General Requirements
Age Requirement
Other Ranks (Non Technical)
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.
Other Ranks (Non Technical) (Reserve)
Applicants must be aged between 17 and 58 years of age inclusive on 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
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 background for this period, which can be verified.
The Department of Defence requires ADF entrants to attain a security clearance appropriate to their avenue of entry. RA Sigs requires the applicant to be security cleared to SECRET within 6 months of enlistment. Should a clearance not be able to be secured within this timeframe the employment within RA Sigs will be reconsidered and the soldier may be given the opportunity to transfer to another Corps within Army. A further security clearance to TOP SECRET will be required during your career.
Aptitude Requirement
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.
Gender Restriction
Other Ranks (Non Technical), Other Ranks (Non Technical) (Reserve)
There is no gender restriction for this role. Employment is available for both males and females.