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.

To be eligible as a qualified Combat Medic (Health Technician), you’ll need to hold registration as a Nurse (Division 1 or 2) or as a Paramedic with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

The Recognition of Prior Learning/Recognition of Current Competency process will be completed prior to a Letter of Offer (LOO) being sent. The LOO will detail any competency gap training required to be qualified. This gap training is undertaken as part of initial trade training.

Regardless of civilian qualifications held, you will be required to complete military specific medical contextualisation training as part of your initial employment training.

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.

As an already qualified and registered Paramedic or Nurse, once your Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is approved, you’ll receive advanced standing and complete the following courses to be fully qualified as a part-time Health Technician. The courses are offered throughout the year and can be completed around your other commitments.

Course: Health Technician Part 1
Duration: 3 weeks
Location: ADF School of Health, Bonegilla, Vic

This course covers an overview of the ADF health system, health logistics and primary health care. Skills learnt on this course qualify you to work unsupervised in a Garrison health environment and supervised on domestic health support tasks. Duration of this module will vary based on the advanced standing received through the recognition process.

Course: Health Technician Part 2
Duration: 3 weeks
Location: ADF School of Health, Bonegilla, Vic

This course covers the fundamentals of nursing and pre-hospital care in the austere environment. Skills learnt on this course qualify you to work unsupervised on basic domestic health support tasks and part of health teams on domestic deployments. Duration of this module will vary based on the advanced standing received through the recognition process.

Course: Health Technician Part 3
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: ADF School of Health, Bonegilla, Vic

This course covers advanced life support, operational health support and tactical combat casualty care. Completion of this course qualifies you as a Health Technician and able to work across the Land Based Trauma System.