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The Navy, Army and Air Force need highly trained technicians and tradespeople to ensure that every piece of equipment, from ships, jets and tanks, through to missile systems and telecommunications networks, are maintained in peak condition. We will train you to be these people.
Our trade schools are second to none. You'll work with top shelf facilities and get the best trade qualifications possible, that are nationally recognised and highly sought after in the civilian world. You'll earn a great wage while you train – with subsidised meals and accommodation – plus have a guaranteed job when you've finished. You won't just be working towards a trade career in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), you'll be learning skills that will set you up for life.
Every recruit who enters the ADF undertakes basic recruit training. You will learn core military knowledge and applications, like how to safely handle weapons, look after machinery and combat potentially dangerous situations. You will also be schooled in the broader life lessons of teamwork, communication and how to live with other people. It's a challenging course but incredibly rewarding and you will feel a great sense of achievement when you graduate.
In the Navy, Basic Training lasts 11 weeks and takes place at HMAS Cerberus, a Navy base at Westernport in Victoria.
In the Army, Basic Training lasts around 11 weeks and takes place at the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka, near Wagga Wagga in NSW.
In the Air Force, Basic Training lasts 10 weeks and 2 days, and takes place at Number 1 Recruit Training Centre at RAAF Base Wagga, in NSW.
After basic recruit training, you undertake specialist training in your chosen field. See the jobs in the Trades & Apprenticeships pages under the Navy, Army and Air Force sections for further information.
Throughout your career with us you'll be given lots of opportunities to undertake further training. This can be in your chosen trade or in a completely new area. We may also help you financially with additional civilian schooling while you are serving in the ADF, which will help you in the future if you decide to re-enter the civilian workforce.
During basic recruit training, you'll receive $32,799 per year, which will increase to $37,485 per year once you begin your technical training. After 12 months training your salary will further increase to $42,170 per year. When you have successfully qualified, you will earn a salary package of over $70,000 per year, well above the average civilian starting salary. This amount will continue to increase based on your rank and years of service.
There are also a range of food and accommodation subsidies, as well as allowances for things like uniforms, that contribute further to your earnings. Navy personnel will also receive a $11,758 per year Seagoing Allowance when they are posted to a sea-going vessel.
For further details of pay, training and qualifications refer to the individual job descriptions under the Trade & Apprenticeships pages under the Navy, Army and Air Force sections.
You receive the same fantastic benefits as all of our ADF members like full medical and dental cover, funded superannuation contributions and generous leave entitlements. For full descriptions of these please refer to the Pay & Benefits pages of the Navy, Army and Air Force sections.
Your initial minimum period of enlistment is six years (four years if already qualified or enlisting as a Marine Technician), but there are options to leave during basic training if you decide the ADF is not for you. An ADF recruiter can advise you of these details.
You can leave the ADF on completion of your Initial Minimum Period of Service. This usually works out to be the length of your sponsored training, plus one year. An ADF recruiter can advise you of these details as they apply to you.
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