General Requirements

Age Requirement

Commandos must be aged between 19 and 30 years inclusive on the day of enlistment.

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 obtain a security clearance appropriate to their avenue of entry.

A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and, as required, interviews enables the Regional Security Office to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability for a security clearance.

Current policy requires applicants for this particular avenue of entry to have lived in Australia for the preceding 10 years, or have a checkable background for this period.

Aptitude Requirement

It is essential that you have the ability to cope with the intellectual demands placed on you during your Commando training and service. This requires you to possess a high level of aptitude. To determine whether you do or do not have the necessary aptitude, you will be required to undertake a series of aptitude tests.

Gender Restriction

Other Ranks (Non Technical)

To be eligible for service as a Commando (ECN079) you must be male. All Commando (ECN079) positions are direct combat positions and Government policy currently precludes women from being employed in these positions.