Training Systems Officer
As a Training Systems Officer, you’ll provide the Air Force with subject matter expertise in contemporary learning techniques, training management and quality assurance. Your main responsibility will be to provide expert advice to enhance the quality and effectiveness of Air Force and the ADF training systems.
Training Systems Officers are integral to the management of the Air Force Learning System (AFLS) and apply education and training system expertise to ensure education and training quality, governance and compliance is maintained to maximise current and future Air Force and Defence capability.
What you'll do
You’ll work in support of diverse adult education and Vocational Education and Training (VET) related roles, and with subject matter experts to analyse, design, and evaluate training to meet workplace needs. You’ll provide advice on Defence training policy, governance and frameworks. You’ll also identify the training needs for new information systems, radars and aircraft, audit training standards for quality assurance and evaluate the effectiveness of operational training in preparing Air Force members for their combat roles.
If you’re employed within dedicated training units, you’ll be responsible for consulting and coordinating training with military/civilian training staff, external service providers and students. If you’re working within headquarters of operational units, you may provide advice on the innovative use of training philosophies and technologies and develop and manage Defence, Air Force and local training related policy and procedures.
Your duties will depend on where you’re working, whether that’s as a member of a dedicated training unit at an Air Force base or working at the headquarters of an operational unit. Your duties may include:
- learning analysis and identification of learning requirements
- evaluation and reporting of training effectiveness
- assurance of training quality and standards
- instructional and training management roles in ADF environments
- implementation and integration of new learning technologies
- development and maintenance of innovative training policy and strategy
- provision of specialist education and training advice
- leadership and command roles in Air Force training units.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, the Air Force will provide you with leadership, management and communications training to develop your ability to effectively manage your teams. You’ll also be provided with training opportunities to further develop your role-related skills. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and enable you to become an influential leader in the Air Force.
As an officer in the Air Force, 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.
Following training, you may be posted to most Air Force bases and other Defence establishments in Australia, as well as limited overseas opportunities.
Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.
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. The maximum age to join is 57 years.
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.
The minimum requirement for entry into this role is a tertiary qualification in education or training from the following disciplines:
- Adult Education
- Vocational Education and Training
- Training Technology
- Primary or Secondary Education
- Learning Design
- Human Resource Development
Tertiary level qualifications include:
- 3 - 4-year undergraduate bachelor's degree
- dual or combined degree programs that include an education and/or training degree
- postgraduate education and/or training degree or diploma in addition to completion of an academic degree in a non-education/training related field
- Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector qualification in an education and/or training discipline AND significant experience in education, training and/or learning systems implementation and management roles within industry and/or the VET sector.
Experience in learning leadership roles and the application of systems thinking processes to the learning environment are highly desirable.
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
- Shuttle Run Score: 5.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- 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.
You’ll be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 3 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation and provide a minimum of 3 months' notice.
Course: Initial Officer Course
Duration: 12 weeks
Location: RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
Phase 1: Military Introduction. During this phase of training, you’ll be introduced to life in the military. The themes of values-based behaviour, self-leadership, team membership and followership are explored through collaborative problem solving, self-mastery and resilience building activities. Weapons qualification and martial skills are included in this phase.
Phase 2: Education. During this phase of training, you’ll be introduced to leading military teams, effectively managing a workplace and applying critical thinking skills. The themes of moral courage, moral judgement and social mastery are explored through scenario-based experiential learning opportunities and facilitated decision making. Air and space power immersion in the joint environment is included in this phase.
Phase 3: Application. During this phase of training, you’ll consolidate what you’ve learned so far and you’ll apply those skills in practical leadership exercises in a simulated combat environment. The themes of values-based behaviour and the development of Officer Qualities are explored through the application of transformational leadership.
You’ll be challenged early, well supported and physically prepared. Outside of the classroom you’ll participate in physical training, adventure training and visit other Air Force bases to contextualise what you have learnt. Upon graduation, you’ll undertake specialist employment training or proceed direct to your workplace.
Course: Training Systems Officer Initial Course
Duration: 17 weeks
Location: ADF Training Systems School (ADFTSS), HMAS Cerberus, Vic
Your Initial Employment Training (IET) is designed to introduce you to Defence training processes and includes an Air Force specific module that will apply your existing skills and knowledge to the Air Force environment.
The training involves a combination of online, remote training at posted location, and formal on-course training at military training units.
On completion of IET, you will progress your professional development within your posted location.
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.
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.
With Defence University Sponsorship (DUS), you won’t incur a HELP or HECS-HELP debt as the Air Force will cover the cost of your course up to the Commonwealth Supported Place amount. This may also cover any necessary equipment and education materials.
You can apply for DUS at any point during your degree (so long as you have an offer of placement from an Australian university), however, the Air Force will only sponsor the study from your date of appointment into the Air Force. Relevant disciplines that are eligible for sponsorship include:
- Adult Education
- Vocational Education and Training
- Training Technology
- Primary or Secondary Education
- Learning Design
- Human Resource Development
If you're in high school, it's best to apply in your final year of school, to maximise your sponsorship time (if you join after having started your degree, you are ineligible to have your degree back paid). If you‘re out of high school, you should apply as early as you can so you can maximise the benefits of your sponsorship.
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
- Shuttle Run Score: 5.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- 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.
You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Course: Undergraduate Familiarisation Course
Duration: 1 week
Location: Officers' Training School (OTS) RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
During your first year of sponsorship, you'll attend a one-week Familiarisation Course at RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria. This will introduce you to basic military protocols and procedures.
Following graduation, you’ll undertake the Initial Officer Course of 12 weeks duration. This is a live-in course completed at RAAF Base East Sale.
Course: Initial Officer Course
Duration: 12 weeks
Location: RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
Phase 1: Military Introduction. During this phase of training, you’ll be introduced to life in the military. The themes of values-based behaviour, self-leadership, team membership and followership are explored through collaborative problem solving, self-mastery and resilience building activities. Weapons qualification and martial skills are included in this phase.
Phase 2: Education. During this phase of training, you’ll be introduced to leading military teams, effectively managing a workplace and applying critical thinking skills. The themes of moral courage, moral judgement and social mastery are explored through scenario-based experiential learning opportunities and facilitated decision making. Air and space power immersion in the joint environment is included in this phase.
Phase 3: Application. During this phase of training, you’ll consolidate what you’ve learned so far and you’ll apply those skills in practical leadership exercises in a simulated combat environment. The themes of values-based behaviour and the development of Officer Qualities are explored through the application of transformational leadership.
You’ll be challenged early, well supported and physically prepared. Outside of the classroom you’ll participate in physical training, adventure training and visit other Air Force bases to contextualise what you have learnt. Upon graduation, you’ll undertake specialist employment training or proceed direct to your workplace.
Course: Training Systems Officer Initial Course
Duration: 17 weeks
Location: ADF Training Systems School (ADFTSS), HMAS Cerberus, Vic
Your Initial Employment Training (IET) provides you with a robust understanding of how to apply your existing knowledge to the Air Force/Defence environment. Conducted with Navy Training System Officers, it’ll introduce you to the Defence Learning Environment policies, processes, and procedures used to deliver and manage learning across Air Force and Defence, whilst growing your network within the Defence Learning Environment.
The training involves a combination of online, remote training at your posted location, and formal on-course training at military training units.
On completion of IET, you’ll progress your professional development within your posted location.
You’ll have opportunities to complete further job specific and career development training throughout your career.