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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

You&rsquo;ll have the opportunity to complete further job-specific and career development training that will enhance your abilities to do your job more effectively.
Courses may include:
<ul>
 <li>personnel IT systems</li>
 <li>accounting</li>
 <li>procurement certification</li>
 <li>communication skills</li>
 <li>staff skills</li>
 <li>Ministerial writing</li>
 <li>promotion prerequisite courses</li>
 <li>media awareness</li>
 <li>joint warfare</li>
 <li>occupational health and safety</li>
 <li>conciliation and mediation skills</li>
 <li>investigation skills</li>
 <li>financial accounting and management.</li>
</ul>
Master of Business University of New South Wales (UNSW) at Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)
At the senior Flight Lieutenant/junior Squadron Leader level, there are some opportunities to apply to study, full-time, a Master of Business at UNSW at ADFA in Canberra. Your postgraduate qualifications would be specifically tailored to prepare you for a specialised workforce role.
Aside from any training directly related to your employment, you will also be required to undertake regular training to keep up your general military skills. Other training may include:
<ul>
 <li>Unit Security Officer course</li>
 <li>Unit Information System Officer course</li>
 <li>advanced joint operations and campaign planning courses.</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

Have your current studies sponsored
As an undergraduate studying for a role-relevant degree at an accredited university of your choice, you can join the ADF via Defence University Sponsorship (DUS). This means you&rsquo;ll have your fees paid for, earn a salary while you complete your degree, and walk straight into a great ADF role following graduation.
Who it&rsquo;s for:&nbsp;Those already studying a relevant degree (or in some cases, those who have accepted an offer) at an Australian university. You&rsquo;ll earn a salary while you study and have the remainder of your university fees paid in return for a commitment to an officer role.

Officer Entry: Undergraduate

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. 

Visit UNSW and begin your application to study a relevant degree.

As a Personnel Officer, you could be employed in a range of roles within the Air Force and the wider ADF.
You'll support commanders through the delivery of workforce management expertise, timely and necessary information to support decision-making, and assistance through day-to-day function support.

In this varied position, you&rsquo;ll be responsible for the Air Force&rsquo;s most valued assets, its people, from both a capability and a welfare perspective. You could find yourself working across a wide range of areas to support unit, commanding officers, Air Force personnel and their families. You&rsquo;ll specialise in human resources and case management, operational support, communication, workforce planning and organisational change, personnel management and training, or resource management and be one of the first on the ground wherever personnel deploy.
You may end up working closely with support specialists, such as chaplains, doctors, psychologists and social workers. You&rsquo;ll also often work directly with the unit's Commanding Officer (CO) providing not only specialist advice but maintaining the unit's information and financial accountability.

Step up to a human resources role that helps keep the Air Force operating at peak capability, through workforce planning, people management and training.

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Personnel Officer

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

Want to apply but need more info?

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