General Requirements

Age Requirement

Must be aged between 17 and 55 years inclusive on day of entry.

Applicants will not be allowed to enter the ADF until they achieve a minimum of 17 years of age, however they may be able to initiate the application process from 16 years and six months of age, depending upon the capacity of their local recruiting centre.

Citizenship Requirement

Only Australian citizens are permitted to serve in the ADF.

If you are a Permanent Resident of Australia, the ADF may consider a temporary waiver of the citizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who meets all the citizenship requirements, and then only in exceptional circumstances. You will be required to obtain Australian citizenship as early as possible following enlistment or appointment.

More information on citizenship requirements and the citizenship waiver process is available from the Recruitment Centre and your local Defence Force Recruiting Centre.

Security Requirement

The Department of Defence requires ADF entrants to attain a security clearance appropriate to their avenue of entry.

For entry in this employment you should be aware that the following security issues need to be considered:

• To obtain the necessary security clearance, you must be an Australian citizen. Your security application will not be progressed until your citizenship is confirmed;
• For employment in this category, you will need to hold a TOP SECRET POSITIVE VETTED clearance. The clearance process is lengthy (usually between 6-12 months following submission of e-pack security clearance documentation) and by necessity, detailed and intrusive. The POSITIVE VETTING process cannot begin until you are an Australian citizen.
• Applicants should be aware that to be granted this level of clearance, you must have a checkable background for the past ten years. You should also be aware that any lengthy overseas stay during this period could make security checking difficult. Such difficulty may result in a conclusion that it is not possible to adequately check your background, thereby disqualifying you from being considered for employment in this occupation.
• Applicants should also be aware that delays to Initial Employment Training are possible if the Top Secret security clearance is not processed prior to commencement of this training. Prompt completion of the online e-pack security clearance documentation prior to enlistment assists with processing the security clearance.
• To be employed as a GIA, you are required to undertake a security Psychology Assessment (PA), as well as being TOP SECRET POSITIVE VETTED. If a member unsuccessfully attempts the PA, they will not be able to work in this area and may be deemed unsuitable for this employment field.

Aptitude Requirement

Other Ranks (Non Technical)

The application process to join the Australian Defence Force requires you to complete a series of aptitude tests including verbal, spatial and numerical ability and a general maths test. Some jobs may also need additional testing at a later date.

Psychology support staff will explain what is involved with each test.

The aptitude tests provide information about your suitability for the Defence Force and for particular jobs. Defence Force Recruiting can then help you identify jobs that match your abilities.

Further information on the aptitude testing requirements can be found here.