Heavy Vehicle Operator
As a part-time Heavy Vehicle Operator, you’ll be at the heart of Army operations, distributing troops, equipment, armoured vehicles, fuel and supplies. It’s a role that’s crucial to the success of the Army, supporting important combat missions and enabling capability on exercise and operations.
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
You’ll drive a range of high-spec military vehicles that are unique to the ADF. These include high-performance 4WDs, tank-carrying transporters, off-road forklifts, trucks, road trains and fuel tankers.
You can also undertake lessons to add to your skillset, maintain vehicles and complete planning in preparation for upcoming exercises and operations. It’s a flexible role that can help build on your existing leadership skills – all without giving up your current lifestyle.
Your duties may include:
- distributing cargo, equipment and personnel to support important missions
- learning to tactically manoeuvre a range of vehicles, use mounted weapon systems and apply camouflage
- driving off-road, understanding vehicle capability in challenging terrain and conditions
- recovering bogged, damaged and ditched vehicles
- loading and unloading vehicles using forklifts, vehicle mounted cranes and hydraulic integrated load handlers
- maintaining vehicles to keep them in working order
- navigating using digital battle management systems, GPS and via civil and topographic maps
- communicating with other vehicles and headquarters using radios and other digital communication equipment
- acting as a driving instructor (after a qualifying period of 12 months)
- applying legislation and policy to driving operations and the maintenance of transport documentation, including a logbook, the transport of Dangerous Goods and Commonwealth explosives and Heavy Vehicle Regulations including driving using a permit
- specialist driving roles such as driver to VIPs (up to the rank of General or equivalent rank) and operating bulk water and fuel tankers.
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 developed leadership skills which cross over to my job as a police officer.
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.
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
- 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.
Course: Army Initial Driver Training Course
Duration: 12 days
Location: An Army Reserve unit near you
You’ll learn how to:
- operate, supervise and manage Army transport and logistics vehicles
- utilise a variety of plant vehicles to support the conduct of tasks
- conduct training in heavy vehicle driving in both an operational and domestic environment
- demonstrate effective cargo stowage
- drive in complex environments by day and night in both operational and humanitarian support functions.