General Surgeon
As a General Surgeon in the Army Reserve, you’ll work in surgical teams using your advanced medical expertise and knowledge. You'll ensure appropriate clinical care is administered to patients in garrison and field environments, in this varied part-time role.
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 a rewarding opportunity that can work around your lifestyle.
What you'll do
You’ll be an integral part of the healthcare services team, providing the highest standard of care to ADF members, aiding in the prevention, treatment or recovery of injuries or diseases, in line with your area of expertise. You’ll perform your duties in a broad range of environments and workplace conditions, wherever and whenever a casualty/patient situation exists, or healthcare is needed. You’ll need to be adaptable as some working environments may have limited stores and equipment.
You’ll be a clinical leader of multidisciplinary health teams, in line with your professional and legislated responsibilities. You must be able to communicate effectively, maintain confidentiality and effective relationships with superiors, subordinates, civilians and international forces, including people with diverse cultural and political backgrounds.
Your duties may include:
- providing treatment to ADF members
- providing training and mentoring activities for other ADF members engaged in Strategic Alliance or professional development programs
- providing specialist clinical advice to the chain of command and the health technical chain
- participating in military activities
- participating in recruitment activities, especially in own specialisation.
In addition to this, if you’re a Specialist Registrar remaining in a designated ADF Specialist Medical Program position while completing training as a Registrar at an approved institution, you’ll need to:
- remain embedded in an approved institute as a staff specialist
- maintain accreditation with relevant specialist Colleges/Faculties
- maintain relevant specialist Professional Membership
- provide the ADF with an enduring medical specialist capability.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, the Army will provide you with leadership, management, and specialist skills training to develop your ability to effectively manage your teams. You’ll also be provided with training opportunities to further develop your role-related expertise. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and enable you to become an influential leader in the Army.
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. Some limited opportunities exist for postings within Joint Health Command health units or HQ providing technical and specialist advice. Depending on your rank and experience, support may be available for you to travel from regional centres to capital cities. You’ll have a Careers Coach who you can ask about your options.
I’ve been able to meet mentors who have taken the path before me and… encouraged me to take this path.
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.
The minimum requirement for entry into this role is to be fully qualified and unconditionally registered as a General Surgeon with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in a state or territory of Australia.
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.
Male
- Push-ups: 8
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
Female
- Push-ups: 4
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 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.
You should be employed through your civilian practice in the specialisation you enter the ADF with. You’re encouraged to take on teaching and research roles within the hospitals in which you’re employed, provided these do not interfere with your availability for military duties.
Course: Specialist Service Officer First Appointment Course (SSO FAC)
Duration: 25 days
Location: Royal Military College – Duntroon, Canberra, ACT
You’ll learn fundamental knowledge of:
- leadership and military justice
- weapons handling
- command and control
- unit and personnel administration
- basic military skills
- the ideals of officer behaviour
- attitudes necessary for future employment.
This course is delivered in 2 parts for both full-time and part-time (Reserve) Officers.
- Part 1 – 10 days
- Part 2 – 15 days.
As a Medical Procedural Specialist, you’re employed specifically for your surgical specialty. If you wish to be considered for further general medical officer employment, you’ll need to meet further training requirements. This will be discussed with you when required.