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:

• tertiary qualifications in law e.g. Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD)
• admitted as a barrister or solicitor to the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian state or territory
• hold a current practising certificate with a state or territory Law Society or be capable of obtaining a practising certificate.

It is desirable that you have 3 years post admission job experience as either a legal practitioner, providing legal policy advice or undertaking advanced studies/tertiary-level research in one or more of the following areas:

• criminal law
• public law (especially administrative, work health and safety, privacy, freedom of information law and statutory interpretation)
• public international law (especially international humanitarian law, human rights law, international criminal law, law of the sea and air law)
• law relating to national security, intelligence, law enforcement, emergency services or use of the Defence Force
• maritime, aviation, cyber or space law.

Note: Entry for this role requires your qualifications to be endorsed by the Directorate of Navy Workforce Management. If found satisfactory through this assessment, your Careers Coach will be advised that you hold the appropriate skills, qualifications and experience competitive against other applicants and your application will be progressed. Your Careers Coach will organise this process for you.

The scope, duration, complexity and currency of your demonstrated history in the relevant field/s will be considered when assessing your readiness to proceed to officer selection board and competitiveness for entry.

To join the Navy, it's important that you meet the necessary medical and physical requirements. Regular exercise prior to joining will set you up for success as it is an important part of training and service life.

Once you join, Navy will support your physical conditioning to ensure you're prepared to serve. You'll also have access to chef-made meals, gyms, sports and fitness sessions run by physical training instructors. Throughout your Navy career, you’ll be expected to conduct an annual fitness test which includes a plank as well as either a beep test or run/walk or swim.

During the application process you’ll be assessed through a questionnaire about your medical history and a physical examination.

During Navy Military Training, whether heading to the New Entry Sailor Course (Recruit School) or the New Entry Officer Course, you'll need to pass a swim test wearing your uniform to graduate. This includes:

• safety jump off a 3m tower
• 10m underwater swim
• 50m swim using survival strokes
• treading water or floating for 15 minutes.

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 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. You choose your level of commitment ranging from a minimum of 20 days and up to 150 days per year, with the potential to extend to 200 days. In your first year, this includes both Initial Employment and Military Training. On training completion, you can serve from as little as a couple of days a week, one weekend a month or in consecutive weeks - in a way that suits your lifestyle.

For entry as a lawyer, you must be of good character with no criminal convictions. If you have a number of lesser convictions or infringements, this may impact your chances of acceptance as a Navy Lawyer.

Course: Reserve Entry Officers' Course (REOC)
Duration: 4 weeks
Location: Royal Australian Naval College, HMAS Creswell, NSW

This course will provide you with an introduction to the Navy and a sound understanding of what it means to serve as a Navy Officer. It can be split into 2 blocks, both 2 weeks in length, to accommodate the shorter-term availability of Navy Reserve officers. Completion of training in one 4 week block is preferred.

The first 2 weeks include:

• leadership and management
• marching and parade training
• swim test
• fitness test
• practical team training
• introduction to Navy and compliance training
• issue of Uniforms and Navy ID.

The remaining 2 weeks of this phase consists of maritime/sea specific training covering the following areas:

• tour of a Navy warship
• survival at sea
• first aid
• 2-day sailing course
• military law
• maritime doctrine and operations.

ADF Weapons Training

This phase is conducted over a 2-week period in which you’ll learn how to safely handle and operate the ADF's in-service rifle – the Enhanced F88 Austeyr. Dates for this course will be provided to you by staff at the Royal Australian Naval College once you have completed your initial REOC training.

Course: Legal Training Module 1 (LTM1)
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Military Law Training Centre, Victoria Barracks, Paddington, Sydney, NSW

This course will equip you with the basic knowledge to work as an ADF lawyer at entry level rank and is usually completed within your first year. This residential course is followed by consolidation tasks that will be completed remotely.

You’ll also have the opportunity to complete Legal Training Modules 2 and 3 later in your career. These courses will equip you with the knowledge and reference materials to work at the tactical and operational levels as a senior Lieutenant and beyond.

Legal Training Module 2 (LTM2)

This training consists of the following courses:

• Military Justice Law
• Military Operations Law
• Military Legal Practice.

Each subject is delivered as a one or two-week intensive, followed by assessment tasks. LTM2 is usually completed over a period of 2 to 3 years. Completion will equip you with the knowledge and reference materials to work at the tactical and operational level at the senior Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander levels.

Legal Training Module 3 (LTM3)

This training is completed by all lawyers and consists of 3 core subjects:

• Advanced Military Administrative Law
• Advanced Military Discipline Law
• Advanced Military Operations Law.

Each subject is delivered as a one-week intensive course, followed by assessment tasks and will be sufficient for the granting of a Graduate Certificate of Military Law. If you don’t already have a master’s degree, you can then complete a further 4 master’s level elective subjects at the University of Adelaide to qualify for the award of a Master of Laws. LTM3 is usually completed over a period of 4 years.

Joint Operations Law Consolidation Course (JOLC)

Navy Legal Officers who wish to deploy on operations need to complete the Joint Operations Law Consolidation Course (JOLC).

JOLC provides the opportunity for select Legal Officers to be brought up to date on ADF capability, the operational environment and relevant legal issues. The course enables participants to apply the knowledge, skills and practical experience they have gained in the workplace to prepare them to deploy on operations. Performance on JOLC informs the Director-General Military Legal Service about the suitability of participants for deployment in the near to medium term. The course also identifies professional development opportunities and activities participants should undertake in order to move them along the continuum to make them ready for deployment.