An applicant for appointment to RAANC must be registered in a State or Territory of Australia as a general nurse. Registered nurses can be certified, diploma or degree qualified but must have completed two years recent post graduate experience in the following areas:

• general medical/surgical;
• accident and emergency;
• high dependency;
• education; or
• perioperative.

Applicants with experience in geriatrics, paediatrics, maternal or infant care are required to undertake a period of twelve months employment in one of the former clinical areas.

Post-Registration Under the "Post-Registration Clinical Experience Scheme", degree qualified civilian Nurses may be considered for appointment during their two year post-registration clinical experience period. Individuals will be considered once they have completed their nursing degree and hold registration from the state registering authority in which they completed their degree.

Applicants must have completed or be about to complete one year of a three year Nursing Degree. The post graduation experience is to consist of one year of practical experience in a preceptor or undergraduate nurse program followed by one year of clinical experience in areas applicable to Army nursing, eg. Medical, Surgical, Emergency or Peri-operative.

To be eligible to join as a Specialist Service Nursing Officer applicants must be registered in a State or Territory of Australia as a general nurse. Registered nurses can be certified, diploma or degree qualified but must have completed two years recent post graduate experience in the following areas:

• general medical/surgical;
• accident and emergency;
• high dependency;
• education; or
• perioperative.

Applicants with experience in geriatrics, paediatrics, maternal or infant care are required to undertake a period of twelve months employment in one of the former clinical areas.