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.

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.

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.

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.

Course: Part-Time Army Officer Commissioning Program
Duration: 17 weeks conducted across 7 modules
Locations: Kapooka, NSW and University Regiment locations across Australia

After completing the modules listed below you will be able to demonstrate the characteristics, conduct and bearing of an Australian Army Officer and graduate as a part-time Lieutenant in the Australian Army. You will be able to lead a platoon of about 30 soldiers within the domestic environment, and you’ll have the skills and attributes to continue further training within your corps and specialisation.

You’ll be posted to a state-based University Regiment based on where you live, which is a training establishment set up to deliver officer training. During this training, you’ll learn military skills like fieldcraft, drill, training, military justice and written and oral communication.

Your training blocks need to be completed consecutively, and we’ll work with you to ensure they fit around your personal commitments. Most people will finish these modules within 2 years.

Module 1A: Army Initial Foundation Training
Duration: 22 Days
Location: 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Kapooka, NSW

You’ll develop the Foundation Soldier behaviours, attitudes, skills, and knowledge (BASK) required for service in the Army. You’ll learn weapon handling, communications, first aid and military dress and bearing to set you up for further training.

Once you have completed this training block, you’ll return to your University Regiment to continue your training as an officer. Don’t worry as you won’t need to relocate, as your weekly training requirements will be at your local unit. Your unit will arrange your travel to and from your training areas to complete your remaining training blocks.

Module 1B: All Corps Individual Skills
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: University Regiment locations across Australia

During this course, you’ll continue to develop the individual skills and professional behaviour required as a foundation to be an Officer in the Australian Army. You’ll develop skills participating as a member of a small team operating in a threat environment including:

• the safe and effective use of individual weapons, pyrotechnics and equipment, including night fighting equipment
• leveraging Land Combat Foundation Field and Battle Craft skills
• combat first aid in a tactical environment
• demonstrating Navigation Skills in the field and;
• participating in a Basic Fitness Assessment.

Module 2: Army Small Team Leading
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: University Regiment locations across Australia

During this course, you’ll learn the basic principles for leading and managing small teams in a military context. You’ll focus on developing foundation skills required to command, lead and operate a small team. Including:

• planning and leading small team operations and;
• participating in a military specific fitness assessment.

Module 3: Foundation Leadership
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: University Regiment locations across Australia

During this course, you’ll learn to apply ADF leadership, Defence Values and ethical framework required for junior officers in the Australian Army. Including:

• applying leadership in an Army context
• complete the Army Foundation Instructor Training program. This involves the delivery of theory and equipment lessons and conducting assessments
• managing a platoon and supervising training
• applying the Military Risk Management Application process and;
• supervising maintenance activities

Module 4: Foundation Warfighting
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: University Regiment locations across Australia

During this course, you’ll develop your knowledge of foundation warfighting on land. Including:

• interpreting enemy tactics
• explaining the Australian Army's conduct of foundation warfighting and;
• commanding a platoon on conventional operations.

Module 5: Foundation Planning
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: University Regiment locations across Australia

During this course, you’ll develop your ability to critically think and plan platoon tasks on land. You’ll be introduced to the deliberate planning processes in offensive and defensive environments. Including:

• explaining why military leaders plan
• applying rational thinking and problem solving
• applying operational and tactical considerations during deliberate planning
• understanding enemy operations
• delivering planning briefs.

Module 6: Foundation Command
Duration: 16 Days
Locations: University Regiment locations across Australia

During this course, you’ll be enabled to command, manage and train a Platoon or Troop. You’ll confirm the skills and knowledge you have gained over the course of your training by being assessed as a Platoon Commander of 30 troops (including an introduction to Domestic Security and Response type operations). This will include:

• applying considerations for domestic security and response operations
• applying Military Risk Management
• conducting live-fire range safety appointments
• participating in customs and traditions of Army's Officer Corps and describing the role of an Army Officer in ceremonial activities
• complete the Permanent Basic Range qualification. This qualification enables you to conduct live firing training on weapons ranges

After completing the Part-Time Army Officer Commissioning Program you’ll demonstrate the characteristics, conduct and bearing of an Australian Army Officer and be able to lead a Platoon or Troop of about 30 soldiers. You’ll have the skills and attributes needed to continue further training within your corps and specialisation.

Module Z
Duration: Training Nights and weekends in-between the 6 residential modules
Locations: Your posted Army Reserve Unit

In between residential training blocks, you’ll undertake training to consolidate your skills at your posted University Regiment. This will include attendance at parade nights and training weekends. The training staff will help you prepare for the residential training blocks, revise the skills you learn as well as provide instruction on military skills like fieldcraft, drill, training, military justice and written and oral communication.

Prior to completing the Part-Time Officer Commissioning Program, you’ll be appointed to one of the Army's specialised branches, known as Corps. For example, the Transport Corps is responsible for transport of Army personnel and equipment via land, air and sea. Corps allocation is based on performance, preference and position availability where you live.

Upon graduation, you’ll be posted to a part-time Army unit where you’ll complete your Corps training and be mentored by the full-time officers within the unit as you put your new-found skills and knowledge to the test in barracks and on exercise.