Physiotherapist
As a part-time Physiotherapist in the Army Reserve, you’ll have the opportunity to use your existing qualifications and skills in an exciting new way to provide quality healthcare to the Army. You’ll work in an Army health unit or Joint Health Command Garrison medical centres providing healthcare to members to enhance and maintain the ADF’s operational and support capabilities. You’ll deliver effective and appropriate assessment, diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of disease and injury in the promotion and maintenance of health and wellness, both on operations and in non-operational environments.
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 provide physiotherapy services in a range of environments to wounded or injured patients, and pre and postoperative care to aid rehabilitation. There may also be opportunities for you to deploy on operations and exercises.
Your duties may include:
- performing physiotherapy functions through intervention, prevention, examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, education and plan the care of ADF members in a variety of environments
- assisting in the planning, coordination, assembly, deployment and function within an ADF rehabilitation section within a deployed health facility using relevant doctrine and siting principles
- advising members on the operation and maintenance of rehabilitation equipment
- conducting clinical professional development sessions amongst peers and other health care professionals to introduce select basic musculoskeletal principles and physiotherapy skills
- collaborating with other members of the health care team
- developing and maintaining individual technical skills, including familiarisation with other health care professionals to enhance the holistic approach to health care for ADF members.
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.
As an officer in the Army, you may also undertake a posting to an Any Officer role during your career, such as instructor/training roles and staff officer roles. This experience helps you broaden your skill set and prepare for more senior roles.
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.
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 as follows:
- Bachelor/Master of Physiotherapy or equivalent
- registered as a physiotherapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- minimum 2 years’ experience in musculoskeletal or sports physio setting e.g. in a hospital outpatient department or private practice setting
- demonstrable experience working with sporting teams.
It is desirable (but not mandatory) if you also have the following:
- experience and/or interest working in emergency physiotherapy and/or human performance
- completed Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Sports Level 1 (mandatory) and APA Sports Level 2.
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.
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.
Course: Logistic Officers Basic Course (LOBC) – Health
Duration: 14 days
Location: Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC), Bonegilla, Vic
You’ll undertake this course in the first 12 months of your appointment, where you’ll learn the fundamental skills required to operate in a deployed environment. The course includes theory, practical and simulated activities.
The LOBC aims to provide Logistic and Health Officers with corps and integrated skills and knowledge to fulfil a range of command and health specialised appointments at the rank of Lieutenant in a foundation warfighting environment.