Entry

Qualified

Qualified Entry is only available to applicants who hold a Certificate III in any type of metal fabrication or welding trade prior to entry. Currently, there is no entry option available to persons applying for the Metalsmith trade who do not hold a Certificate III in metal fabrication or welding.

Candidates applying for Metalsmith must present their trade qualifications during the recruiting process for certification prior to enlistment. The Employment Category Manager at the Army Logistic Training Centre will review the trade qualifications presented. This certification will ensure applicants possess appropriate qualifications and will identify any Army specific competencies applicants are required to complete after the Recruit Course.

Regardless of civilian qualifications held, all candidates are required to complete Military specific Units of Competency at the Army Logistic Training Centre as part of their initial employment training.

Because you'll learn to be a soldier as well as a qualified trades person, you'll also develop and improve your personal attributes including self-discipline, fitness, self-confidence and leadership skills.

Promotion is awarded on merit and successful completion of trade and promotion courses. The career path within RAEME is:

• Craftsman;
• Lance Corporal;
• Corporal;
• Sergeant;
• Warrant Officer Class Two; and
• Warrant Officer Class One.

Other Ranks (Technical) (Reserve)

Most Army Reserve trade personnel apart from those enlisted into the Army Reserve Traineeship and Apprenticeship Program (ARTAP) are qualified trades persons prior to enlistment in the Army Reserve.

In addition to being a qualified technician or trades person, you will learn to be a soldier. You'll also develop and improve your personal attributes including self-discipline, fitness, self-confidence and leadership skills.

Promotion is awarded on merit and successful completion of promotion courses. The career path within the technician or trades person continuum is:

• Craftsman;
• Lance Corporal;
• Corporal;
• Sergeant;
• Warrant Officer Class Two; and
• Warrant Officer Class One.

Active Reserve members are required to complete a minimum of 20 days training per financial year to be considered effective. This service can be any combination of a two-week exercise, weekends or training nights.

Further information on part-time ADF careers can be found by accessing the Defence Reserves Support Council website.

The Council promotes the benefits of Reserve service by establishing partnerships with the community and employers.

Army Reserve Traineeship & Apprenticeship Program

If you are interested in gaining a trade qualification on a full-time basis with a Group Training Organisation (GTO) or a civilian employer and learning and practicing your trade on the job with the Army as a Reservist, then consider a unique scheme that is now available in most states of Australia.

The scheme is called the Army Reserve Traineeship & Apprenticeship Program (ARTAP). The way ARTAP works is that you agree to join and remain in the Army Reserve for the period of your civilian training. At the same time, you are employed by a GTO or a civilian employer, with whom the Army has an established partnership arrangement, undertaking your full-time civilian training through a local Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

The process you would go through begins with an assessment by Army for your enlistment and suitability in one or more trade areas. During this stage you are put in contact with the local partnered GTO or civilian employer, who will also assess you as to your suitability as a full-time civilian trainee employed by them.

Your training then begins with Recruit Training at the Army Recruit Training Centre (ARTC) near Wagga Wagga in New South Wales. ARTC is the home of recruit training and is where all soldiers, regular or reserve, commence their career in the Army. During the course, you'll receive expert training from some of the Army's best instructors. No one is saying this training will be easy, but when you complete it, you'll be proud of what you've accomplished.

So, what sort of training will you be doing during Recruit Training? You'll be trained in all the skills a soldier needs. In other words, you'll learn how to work effectively and efficiently as a member of the Australian Army.

You need to be fit to join the Army Reserve. Prior to your enlistment, you must pass a fitness assessment called the Pre-Entry Fitness Assessment (PFA). This is a combination of push-ups, sit ups and a "shuttle run".

During Recruit Training you will be required to participate in additional fitness tests. The major one is the Basic Fitness Assessment (BFA). The BFA is the minimum physical fitness standard required for all members of the Army, both regular and reserve. It is also one of the major components of the Army Individual Readiness Notice (AIRN). The BFA is harder than the PFA, as you are required to perform additional push-ups, sit ups and a 2.4 km run.

The recruit course comprises 28 days of continuous training.

After recruit training, you'll walk away with around $2,104 tax free, regardless of any other income or benefits you may be receiving.

On successful completion of your recruit training you will undertake a week of induction training in your parent unit. By this stage, you will be ready to commence your civilian training with the GTO or civilian employer. The GTO or your civilian employer pays you the standard award wages and other entitlements  depending on the trade qualification you are completing. The GTO or civilian employer is responsible for your civilian training and will arrange your technical training at a local Registered Training Organization. Your parent Army unit will also employ you for weeks or months at a time in your trade where you will learn and work on Army equipment while being paid tax free as a Reservist. If required, make-up pay will be made by the GTO or your civilian employer to ensure that you receive at least the standard trainee award wages. You will also join your parent unit for standard Army Reserve training throughout the year.

Further information on the ARTAP scheme can be found by accessing the ARTAP website.

Additional information on part-time ADF careers can be found by accessing the Defence Reserves Support Council website.

The Council promotes the benefits of Reserve service by establishing partnerships with the community and employers.