Chef - ADF Gap Year
As a Gap Year Chef, you’ll fuel Air Force members by planning and preparing food on well-equipped air base facilities, inflight kitchens, and field kitchens on exercises.
What you'll do
With new menus created every day, you’ll be catering high quality meals on bases, in-flight kitchens or in field kitchens. You’ll also get experience outside of kitchen duties participating in various exercises – there’s never a dull day.
Your duties may include:
- developing nutritious daily menus
- preparing main meals, salads and sweets
- preparing in-flight catering for aircrew and passengers
- supporting VIP events and functions.
After finishing your Gap Year program, you can choose to continue your full-time career in the Air Force or change to a part-time role in the Air Force Reserve.
There is no obligation to serve in the ADF beyond the 12-month Gap Year program period. You can take your new skills and experiences to gain an edge in future careers outside the ADF.
Following training, you could be posted for approximately 4 months at either RAAF Base Amberley, Qld, RAAF Base Darwin, NT or RAAF Base Tindal, NT. Your preferences regarding the nature and location of your posting will be considered, although other factors, such as Air Force requirements and your particular qualifications and skills, may be prioritised.
Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Requirements and training
You need to be an Australian citizen to be eligible for the ADF Gap Year program.
You must be aged between 17 and 24 years of age at the time of your enlistment or appointment. You must also be 18 years of age by the graduation date of your Initial Military Training.
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.
You’ll need to have completed Year 10 with passes in Year 10 English and Maths.
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.
Your Gap Year experience will commence at the start of the year and will conclude 12 months later. Subsequent periods of service in the Regular or Reserve ADF may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may request discharge at any time by providing 21 days’ notice.
If you are currently or have previously served in the ADF or foreign service, you’re not eligible for Gap Year. You must be an Australian Citizen to be eligible for the Gap Year Program.
Course: Air Force Recruit Training
Duration: 11 weeks
Location: RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
During this training you will transition from civilian to Service life, acquiring the basic knowledge, skills and physical fitness required for your role; and learning to become an effective and productive member of the Air Force.
The major elements of the course include:
- personal development and teamwork
- parade drill
- weapon handling and firing
- airfield defence
- fire fighting
- physical fitness
- Air Force history, customs and traditions
- military law.
After graduation, you'll undertake Initial Employment Training (IET) in your trade or category.
Course: ADF Catering Operators Course
Duration: 27 weeks
Location: ADF School of Catering (ADFSC), HMAS Cerberus, Vic
Holmesglen Institute of TAFE in partnership with ADFSC delivers the Initial Employment Training (IET) for chef trainees. Initial chefs will be signed up as apprentices by Apprenticeships Victoria.
IET provides both practical and theoretical instruction in all aspects of cookery and kitchen activities.
- Kitchen safety.
- Hygiene.
- Knife handling, care and maintenance.
- Cooking techniques.
- Food inspection, preparation and storage.
- Food decoration and presentation.
- Meat recognition and handling.
- Field/deployment cookery which will include siting and establishment of a field kitchen, tentage and camouflage, and the operation and maintenance of field catering equipment.
Upon completion of IET, you'll be awarded a Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery).
Subject to completion of 3 years’ service as a chef and all relevant training, including successful completion of the ADF Chef's Workplace Journal, you'll be awarded chef trade papers.
Upon completion of the ADF Catering Operators Course, you’ll be issued a Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery).
You’ll undertake Chef duties for approximately 4 months at either RAAF Base Amberley, Darwin or Tindal to consolidate your training.
In addition, you may become eligible for higher standings following the completion of various post graduate Chef courses and the Air Force Chef Workplace Journal.