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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

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. 

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

As a Weapon Systems Officer, you&rsquo;ll be part of the fast jet aircrew who operate on the F/A-18F Super Hornet or the EA-18G Growler aircraft. You&rsquo;ll team up with the pilot to operate state-of-the-art mission systems, including electronic warfare equipment and sensors. 
There are 2 variations of this role depending on the aircraft you're assigned to during Initial Specialist Employment Training. If you're assigned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet, you&rsquo;ll be a Weapon Systems Officer (WSO), and if you're assigned to the EA-18G Growler, you&rsquo;ll be an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO). 
This role is part of the Officer Aviation career specialisation and as you progress through your training, you&rsquo;ll be assigned into either the Mission or Pilot pathway. For more information on these pathways, and the roles that sit within each, visit the <a href="/careers/joining/pathways?page-tab=air-force" target="_self">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&rsquo;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 &ndash; you apply as Mission or Pilot and you find out which career pathway and role you&rsquo;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 at the heart of Australia's air combat capability working with either the F/A-18F Super Hornet or the EA-18G Growler aircraft. Your role will be varied and complex in nature, and include air-to-air combat, air-to surface weapons employment or electronic attack. 

As a WSO in the back of an F/A-18F Super Hornet, you'll employ air-to-surface ordinance, as well as operate state-of-the-art missiles and sensors such as radar and infra-red targeting systems. 

As an EWO in the back of an EA-18G Growler, you'll control electronic warfare equipment and air-to-surface missiles to disrupt, deceive and deny a broad range of military electronic systems, including radars and communications.

Operate sophisticated airborne electronic and weapon systems from some of the world’s fastest fighter aircraft, or manage air combat or electronic warfare missions.

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Weapon Systems Officer (WSO)

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

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