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.

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 enter the Navy as a qualified musician, you’ll need to have one of the following qualifications.

• Qualified Entry Sailor – non degree (QES - non degree) - equivalent to an Associate in Music, Australia (AMusA) diploma or Industry Standard
• Qualified Entry Sailor – degree (QES - degree) - have a degree from a recognised institution, such as Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education or Bachelor of Arts (Music).

Your qualifications will need to be endorsed by the Directorate of Navy Workforce 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.

You’ll perform an audition for the Navy's Director of Music or representative, who will be looking for a demonstration of high musical ability on your instrument, a reasonable knowledge of the theory of music and the ability to read music where appropriate.

The minimum standards acceptable for competitive audition as a Qualified Entry Sailor (QES) are:

• QES (non-degree) - a standard commensurate with, but not exclusively aligned to, an Associate in Music, Australia (AMusA) diploma with professional level industry experience
• QES (degree) - a standard commensurate with their degree.

Course: Reserve Entry Recruit Course (RERC)
Duration: 4 weeks
Location: HMAS Cerberus, Vic

Training modules cover:

• basic naval knowledge
• swimming
• physical fitness
• parade training
• Navy values.

Members will return home on completion of the RERC training period. Further Reserve service will be undertaken in accordance with the member’s availability, and Navy Band requirements.

Course: Musician Initial Entry Training (MIET)
Duration: 36 days
Location: Online

In addition to normal band duties, you'll be required to undertake, and complete MIET. This is a self-paced, distance learning course designed to provide you with a broader understanding of the finer aspects of being a Naval Musician.

Topics include:

• ceremonial parade drill
• marching
• music theory
• Navy Band ethos.

This is undertaken in accordance with your availability and Navy Band requirements. Completion time is dependent on your availability and your skill level. You’ll have a maximum of 24 months for completion of the MIET.

Promotion Courses

Courses which prepare you for promotion including music, leadership and management will be provided by Navy at various stages of your Reserve career. They will include live-in and distance-learning formats.

Qualified Entry Sailor Musicians do not undergo formalised musical training on entry.