The majority of Army communications personnel receive their communications training at the Defence Force School of Signals (DFSS) at Macleod, VIC. You won't find technical and communication schools with a better teacher/student ratio or better equipment and facilities. DFSS is dedicated to giving you the best technical and communications qualification possible.

So you'll have a real edge in life and be assured of success in whatever employment category you choose. Unlike any other school of its kind, you will be paid while you learn and guaranteed a job when you graduate. And because you'll learn to be a soldier as well as a qualified technician person, you'll also develop a wide range of additional skills including self-discipline, confidence and a real sense of leadership.

Information Systems Technician (ECN 661) course (ARA)

Duration: 18 weeks (includes Combat Signaller training)

Course Description:

Training incorporates a wide variety of Information Technology (IT) subjects ranging from fundamentals of computing, fault finding hardware and software problems and network operating systems. Subjects include installation of applications, peripheral devices, operating a help desk, data communications and operation of a Field LAN detachment. On the successful completion of this course you will receive Pay Group 3. You will be posted to a major RA Sigs unit and through continuation training complete the post IET course during your first 12 months at your unit. A minimum of 12 months to consolidate your training is mandatory before you attend the Advanced Signaller Course, and on successful completion you will progress to Pay Group 4.

Location of Training:

This course is undertaken at the Defence Force School of Signals, Simpson Barracks Macleod, Victoria.

It should be noted that there might be periods of time between courses conducted at DFSS. Should this occur, soldiers will be provided with both meaningful employment and refresher training.

Combat Signaller (ECN 204) - 3 x 11 day modules

This course provides basic Royal Australian Corps of Signals skills in radio, line laying and computing and is a prerequisite for all RA Sigs trade courses. On the successful completion of module 1 you will be entitled to Pay Group 1 and Pay Group 2 on completion of all three.

Location of Training:

Your local Reserve Unit or at the Defence Force School of Signals, Simpson Barracks Macleod, Victoria.

Information Systems Technician (ECN 256) - 3 modules : 1 x 9 days, 2 x 16 days.

Course Description: Training incorporates a wide variety of Information Technology (IT) subjects ranging from fundamentals of computing, fault finding hardware and software problems and network operating systems. Subjects include installation of applications, peripheral devices, operating a help desk, data communications and operation of a Field LAN detachment. On the successful completion of this course you will receive Pay Group 3. After posting to your first unit and upon successful completion of the trade competency log (approximately 12 months) you will advance to Pay Group 4.

Location of Training:

Defence Force School of Signals, Simpson Barracks, Macleod, Victoria.