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 to join ADFA from 16 years of age and must be at least 17 on the day of entry. The maximum age to join is 51 years.

You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.

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.

To be eligible for admission to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) at ADFA, you’ll need to have completed Year 12 with passes in English and 3 other Board of Secondary School Studies registered (or state equivalent) subjects and obtained an entrance rank high enough to qualify for entry into the relevant degree program.

Note: As well as applying to the Army for entry, you’ll also need to apply to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for entry to the University of New South Wales (UNSW). For more information, visit the UAC website or our ADFA page.

While at ADFA, you won’t incur a HECS-HELP debt as the Army will cover the cost of your course up to the Commonwealth Supported Place amount. This includes the higher costs associated with ADFA studies and may also cover any necessary equipment and education materials.

Officer Cadets can leave ADFA at any time within their first 2 years. Please note, if you choose to leave university, you'll be expected to reimburse the ADF for the academic training provided to date (i.e. you are not liable for the full cost if you leave before completion of the course). However, if you leave university but continue your career in the ADF by transferring to a Direct Entry role, you will not be expected to reimburse the ADF in this case.

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): 45
• Push-ups: 8
• Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.

Male

• Sit-ups (feet held): 45
• Push-ups: 15
• Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.

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.

You’ll be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 9 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. There is a 2-year grace period from appointment where you may resign, without any obligation. 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 any outstanding IMPS obligation and provide a minimum of 3 months’ notice.

You'll attend ADFA to complete your university studies over 3 years. You'll also complete the following military training around your study commitments.

Course: Year One Familiarisation Training (YOFT)
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT

YOFT is Initial Military Training to prepare you for life in the ADF. It's made up of the fundamental basic lessons and requirements to allow you to thrive and succeed in your new career.

Training includes:

• leadership
• ceremonial
• field training
• physical training
• adventurous training
• weapon training.

Course: Joint Military Education and Training (JMET)
Duration: 10 hours per week
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT

ADFA's JMET program establishes foundational military knowledge for Trainee Officers (TOs) in the profession of arms.

JMET has 5 core modules:

• Foundational Military Skills
• National Security Policy and Strategy
• Character Leadership and Ethics
• Technology and Capability
• Joint Warfare.

JMET integrates the professional military education of TOs with the academic program to establish foundational skills and historical, philosophical and technical literacy. The ADFA program of JMET and academic studies encourages curiosity and critical thinking so that TOs understand their role as leaders within the ADF, and their service's contribution to the Joint Force.

JMET training:

• character, leadership and ethics
• drill and ceremonial
• field craft
• joint warfare
• national security, policy and strategy
• physical training
• technology and capability
• weapons training.

Course: Single Service Training (SST)
Duration: During academic semester breaks
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT

Army SST gives you the opportunity to experience life in the Army and gain core Army leadership, technical and field skills.

• Combat fitness.
• Field craft.
• Leadership training.
• Radio communications.
• Work experience.
• Weapon handling.

After graduating from ADFA you'll join your direct-entry peers at the Royal Military College - Duntroon to complete the Officer Commissioning Program (OCP).

Having already completed the equivalent of the first semester of the OCP at ADFA, you'll join your direct entry peers for the final 2 semesters, each 6 months in duration.

Course: Officer Commissioning Program
Duration: 12 months
Location: Royal Military College: Duntroon, Canberra, ACT

While attending RMC-D, you'll be appointed as a Staff Cadet, organised into a Battalion known as the Corps of Staff Cadets. As a Staff Cadet, you'll be immersed in military life and culture. You'll already have completed the equivalent of the first semester of the OCP during ADFA, therefore, you'll only need to complete the final 2 semesters of the OCP, each approximately 6 months in duration.

The training program for the final 2 semesters includes:

• Foundation Leadership: will prepare you for your first appointment through exposure to military leadership and applied leadership
• Foundation Warfighting: develop knowledge of foundation warfighting in the contemporary operating environment through platoon-level tactical actions
• Foundation Military Planning: learn about critical thinking and planning in an operational context and command experience in a ‘simulated' environment
• Foundation Command: gain the necessary skills and knowledge to support training and administrative processes in a unit environment using your ethical framework.

After graduating as a Lieutenant, you'll be assigned to one of the Army's specialised branches, known as Corps, where you'll put what you've learned into practice. Initially, you'll be required to complete in-service Corps training and familiarisation. Then you may find yourself taking troops on deployment, through field exercises, physical training drills, or managing any number of vital Army functions.

During RMC Military Training, you may be required to pay a contribution towards your meals, accommodation and utilities.

Course: Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) Regimental Officers Basic Course
Duration: 26 weeks
Location: School of Military Engineering, Holsworthy, NSW

After graduation from the Corps Regimental Officer Basic course at the School of Military Engineering, Holsworthy, Sydney, you can expect a posting to a regimental unit to gain leadership/management experience as well as to practice your field engineering expertise. Further study is actively encouraged, and the Corps sponsors a number of officers each year for further study.

Throughout your military career, you’ll undertake formal courses of both a military and technical nature to be eligible for promotion and broaden your technical competence.

The following are examples of further professional development:

• Master of Project Management (Army Technical Staff Officers Course - ATSOC) conducted at the ADFA in Canberra. Positions are for a senior Captain/Major each year.
• Defence Aided Study Scheme (DASS) for the opportunity to choose your own university postgraduate opportunities.
• Master’s programs run by ADFA through UNSW are available to Army engineers.