The Royal Australian Air Force has a huge job to do including keeping the nation's air defence capabilities operational, providing a search and rescue function and assisting in times of national emergency. If you are already a degree qualified professional, and looking for a job that offers satisfaction, excitement and a challenge and the opportunity to utilise and further develop your management and leadership skills, then you may wish to consider a career as an Officer (Graduate Only) in the Air Force.

Degree qualified officers normally start their careers at one rank higher than non-graduate officers.

The Royal Australian Air Force Active Reserve (RAAFAR) is composed of volunteer members who are highly motivated towards the Air Force and their Reserve commitment.

The function of the RAAF Reserve is to complement the work of Permanent Air Force members by providing trained Reserve personnel to support the Permanent Air Force in operational deployments or associated support activities during a Defence contingency. During times of peace the RAAF Reserve supplements the Permanent Air Force to undertake peacetime tasks and trains RAAF Reserve personnel to become effective members of the RAAF.

Employment in the Air Force Reserve is a constantly challenging, ever-evolving job that gives you the opportunity to work in a unique environment that's in complete contrast to your everyday job. You will receive many of the benefits of Air Force life and provide a real contribution to Australia's defence capability, without the full time commitment. Not only will you receive first hand experience of Air Force life, but your pay is tax free. What's more, the training you'll gain and the new skills you'll develop will help you grow personally and professionally, not only in your Air Force career but in your regular full time job as well.

The Active Reserves play a vital role in the Air Force. There are a range of part time jobs that have Permanent Air Force equivalents. While many Reservists are former members of the Air Force, opportunities exist for people with no previous military experience. Just like full time Air Force personnel, Reservists have the opportunity to travel on exercises and may even apply for operational service should the opportunity arise. Active Reserve members may be utilised in an area of war operations or in backfill positions left vacant by other Air Force personnel who have been deployed.

Attendance Commitment

RAAFAR members are required to attend for a minimum of 32 training days each financial year. This may include a continuous training period of 14 days. Approval can be granted to work up to 200 days; however, members typically average 40 training days annually.

A RAAFAR member may volunteer for a period of full-time service with the Permanent Air Force, provided the member's services are required.

Annual Activities

During RAAFAR service all members are required to complete the following activities:

• physical fitness test;
• continuation training consisting of first aid, firefighting, equity, OHS, security, weapons and ground defence; and
• Ground combat training is undertaken every two years.

Applicant Selection Process

Entry into the RAAFAR is by selection to fill available vacancies. The selection standards are the same as those for joining the Permanent Air Force (PAF).

Initial contact to join the RAAFAR is made through either the local RAAFAR squadron or an Australian Defence Force Recruiting Centre or by telephoning 13 19 01. A Careers Counsellor will speak with you on various aspects of the RAAFAR and your qualifications for the desired position will be discussed. If you meet the minimum requirement, an interview will be arranged for you with a senior member of a RAAFAR Squadron who will explain the RAAFAR in more detail. At this stage an application form will normally be issued to you.

Following receipt of your application, you will normally be called into the nearest Australian Defence Force Recruiting Centre for testing. Testing generally takes a full day and includes:

• a medical examination;
• aptitude testing;
• a psychologists interview; and
• a recruiting officer interview.

The cost of travel to and from the Australian Defence Force Recruiting Unit, as well as accommodation costs for country applicants, will be met by the RAAF.

Applicants who are assessed as suitable will be considered in competition with other suitable applicants for the positions available.

Further information on part-time ADF careers can be found by accessing the Defence Reserves website.

The Defence Reserves Support Council also promotes the benefits of Reserve service by establishing partnerships with the community and employers.

Further Opportunities

The Air Force High Readiness Reserve provides a short notice response force to complement the full-time Air Force in the event of a declared Defence emergency. The High Readiness Reserve category draws its members from the trained people already providing service in other categories of the Air Force Reserve, and consequently is not generally open to direct civilian entrants. Entry to the High Readiness Reserve is through the RAAF Active Reserve or RAAF Specialist Reserve. After completing your training in the Active Reserve or Specialist Reserve, you may then volunteer for the High Readiness Reserve. Volunteer service in the High Readiness Reserve attracts an annual bonus of $5000 to compensate for additional obligations and commitment, as well as an annual allowance of $2500 to help maintain the health and fitness required for short notice service.