Chef
As a part-time Chef, your responsibilities and duties extend far beyond preparing meals. You’ll have a direct influence on the morale and wellbeing of Army members. You’ll work alongside fellow cooks to prepare, cook and serve meals both in field kitchens, Army establishments and Navy vessels to meet the dietary needs of Defence members.
If you’re looking to experience adventure and excitement outside the everyday, earn tax-free pay and work as part of a close-knit team, this is an exciting opportunity that can work around your lifestyle.
What you'll do
Good food is a significant morale booster in the Army. A delicious and nutritious meal can greatly enhance the wellbeing and spirits of soldiers, especially when they are in challenging environments.
Being a Chef in the ADF involves a combination of culinary skills, logistical know-how, and the ability to perform under pressure. You’ll prepare and cook complete meals consisting of soups, entrees, main courses, sweets, cakes and pastries. It's a demanding yet rewarding role that directly contributes to the effectiveness and well-being of military members.
On occasions, you’ll also cook for functions. High standards are essential with great pride taken in the preparation of foods according to nutritional, dietary and cultural needs.
Your duties may include:
- preparing, cooking and packaging complete meals
- cooking a variety of dishes, such as soups, entrees, mains and desserts
- learning the process of bulk cookery
- preparing meals in specialised field and commercial kitchens
- cooking at important functions and VIP events.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Army will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training to strengthen your skillset. This will help you to command and run a highly skilled team of soldiers and the employment of their equipment.
The Army Reserve has units located all across Australia and offers you the flexibility to serve where you live. There are training locations in cities, small towns and regional areas. Even if there isn’t a unit close to you there may be other ways to serve. You’ll have a Careers Coach who you can ask about your options.
I've learnt great time management skills, leadership, and I've been able to transfer them into my civilian job.
Requirements and training
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): 20
- Push-ups: 4
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 8
- 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 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: 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.
To be fully qualified, you’ll need to complete the following courses. These courses are offered throughout the year and you can enrol into them around your other commitments.
Course: Army Reserve Chef Training – Module 1 Catering Field Training Detachment
Duration: 16 days
Location: Latchford Barrack, Bonegilla, Vic
This module teaches you the basic cookery skills, Food Safety – HACCP, Knife Skills, and basic hygiene. All your training will be delivered using field equipment to prepare you for employment as a part-time Cook Assistant.
Course: Army Reserve Chef Training – Module 2 Army Initial Field Catering Course
Duration: 16 days
Location: Latchford Barrack, Bonegilla, Vic
This module teaches you the principles of Army Field Catering Operations. This includes the principles in the construction of obstacles and basic field defences preparing you for employment within Army field kitchens.
On-the-Job Training is managed by local unit through Competency Task Journal over a 36-month period.