General Requirements

Age Requirement

Graduate

Must be aged between 17 and 56 years inclusive on date of entry.

Graduate Medical Scheme

The maximum age for entry is such that an applicant must be able to complete their degree, any periods of residency and their Initial Minimum Period of Service obligation incurred under the Scheme prior to compulsory retirement age (normally 60 years of age).

Undergraduate

The maximum age for entry is such that an applicant must be able to complete their degree and their Return of Service Obligation incurred under the Scheme prior to compulsory retirement age (normally 60 years of age).

Graduate (Reserve)

Applicants must be aged between 17 and 61 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, however applicants who do not meet this criterion may be considered for a waiver of the citizenship requirement if they are a permanent resident in Australia.

ADF citizenship requirements will be met for applicants, if either of the following apply:

• You are an Australian citizen; or
• You are a permanent resident who can provide a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) receipt to prove you have applied for Australian citizenship.

Information to identify eligibility requirements and the application process for Australian citizenship is available here or contact DIAC on 131 880.

For applicants who do not meet the above criteria, the ADF may consider a waiver of the Citizenship requirements if you are a permanent resident who is not currently eligible to apply for Australian citizenship. Each case will be considered on its merits, but you must be prepared to sign an undertaking to apply for citizenship after completing at least 3 months service in the ADF or at least 6 months part-time service in the ADF Reserve. (Permanent residents become eligible to apply for citizenship on completion of 3 months service in the ADF or 6 months part-time service in the ADF Reserve).

Note: 6 months part-time service is equivalent to 130 days service for the purposes of determining eligibility to apply for citizenship.

A permanent resident who enters the ADF will have their service terminated if they subsequently:

• Fail to apply for citizenship when eligible to do so;
• Are not offered citizenship; or
• Fail to accept citizenship when it is offered.

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

Undergraduate, Graduate, Graduate (Reserve), Graduate Medical Scheme

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.