Job Details

ADF Gap Year

The ‘gap’ between leaving school and entering a career or undertaking further education at university can be confusing and filled with too many expectations. But it doesn’t have to be this way. While you are waiting for the right opportunities to come along, why not spend this ‘Gap Year’ gaining skills and overcoming challenges that few will experience in their whole lifetime? For 12 months you can enjoy a terrific lifestyle and receive benefits such as high quality training while receiving an attractive income and other benefits not available outside of the defence force.

If you are a Year 12 school leaver and want to do something different during this period then you should consider the unique and exciting opportunities a ‘Gap Year’ as a soldier in the Australian Army can bring.

The Gap Year Program will provide you with an opportunity to join others as you challenge yourself, learn new and exciting skills, and extend your knowledge about yourself, your environment, and the important role played by our defence forces. During this program you will:

• Develop skills, knowledge, self-confidence, self-discipline, decision making, personal fitness and teamwork – skills and attributes important to any future career you may wish to pursue;
• Receive an attractive adult salary, as well as the other benefits of standard Army entitlements such as free medical and dental care, subsidised accommodation and meals and employment allowances;
• Experience military training and lifestyle for 12 months;
• Improve your understanding of the Australian Defence Force and the contribution it makes to Australia’s national security;
• Improve your understanding of Army’s careers, and the range of employment opportunities available in the Australian Defence Force; and
• Depending on the job you fill, you may also travel widely throughout Australia – and perhaps overseas – and visit places you may never have thought of visiting.

Most importantly, it will help you to get the best out of yourself and gain skills that others often have to wait years to obtain.

Not all Army jobs are available to the Gap Year program, as some require you to spend too long in training. However, the different jobs available still offer you challenging workplace experiences. Following are the current Army jobs available in the Gap Year program:

• Administration Clerk – responsible for the effective and efficient administration of the Army.
• Artillery - Air Defender – locating, identifying and tracking enemy aircraft using radar and missile technology.
• Artilleryman – maintaining and firing artillery pieces, and taking part in field exercises.
• Cavalryman – drives and helps to maintain the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV).
• Clerk Finance– provide the finance and pay services essential to the day to day management of the Army.
• Combat Engineer – learn a wide range of skills from bridge building to using explosives to demolish a target.
• Driver Transport – driving and maintaining light and heavy vehicles, carrying supplies and troops over roads and difficult terrain.
• Preventive Medicine - studies, assesses and controls environmental and occupational health threats.
• Rifleman – a member of a small team operating a wide range of weapons, sighting systems and communications equipment.
• Supply Coordinator – an essential position within the logistics and supply-chain system.
• Tank Crewman – operates and helps maintain the Abrams main battle tank.

The general military training and job specific trade training and qualifications for the jobs listed above are the same as those undertaken by fulltime members of the Australian Defence Force. This means that not only will you get the opportunity to obtain skills with weapons, combat tactics and ceremonial procedures, you will also gain credits towards many civilian qualifications that can be used outside of the military environment. You will be supported throughout your training by professional and enthusiastic Army personnel who will provide the guidance necessary for you to achieve your goals.

Army’s Gap Year Program integrates Gap Year participants into the Australian Regular Army (ARA). You will enjoy all the benefits of a great social life, mateship, being part of a team, the ANZAC spirit, sport, physical fitness training, etc. But as Army personnel are required to work long and/or irregular hours, or to participate in operational activities where a degree of personal risk still exists, you will also experience the special demands of Service life.

Being a member of the Army you may be required to deploy to the field on exercise or to undertake special tasks in support of other Army units. This is Army lifestyle. Deployments within Australia and overseas could occur in response to events such as peacekeeping missions, planned exercises and natural disasters. In many cases, members are required to move at short notice to areas providing only basic amenities, and will result in your separation from your family. As a Gap year participant you may be required to deploy. Exposure to the special demands of Service life makes you ‘adaptable’ and prepares you for many of the challenges of civilian study or employment.