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.

Applicants must be no older than 56 on appointment.

You will need a driver’s licence for this role but 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 a bachelor’s degree in a relevant communications discipline such as public relations, communications or journalism from a nationally recognised and accredited tertiary institution. 

Alternatively, you’ll need a minimum of 5 years of prior naval service and 2 years’ experience in a relevant public affairs field, pending the recency of both.

Consideration will be given to non-communications specific degrees on a case-by-case basis, provided you have at least 2 years’ experience in a communications field. Marketing degrees may be considered where they apply to communications rather than finance. Other types of bachelor degrees such as Arts may be considered where a candidate majored in a relevant field or has a significant number of units related to media and communications. Bachelors of Photography or similar disciplines focussed on technical skill in camera operation will not be considered.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate their work experience by providing examples of work that align with the duties of this role. Examples include written work including media releases, published work, communications planning and reputation management.

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.

In addition to demonstrating current knowledge, skills and experience, you’ll also need to display the following:

• highly developed written and verbal communication skills across different mediums
• sound understanding of media dynamics
• confidence in dealing with the media and senior officers
• ability to work well in a crisis 
• broad understanding of the Navy.

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: Military Public Affairs Officer Basic Course
Duration: 12 weeks
Location:Joint Training Command, Simpson Barracks, Melbourne, Vic

Course description:This course is a blended learning course over a 12-week period consisting of 10 online evening sessions over 10 weeks followed by a 9-day residential phase.

You consolidate your employment training on-the-job by completing a Professional Development Journal over no-less than one year. A supervisor will help you find opportunities to complete each module of your journal.