyle.

You’ll need to be able to withstand being confined in restricted spaces for extended periods of time.

Course: Army Reserve Recruit Course
Duration: 3 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.

You’ll need to complete this course within 6 months of enlisting.

Course: Land Combat Module
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Melbourne University Regiment, Vic

You’ll learn the specialist skills and equipment required for your chosen role including communications, specialist weapons handling, explosives, and driving (driving is learned in a subsequent course).

Additional courses:

• Light Cavalry Common Course
• Land combat Hawkei Drivers Course
• Light Cavalry Patrol Commanders Course.

During these courses you'll learn how to:

• operate and maintain Patrol Weapon Systems including night fighting equipment
• conduct light cavalry operations by day and night in austere field environments
• apply armoured vehicle tactics and use vehicles as part of a formation
• develop a varied array of combat and combat enabling skills such as communications, camouflage and hazard identification
• operate and maintain protected vehicles.