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 54 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.

Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education required with passes in Year 10 English, Maths and Science (with a Physics component).

Note: Consumer Maths, General Maths, Mathematics (General Mathematics) and similarly 'modified' Maths subjects are not suitable for this role.

Your application may be considered if you possess:

• relevant work experience
• other related qualifications that support recognition of prior learning consideration against the Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade
• other tertiary qualifications.

If you haven't completed Year 10, you may be able to undertake an education equivalency assessment to determine if you have the required education level for this role.

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 physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.

You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 6 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.

Preferred qualities include:

• well-developed motor skills and hand-eye coordination
• attention to detail
• prepared to sustain periods of heavy lifting
• prepared to work under pressure
• comfortable working in confined spaces
• ability to analyse, problem solve, and troubleshoot simple to complex systems, or the potential to develop this.

Course: Air Force Recruit Course
Duration: 11 weeks
Location: RAAF Base Wagga, NSW

During this training, you'll 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: Army Technical and Trade Weapons Technician course
Duration: 22 months
Location: Army School of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (ASEME), Bonegilla, Vic

During Initial Employment Training (IET), you'll be trained to become a highly skilled Air Force Fitter and Turner through learning how to operate, diagnose, service and repair equipment such as:

• chainsaw cutting systems
• air compressors and components
• pumping systems
• outdoor power equipment engines
• basic electrical circuits.

You’ll also learn how to operate, maintain and test small arms weapon systems and ancillaries such as:

• optical instruments (weapon sights)
• manually operated weapon systems (sniper rifles, grenade launchers and shotguns)
• recoil operated weapon systems (e.g. Glock all variants, Beretta 92 all variants and more)
• gas operated weapon systems (e.g. Austyer FOW, M16 FOW, M4A F89A1 Minimi, MAG 58 all variants and more).

On completion of IET, you’ll also be able to operate ADF vehicles such as the Protected Mobility General Maintenance Vehicle which will enable you to carry out your duties in a field environment.

Following the successful completion of your training at ASEME, you’ll be posted to an operational Air Force Unit to complete on-the-job training if required. This training will give you a good understanding of a Fitter and Turner’s duties, together with instruction on general and technical administration procedures.

Following successful completion and attainment of competency standards, you’ll be issued with a Certificate III in Engineering and a licence to perform dogging.

Technician Progression

As a Fitter and Turner, you can undergo advanced machinist training to become a Ground Mechanical Engineer Technician (GMETECH). This involves the successful completion of the Advanced Aircraft Machining course, which includes computer numerical control subjects. This course is managed by RAAFSTT Wagga and may be undertaken at various training locations. Please note, as there are only 2 GMETECH positions in the Air Force, availability is dependent on workforce requirements.

As you progress through your career, you may have opportunities to undertake additional training which will qualify you in:

• Restricted Electrical Work
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (leading to a qualification in Cert III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade-Refrigeration and Air Conditioning).

Generally, after completing your Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS), you can also apply for non-technical roles within areas such as personal management, workforce planning, Military Skills Instructing and the Australian Federation Guard. You might also consider applying for promotion to Officer Rank within selected categories.

Additionally, you’ll have opportunities to pursue advanced machinist training, which is a requirement for promotion to Ground Mechanical Technician (GMETECH). The course provides theoretical and practical instruction on material cutting processes for aircraft and ground support equipment components, including the identification of aircraft materials, cutting tools selection, OH&S in aviation and aircraft documentation.