Psychologist
What you'll do
You’ll apply your specialist knowledge to support ADF members to maintain their effectiveness with a focus on organisational psychology.
Depending on your area of expertise, you'll perform important tasks that range from organisational psychology and recruitment assessments to work that is specific to aviation or clinical psychology. You may also get involved in personnel training across a variety of disciplines, post operation screening and clinical support.
Your duties may include:
- organisational/industrial psychology
- aviation human factors psychology
- clinical psychology.
Following training, you could serve on a flexible basis at one of the many Air Force bases, though you may be expected to live within a minimum distance. You’ll be posted to either an Air Force Psychology section or an Air Force Health Services Wing for duty. You may also be deployed to another Australian or foreign military base during exercises and in response to international events.
Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Requirements and training
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.
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 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, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
There is no minimum number of years required in the ADF Reserve as service is voluntary. You can volunteer until the Defence retirement age of 65, subject to the requirements and your suitability for further service.
Reserve service is flexible and can fit around your family, life and work responsibilities. You choose your level of commitment ranging from a minimum of 20 days and up to 150 days per year, with the potential to extend to 200 days. In your first year, this includes both Initial Employment and Military Training. On training completion, you can serve from as little as a couple of days a week, one weekend a month or in consecutive weeks - in a way that suits your lifestyle.
Course: Specialist Reserve Officer Induction Course
Duration: 5 days
Location: RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
This course will provide you with general service knowledge, including:
- Air Force customs
- mess etiquette
- air power studies
- organisation of the ADF
- basic practical instruction in drill movements.
You may be required to attend training courses during your career, such as:
- Aeromedical Evacuation – 4 weeks
- Military Critical Care Aeromedical Transport – 1 week.