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Eligibility Checklist

Before you apply, make sure you meet the basic role requirements. You'll find detailed information on the <a href="?tab=ways-to-join">Ways to join</a> tab.

Earn a fully funded degree
Originating from a unique partnership between the ADF and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), ADFA offers world-class education plus cutting-edge military and leadership training at our Canberra campus. In addition to being expertly trained in the art of leadership and management, you'll undertake a degree in Arts, Business, Science, Engineering or Computing.
Who it&rsquo;s for:&nbsp;Those wanting a fully funded world-class degree from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). You&rsquo;ll earn a salary while you study and graduate HELP-debt-free.

Officer Entry: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)

You'll be paid while you study. On completion of your degree, Initial Military Training and Initial Employment Training, you'll earn at least:

Training

Your salary while studying

Trained

Your salary once trained

In the Air Force you'll be paid a good salary from day one regardless of your age, experience or qualifications.

Officer Entry: ADFA

Further training courses are available on completion of Initial Employment Training (IET) including the following: 
<ul>
<li>Air Traffic Control Approach Course </li>
<li>Air Traffic Control Advanced Training Course </li>
<li>Air Traffic Control Instructor Course. </li>
</ul>

Become an officer
You can choose to become an officer in the Navy, Army or Air Force via Direct Entry and have your training paid for while also getting paid. As long as you&rsquo;re a school leaver who has passed year 12, you can head straight into officer training with the ADF service of your choice.
Who it&rsquo;s for:&nbsp;Year 12 graduates or qualified professionals.

You'll be paid while you train, and on completion of your Initial Military Training and Employment Training, you’ll earn at least:

Your starting salary

Officer Entry: Officer

Key Information

Still have questions? Check out our FAQs.

Interested? Complete an Expression of Interest and we'll be in touch.

Hear first-hand about what working in the ADF is really like. 

Explore what training in the Air Force will look like.

Discover upcoming events and experiences. 

As an Air Traffic Controller in the Air Force, you’ll provide Air Base Air Traffic Services and airspace management in support of flying operations and training at one of the many military airfields and joint-user airfields around Australia. Assuring the safe and efficient flow of air traffic, you'll give guidance to aircraft both on the ground and in the air. 

This role is part of the Officer Aviation career specialisation and as you progress through your training, you’ll be assigned into either the Mission or Pilot pathway. For more information on these pathways, and the roles that sit within each, visit <a href="/careers/joining/pathways?page-tab=air-force">the Officer Aviation pathways page</a>.

This role is part of the Officer Aviation career specialisation, which is a group of air and ground-based aviation roles that sit within 2 pathways: Mission and Pilot. In these exciting officer roles, you’re trained to become a world-class leader, manager and decision maker, operating some of the most advanced aircraft and aviation systems in the world. 

The application process for all roles is the same – you apply as Mission or Pilot and you find out which career pathway and role you’ve been chosen for as your application progresses, which is based on a combination of your job preference, performance and position availability.

Officer Aviation career pathways  

You’ll be responsible for all Air Force aircraft as well as civilian aircraft traffic at the airfields where military Air Traffic Control is provided. You may be called upon to control the airspace above a battlefield, over land or the sea and this sees Air Traffic Controllers often working extensively with the Army and Navy, including controlling from Navy ships.

Take command of the skies in an exciting career similar to a civilian Air Traffic Controller role but with challenging extra dimensions unique to battlefield aerial environments. 

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Air Traffic Controller

Find out what it’s like

Benefits you won't see anywhere else

You’ll enjoy the following:

Great salary from day one, which increases with experience

Generous superannuation of 16.4% – a huge 4.9% over the Australian standard

Help to buy a home, a subsidised home loan or rent allowance

Free medical and dental for you, and subsidised healthcare for you and your family

Fully paid training

Officer Aviation career pathways

Want to apply but need more info?

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