Entry
Graduate
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.
Specialist Reserve
The Royal Australian Air Force Specialist Reserve (Air Force SR) is comprised of volunteer members who are highly motivated towards the Air Force and their Reserve commitment. The role of the Specialist Reserve is to provide on an on-call basis, selected professional services that are not otherwise retained permanently in the Air Force.
Entry into the Air Force SR is by selection to fill available vacancies. Officer entry into all elements of the Air Force Reserve is by competitive selection, and is on the same basis as for entry into the PAF.
Attendance Commitment
Air Force SR members are to perform a minimum of seven days Reserve service in each financial year but may perform considerably more than this on a voluntary basis as tasks and opportunities arise.
The maximum number of days of Reserve service within a financial year for members of the Air Force SR is 150. Members may only be paid for those days that have been approved by their respective sponsoring authority.
Annual Activities
Air Force SR members are expected to maintain a minimum standard of health, fitness and military preparedness, which will be assessed on an annual basis. This will include the requirement for Air Force SR members to maintain proficiency in weapons handling.
Discipline
Air Force SR personnel are governed by exactly the same discipline code as members of the Permanent Air Force. Applicants should carefully consider their adaptability requirements such as the wearing of uniforms, saluting, drill and the requirement to display a high standard of dress and bearing.
Uniforms
Members of the Air Force SR are entitled to a free issue of uniform upon appointment. Each issued item has a life expectancy and the item may be exchanged for a new one after this time. The Chief of Air Force (CAF) has determined that during any prescribed form of service, Air Force SR members are on duty and must wear uniform.
Medical and Dental
Members of the Air Force SR are only entitled to emergency medical and dental treatment while on duty.
Further information on part-time ADF careers can be found by accessing the Defence Reserves Support Council website.
The Council 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 is a category of the reserve that 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 Air Force Active Reserve or Specialist Reserve.
After completing your training in the Active Reserve or Specialist Reserve, you may then volunteer for the High Readiness Reserve (if there is a position available and vacant). Volunteer service in the High Readiness Reserve attracts an annual financial 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.