The Gap Year challenge

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) Gap Year program provides an opportunity for young Australians, who have finished year 12 (or equivalent) within the previous two years, to experience continuous military training and lifestyle before going on to study or a selected career. It provides a once in a lifetime 'one year work experience' program in the Navy or Army rather than a 'career' for life. The Air Force Gap Year program is currently not available.

The life skills and job training that you will acquire during your Gap Year experience will be valuable regardless of what career you ultimately undertake.

You'll earn more than $40,000 per year and there's no requirement to commit beyond the 12 Months.

Am I guaranteed a GAP Year placement?

No. There is a selection process for Gap Year and a limited number of placements are available each year. Due to the popularity of Gap Year, applicants will be required to complete a full application online. During this application we will ask you a range of questions to help us to assess your suitability for available Gap Year roles. Navy candidates will be trained as Sailors (General Entry), however, you may be considered for Officer and General Entry roles if appointed or enlisted to a permanent position. Army will be considered for General Entry roles only.

If selected, you will be contacted to arrange an interview and to commence the more detailed recruitment process. If you are not selected you may apply for another ADF role, noting that Gap Year is highly competitive and non-selection generally reflects the limited availability of positions.

Those selected will go through the normal Defence recruitment process; details of this are at the recruitment centre.

After the recruitment process is complete and you have been successful in your application, you will be provided with a letter of offer for an allocated placement based on your preferred job and the needs of the service. If you accept this offer, you can proceed to enlistment.

What do I learn?

During basic training you'll be introduced to a variety of military equipment, learn general service skills, eat the same food and use the same recreational facilities as our regular ADF members. You'll have access to new and emerging technologies and learn how to become self-reliant.

Make new friends

This program is a good way to meet new people from all over the country. Some you'll have lots in common with and others will have completely different life experiences to you. So you'll be training and socialising with people who can teach you new things that might help you make decisions about your future.

What happens at the end of my ADF Gap Year?

At any time during your Gap Year, you are able to apply for a transfer to an ongoing form of service. The success and timeline of your application to transfer will be subject to available vacancies and training opportunities, and the normal selection processes specific to the job and Service for which you apply. There is no guarantee of ongoing employment beyond 12 months.

If at the completion of your Gap Year you decide not to continue or you are unsuccessful in your application for an ongoing form of service, your employment will be terminated using current Service termination processes.

If you decide you wish to continue in the ADF there are many options available including tertiary level study at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). Alternatively, you may wish to consider the Reserves.

What if it's not for me?

If you are completing your Gap Year with the Navy, you can resign at any time if you decide it's not for you. In the Army, you can resign during basic training in the initial recruit training phase, which is within the first 80 days. After this period, you will be required to serve your full 12 Months. You can request early release upon the receipt of acceptance to further study courses (i.e. if you apply for entry into University in the next year and have not completed your Gap Year, you will be released for entry).

When would I start?

The Gap Year program starts at different times depending on the Service and job. Navy has monthly enlistments from January to November and accepts a moderate number of candidates in each intake. Army has a small intake in December; however, the majority of participants will be placed in January to March.