About the Job

Intelligence Analyst (Geospatial) (Air Intelligence Analyst (AIA) - Geospatial Intelligence (Geospatial Intelligence Analyst)) personnel are employed to support Air Force aerial reconnaissance and strike capability and produce intelligence products from imagery and geospatial information, in support of a wide range of ADF operations. Intelligence Analysts (Geospatial) work in both Air Force and joint ADF environments as a major component of Defence's imagery exploitation capability, and contribute directly to the overall intelligence capability.

As an Intelligence Analyst (Geospatial), you will initially be required to correlate imagery with cartographic data, conduct analyses of imagery, produce imagery based reports, provide support to flying operations (both manned and unmanned), and manage imagery and map storage retrieval systems.

You will consolidate your skills in the exploitation of imagery from a variety of sensors, from both deployed and reach-back sites. As these skills develop, you will be required to perform increasingly complex analysis of imagery and geospatial material. Advances in digital imagery and geospatial products require you to have a high standard of computer skills; you will be taught the use of sophisticated Digital Imagery Work Stations and advanced software packages. Intelligence Analysts (Geospatial) will use these skills, and their broader research and analysis skills, to produce high quality graphic and textual reports concerning military, industrial and geographic features portrayed on imagery.

Intelligence Analysts (Geospatial) perform a variety of duties associated with the collection, analysis, and dissemination of geospatial information and imagery intelligence. Typically, these duties might involve any of the following:

Maintain imagery libraries

Work with aircrew and RAAF Intelligence Officers in reconnaissance and strike mission planning. This can include the presentation of briefs, preparation of visual aids for briefing purposes, and the generation of weaponeering solutions and targeting information

Maintenance of intelligence databases

Interpret and analyse all forms of imagery to produce geospatial and imagery-related reports

Produce tailored intelligence products in support of a broad range of ADF maritime, land and air operations

Management of intelligence materials and resources, and

Deploy, at short notice, to locations within Australia and overseas to support both ADF and Multi-National operations.

Employment conditions vary from non-deployed to deployed environments but typically, the majority of the Intelligence Analyst (Geospatial) duties are performed in air-conditioned offices or transportable cabins. Working in a 'windowless' environment is common. Teamwork is essential, and shift work and odd hours occur during major exercises or extended operations.

Personnel supporting flying operations may deploy to remote locations at short notice. All members of the AIA Mustering (Intelligence Analyst (Geospatial)) stream should expect temporary duties to any location for exercises, specialist training courses or to reinforce other units on deployment. AIA personnel work in highly sensitive security environments and are unable to discuss work matters outside of the work place. The applicant will undergo security vetting and psychological assessments that will be intrusive to them and their immediate family.



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Key Information

Preparing for Your Recruitment Process

This document provides information that will assist applicants for roles in the Navy, Army and Air Force, including details about the recruitment process, how to prepare yourself for assessment, and what to expect if you are successful in joining the Australian Defence Force.

Salary & Allowances

In the Air Force you'll get paid a good salary from day one regardless of your age, experience or qualifications; and your pay increases as you progress through training.

In addition to your salary you'll receive a variety of allowances, extra pay for relevant qualifications – plus 16.4% superannuation, a far higher rate than you're likely to find in the civilian world.


For more details download our Salary Scales.


Locations

Currently, the majority of Intelligence Analysts (Geospatial) are employed in Adelaide and Canberra. However, on graduation you may have the opportunity to be posted to:

  • No. 460SQN, Canberra ACT,
  • No. 87SQN Headquarters, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
  • No. 87SQN Tactical Intelligence Flights located at: RAAF Base Edinburgh SA RAAF Base Amberley, QLD,RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW RAAF Base Richmond, NSW RAAF Base Tindal NT.

In time, opportunities may also be available to post to:

  • Border Protection Command, Canberra ACT
  • Aeronautical Information Service, Melbourne VIC
  • HQ Air Command - Air and Space Operations Centre, Bungendore, NSW
  • HQ Joint Operations Command, Bungendore, NSW
  • Defence Intelligence Training Centre, Canungra, QLD (near the Gold Coast) (Instructor).

You may also be required to participate in exercises and deployments, including supporting allied forces and Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy operations, both in the Australia and overseas.


Requirements

Age

On the day you enter the Air Force you must be at least 17 years old and a maximum of 53 years old.

Applicants will not be allowed to enter the Air Force until they achieve a minimum of 17 years of age, however they may be able to initiate the application process from 16 years of age.

Education & Experience

Applicants are required to have successfully completed Year 10 of a Year 12 Board developed course (or state equivalent) with passes in English, Mathematics and Science (with a Physics component). Intermediate Mathematics is the minimum requirement.

Medical & Fitness

Naturally you'll have to be both mentally and physically fit to become a Intelligence Analyst (Geospatial).

At various stages during the application process you'll be assessed through (1) completion of a questionnaire relating to your medical history, (2) a physical examination, and (3) a Pre-entry Fitness Assessment (PFA).

Find out more about our medical and physical fitness standards here.

Here you can read about the medical examinations and screenings, what we're looking for and assessing, when in the application process it happens, and what you'll have to wear:

Medical Process for Entry into the ADF

Period of Service

When you embark on a career as an Intelligence Analyst (Geospatial) you'll be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of six years.

Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to Air Force needs and your suitability for further service. You may tender your resignation at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation and give a minimum of three months notice.

Additional Requirements

Licence Requirements:

At a minimum, candidates must hold a valid Australian State or Territory provisional/probationary C Class Drivers Licence upon enlistment/appointment. Candidates with suspended or cancelled licences will not be eligible to join until the suspension or cancellation has been lifted or has expired.

Aptitude

The Job Opportunities Assessment (JOA) is completed as part of the application process to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Some jobs may also require you to complete a further evaluation at a later date.

The JOA is used by Defence to establish suitability for ADF entry, and then identify jobs that best match your abilities.

Further information about the JOA can be found in the Guide to the Job Opportunities Assessment for the ADF.

To get a feel for the types of questions that are used in the Job Opportunities Assessment and how they will look on your screen some examples can be found in the Job Opportunities Assessment Example Questions.

Citizenship

To serve in the ADF you must be an Australian Citizen.

If you are a permanent resident of Australia, the ADF may consider a temporary deferral of the citizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who meets all the citizenship requirements, and then only in exceptional circumstances. You will be required to obtain Australian Citizenship as early as possible following enlistment or appointment.

Find out more in our Citizenship page or ask your local ADF Careers Centre.

Security Requirements

The Department of Defence requires ADF employees to have a security clearance appropriate to their employment.

A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and if required, interviews, enables the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability for a security clearance.

The minimum security clearance level required is Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1), and current policy requires applicants to have a checkable background for the previous 10 years.

This means applicants must provide credible referees (non-family members) who are able to provide information about the applicant covering an extended period of time. Required information for an NV1 includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Residence
  • Employment
  • Education
  • Financial information
  • Travel

Some ADF jobs may require a higher level of security clearance such as Negative Vetting Level 2 (NV2) or Positive Vetting (PV). Your individual circumstances will determine the number and complexity of the questions and the supporting documents required for these levels.

Australian Citizenship is a requirement for a security clearance and a clearance will only be granted to a non-citizen in exceptional circumstances.

The security clearance is critical to an applicant's successful progression through the recruiting process. It is strongly recommended that all applicants action the Security Clearance Package (ePack) and provide the required documentation without delay to provide the best opportunity to commence training and be employed in their preferred employment category.

For more detailed information on the security vetting process and specific clearance level requirements set by AGSVA, please refer to the AGSVA website.

Support will be provided by DFR during the initial application process.

Training

Military Training

Location: RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
Duration: 9 weeks

During this training you will transition from civilian to Service life, acquiring the basic knowledge, skills and physical fitness required for your role; and learning to become an effective and productive member of the Air Force.

Follow the link to learn more about what to expect at No. 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU)

Employment Training

Air Intelligence Analyst Initial Employment Training course
Duration: 10 weeks
Location: Air Intelligence Training Flight, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA

This course lays the foundations for a career in Air Force intelligence analysis. You will be given a theoretical grounding in the application of air power and how intelligence supports each operation, covering areas such as:

  • Air campaigns
  • Air missions
  • Air task orders and cycles
  • Aviation risk management
  • Airbase operations
  • Targeting
  • Briefing techniques
  • Report writing
  • Weaponeering
  • Equipment recognition
  • Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
  • Cyber and space operations

You will also be introduced to weapon systems relevant to air operations.

Imagery Intelligence Support to Operations Course
Duration: 19 weeks
Location: Defence Force School of Intelligence, Canungra, QLD

At the Defence Intelligence Training Centre in the Gold Coast Hinterland, you will be trained in the theory, analytical and practical skills required to perform a variety of tasks within the ADF intelligence community. The imagery training continuum comprises:

  • 1 week: Equipment Recognition Course building on the Initial Equipment Recognition on-line self-paced training conducted during the AIA IET course above. Includes a final assessment.

  • 9 weeks: Imagery Intelligence Foundation Course providing core theory and practical training in the collection, processing and dissemination of imagery intelligence.

  • 9 weeks: Imagery Intelligence Support to Operations course providing theory and practical training in geospatial and imagery intelligence analysis in support of operations.

Further Training

For promotion from the rank of Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman to Warrant Officer you will be afforded the opportunity to take a wide variety of specialist courses. Some courses may be provided through universities and other civilian institutions.