Education Requirements

Graduate, Graduate (Reserve)

An applicant for appointment to the Royal Australian Army Chaplain Department (RAA Ch D) is required to:

• Be from an endorsed denomination or faith group represented within the current religious diversity of Army personnel. These denominations are currently the Anglican Church, Catholic Church, Uniting Church, Presbyterian Church, Baptist Union of Australia, Lutheran Church of Australia, Churches of Christ, Salvation Army and Council of Australian Jewry.
• Provide documented evidence of a minimum of three years denominationally endorsed  theological and ministry training;
• Provide documented evidence of ordination or equivalent;
• Have at least two years post-ordination pastoral ministry experience (but preference is for at least five years);
• Have endorsement and approval from the candidate’s denomination, at the national level, that they are in good standing with their denomination and suitable representatives for Army Chaplaincy;
• Have approval of the Army Principal Chaplain to initiate recruiting;
• Be deemed suitable by the appropriate denominational Senior Chaplain (full-time candidates) or Regional Staff Chaplain (part-time candidates) and be endorsed by the appropriate member of the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services (RACS) or Churches Advisory Committee (CAC) member (ARes); and
• Satisfy the entry criteria applicable for Army officers.