About the Job

The Australian Army employs qualified male and female teachers as Education Officers in Army training establishments. A career as an Army Education Officer offers variety and challenges in employment and travel not always available in the normal environment. You will gain experience and skills that will equip you for advancement in the Army, and which will also be in high demand in your profession.

On appointment as an Education Officer, you will be commissioned into the rank of Lieutenant and be posted to an Army training establishment. You can expect to remain in your posting for one to three years.

Main Job Functions

The Royal Australian Army Education Corps (RAAEC) is a widely dispersed Corps, so what you do depends on where you go, which ultimately depends on what qualifications and experience you have.

Headquarters Forces Command - Army, Sydney:
  • Developing educational, training development and training systems policies
  • Developing strategies for the implementation of these policies
  • Commenting on Defence policies and strategies
  • Managing the Training Command training systems capability
  • Analysing Army training and educational proposals
  • Administering Army's Civil Accreditation Program
  • Providing technical direction and career management advice for RAAEC personnel
  • Providing training systems support to all Training Command schools
Army Learning Production Centre:
  • Producing Army's technology-based-training and distance education and training
  • The Army Learning Production Centre has wings and detachments in Sydney, Brisbane and Albury/Wodonga
Staff Cadet training, Royal Military College, Canberra:
  • Educating Staff Cadets to the standard required in communications skills
  • Developing training
Defence International Training Centre, Laverton, VIC:
  • Conducting Australian familiarisation and English training for foreign students
  • Instructing in English as a Second/Foreign language
  • Conducting cross-cultural awareness training
  • Developing training
Individual Training Centres, various locations:
  • Conducting numeracy and literacy courses largely through Distance Education
  • Supporting trade and continuation training, training development and evaluation
Regional Education Officers, all capital cities and some major regional centres:
  • Counselling personnel on educational matters and resettlement
  • Administration of study schemes
Various RAAEC appointments:
  • Army Recruiting training
  • Army doctrine editing, research and evaluation
Overseas Postings:

The RAAEC provides highly trained ESL/EFL specialists with a training development background as Language and training advisers to assist several countries in the region in the provision of English language training.

Other Duties:

Like all other Army officers, you will have extra- regimental duties as well as professional duties. For instance, unit Education/Resettlement Officer, Mess or Regimental Funds Committees, Regimental Audit Board, Sports Officer, Spot-checking/Stocktaking Officer and Duty Officer.


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 Army 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

Education Officers are employed at most major base locations around Australia, as well as Training Establishments in regional areas.


Requirements

Age

Applicants must be at least 17 years of age and able to complete the Initial Minimum Period of Service before reaching Compulsory Retirement Age (60).

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

Education & Experience

Applicants must have successfully undertaken pre-service or initial teacher education (ITE) programs. Initial teacher education programs include:

  • Four-year undergraduate degrees, for example a Bachelor of Education.
  • Dual or combined degree programs, where two degrees including an education degree, are completed at the same time, for example a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education.
  • Postgraduate degrees, for example a Graduate Diploma of Education pre-2015, Master of Teaching, or Master of Education for people who have already completed an academic degree in a non-education area such as a Bachelor of Science

It is highly desirable that applicants are eligible for full registration as a teacher in a State or Territory of Australia. To be eligible for full registration, teachers must hold provisional registration, have completed 200 days of teaching experience in a school or 'another acceptable setting' and meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at the Proficient career stage.

‘Recency of practice’ is also desirable. Applicants who have not practiced as either a full time or part time teacher within a five-year period of registration, may be required to submit additional proof of currency to ensure that their knowledge, skills and practice are up to date. Army may consider teaching and curriculum design experience other than that listed above on a case-by-case basis.

Medical & Fitness

To be enlisted or appointed, you must be medically and physically fit for entry to your chosen occupation. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.

You will also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment before appointment.

For further details on medical and physical fitness standards refer to Physical Fitness Standards for Entry into the ADF and Medical Process for Entry into the ADF.

Period of Service

You will be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of three years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may tender your resignation at any time provided you do not have an outstanding Initial Minimum Period of Service obligation.

Your Careers Coach can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation.

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

Specialist Service Officer First Appointment Course (Parts 1 + 2) 
Location: Royal Military College – Duntroon, Canberra, ACT. 
Duration: 25 days 

You will learn fundamental knowledge of leadership, command and control, unit and personnel administration, basic military skills and the ideals of officer behaviour and attitudes necessary for future employment.

The Specialist Service Officer Course is conducted at the Royal Military College - Duntroon and provides Regular and Reserve Force Specialist Service Officers with fundamental knowledge of leadership, command and control, unit and personnel administration, basic military skills and the ideals of officer behaviour and attitudes necessary for future employment.

The ARA course is 42 days of training and currently conducted in the first half of the training year. The ARES course is conducted in the latter half of the year and consists of three modules. Module One is 9 days, Module Two is 16 days and Module Three is 16 days. Depending on your tiering you may only be require to complete one, two or all three modules before being deemed competent for employment as an SSO.

During RMC (Military Training) members may be required to pay a contribution towards meals, accommodation and utilities.

Physical Fitness Levels

All trainees attending training at RMC are required to participate in an Initial Fitness Assessment (IFA) on arrival at RMC.

Ares SSOs must complete IFA for both modules. This is an entry level requirement for all courses conducted at RMC. The IFA is based on a shuttle run, push ups and sit ups and is designed to determine whether trainees are at the minimum required standard to complete training at RMC. Due to the unique nature of training at RMC, trainees who do not demonstrate the base line levels of the assessment may be withdrawn from training and RTU. If you do not pass the IFA, you will be medically reviewed by the RMC Doctor and you will be advised if you are able to continue with training.

For further details on physical fitness standards refer to Physical Fitness Standards for Entry into the ADF.

Further Training

Education Officers can further their professional qualifications with the assistance of Army sponsorship schemes.

A three week Regimental Officer Basic Course (ROBC) at Simpson Barraks, Melbourne will follow SSO initial military training. ROBC is only run at certain times per year and may not align with initial military training.