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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 Navy you'll be paid a good salary from day one regardless of your age, experience or qualifications.

Officer Entry: ADFA

Course: Aviation Medicine 
Duration: One week 
Location: Institute of Aviation Medicine at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA

You’ll learn to understand and how manage the physiological challenges of flight such as G-forces and hypoxia.
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Course: Aircrew Combat Survive Evade Resist Escape (SERE) 
Duration: Two weeks 
Location: Combat Survival Training School, RAAF Base Townsville, Qld

You’ll learn how to survive in arduous and/or hostile environments during domestic and combat downed aircraft scenarios.
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Course: Helicopter Underwater Escape Training 
Duration: One day 
Location: HMAS Albatross
In a state-of-the-art facility, you’ll learn how to safely egress a submerged helicopter both with and without emergency breathing devices as well as other sea survival techniques.

Sub Specialist Option

A range of follow-on training may be available to Navy Helicopter Pilots including:

Qualified Flying Instructor: teach others to operate the various aircraft you flew on your way to becoming a Navy Pilot.

Test Pilot: conduct flight testing and trials as part of the Navy’s Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Test Unit.
General Naval Officer training: throughout your career, you’ll undertake non-aviation training to further broaden your military officer abilities in preparation for future staff, executive and command roles in the wider Navy, ADF and other government agencies, both nationally and internationally.

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

Course: Aviation Medicine 
Duration: One week 
Location: Institute of Aviation Medicine at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA

You’ll learn to understand and how manage the physiological challenges of flight such as G-forces and hypoxia.
<div class="divider-y" style="--margin-y:24px;">&nbsp;</div>
Course: Aircrew Combat Survive Evade Resist Escape (SERE) 
Duration: 2 weeks 
Location: Combat Survival Training School, RAAF Base Townsville, Qld

You’ll learn how to survive in arduous and/or hostile environments during domestic and combat downed aircraft scenarios.
<div class="divider-y" style="--margin-y:24px;">&nbsp;</div>
Course: Helicopter Underwater Escape Training 
Duration: One day 
Location: HMAS Albatross

In a state-of-the-art facility, you’ll learn how to safely egress a submerged helicopter both with and without emergency breathing devices as well as other sea survival techniques.

Sub Specialist Option

A range of follow-on training may be available to Navy Helicopter Pilots including:

Qualified Flying Instructor: teach others to operate the various aircraft you flew on your way to becoming a Navy Pilot.
Test Pilot: conduct flight testing and trials as part of the Navy’s Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Test Unit.
General Naval Officer training: throughout your career, you’ll undertake non-aviation training to further broaden your military officer abilities in preparation for future staff, executive and command roles in the wider Navy, ADF and other government agencies, both nationally and internationally.

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 Navy will look like.

Discover upcoming events and experiences. 

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

As a Helicopter Pilot, you’ll work in a tight-knit team carrying out a variety of missions, contributing to your ship's tactical operations and humanitarian missions at sea and ashore. Fly across land and seas controlling some of the most advanced aircraft in Australia.

You’ll be responsible for piloting helicopters landing safely on moving ships at sea, working in diverse weather conditions and hovering above submarines. You’ll ensure they are flown within appropriate parameters while not exceeding performance limitations.

Operate and pilot military helicopters to accomplish diverse missions at sea and ashore.

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Helicopter Pilot

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

Want to apply but need more info?

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