About the Job

The Regular Army component of the Australian Army Psychology Corps (AA Psych Corps), comprises approximately 65 uniformed officers (all of whom are psychologists).

Main Job Functions

As a Psychologist in the military, your understanding of human behaviour will be highly valued across a wide range of Defence contexts. You may utilise your skillset across a range of areas including mental health settings, recruitment and selection, training and human factors, organisational systems, and testing and measurement. Demand for Psychologists' skills continues to grow in Defence, for example with new initiatives in resilience and human performance offering opportunities for Psychologists to develop expertise.

As an Army Psychologist, you will be expected to draw on an ever-expanding body of scientific knowledge about how people think, act and feel and then apply that information to the area of military psychology.

Employment as a Psychologist in AA Psych Corps is varied and, as such, Psychologists come from a broad array of backgrounds and develop an adaptable and eclectic skills base. Whilst there is some tendency to 'stream' Psychologists in terms of their strengths and interests, breadth of experience is necessary for success at higher levels in the Corps.

You may deploy as part of a psychology team, providing support to deployed ADF members and assisting Commanders. This is to ensure the mental health of the Army is at a high level of functioning to achieve operational success. Army Psychologists provide a flexible and responsive psychology capability that can be deployed at short notice to anywhere in the world. These deployments are to provide psychological services across all military mission types from combat operations to peacekeeping missions to humanitarian missions and domestic operations that provide support to the civilian community.

Newly appointed officers are employed under the supervision of a senior and are gradually exposed to professional practice within the military. The tasks you may be initially involved in include selection interviewing, mental health screening, occupational assessment, psychological assessment and provision of mental health intervention in both garrison and operational environments to members of all three Services (Navy, Army and Air Force).

With further experience Army Psychologist duties may expand to include the enhancement of human performance at the individual and team levels, clinical assessment and intervention, personnel management advice, and the provision of support to deployed ADF contingents. There is also opportunity to provide highly specialised advice to build command decision support tools for Aviation, Intelligence, Special Forces and other niche capability areas of the ADF.

At senior levels, responsibilities broaden to include supervision and mentorship of junior Psychologists, providing advice to higher Command within the ADF, the conduct of group or individual officer selection boards, and health policy formulation and implementation.

A career as an Army Psychologist affords an outstanding opportunity for professional skills acquisition and development in a challenging, changing and stimulating military environment. As an officer you will be expected to be physically and mentally extended and rewarded in ways which are unrivalled by civilian employment within your chosen profession.


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

Army psychologists are positioned primarily throughout most capital cities and a junior psychologist could normally expect to start their career in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Townsville or Darwin. Psychologists are also located in many other military locations throughout Australia including Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga and the Darling Downs district in Queensland.

Some requirement may exist for short-term overseas duty, including the possibility of operational (combat related) service.


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

To be appointed as an Army Psychologist under the graduate pathway, you must hold current general registration as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). All applicants under this pathway will need to provide their AHPRA registration number during the application process.

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 enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 3 years.

Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.

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

Additional Requirements

Army psychologists are commissioned as officers in the service and, accordingly, are required to honour a code of conduct and behaviour and conditions of service that can be explained by recruiting staff. Essentially, service members are required to serve in locations as directed by the Service, (though preferences are noted), within a strict rank hierarchy and are bound by military law and customs.

Personal fitness must be maintained and fitness tests passed bi-annually. Whilst Army psychologists tend to work regular hours, long and unusual working hours may be demanded. As officers, administrative and leadership responsibilities will supplement the psychologist role.

A career as an Army psychologist affords an excellent opportunity for professional skills acquisition and development within a challenging and stimulating military environment. As an officer you will be physically and mentally extended and rewarded in ways which are unrivalled by civilian employment within your chosen profession.

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

The Specialist Service Officer (SSO) Course is conducted at the Royal Military College – Duntroon (RMC-D) and provides Regular and Reserve Force SSOs 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 SSO Course is conducted at the (RMC-D) and provides Regular and Reserve Force SSOs 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. 

Physical Fitness Levels

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

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. 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.

Employment Training

You will undertake the Regimental Officer Basic Course Psychology in the first 12 months of your appointment. The course is a six week residential course conducted at the Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC) in the Albury-Wodonga region.


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 Information

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

In addition to your salary you could receive a variety of allowances specific to your service - plus superannuation at a far higher rate than you're likely to find in the civilian world.

Your starting salary

When you first join the Army and while studying for your degree at the university of your choice, you will be paid:

With 2 years to graduation: $82,574.00 (PG2 inc 0)
In final year: $82,574.00 (PG2 inc 0)
Graduation: Army Psychology Officer – Captain – Pay Group 3 Increment 0 (approximately $100,579.00 per annum at the time of writing)

Your salary will continue to increase based on your rank and the number of years of service completed in that rank. Your pay grade may also increase following the acquisition of additional skills and completion of further training.

In addition to this package you will receive free medical and dental care, substantial housing and accommodation subsidies.

Refer to the Salary Scales for further details.

Locations

Army psychologists are positioned primarily throughout most capital cities and a junior psychologist could normally expect to start their career in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Townsville or Darwin. Psychologists are also located in many other military locations throughout Australia including Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga and the Darling Downs district in Queensland.

Some requirement may exist for short-term overseas duty, including the possibility of operational (combat related) service.


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

To be eligible to appoint as an Army Psychologist in the undergraduate pathway, Army sponsors 5th and 6th year studies as part of a Masters Professional Psychology or Masters Psych (Clinical/Org/Sport/Health).

The 4 + 2 pathway is no longer available for recruitment. The requirements are specified AHPRA within the Psychology registration standards - Provisional registration standard. Further information on provisional registration pathways can be found at the APHRA website.

Information on tertiary courses suitable for entry as a Psychologist can be found by accessing the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council website.

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

Undergraduates will be appointed for the period of their study plus a further period of service equalling the period of sponsored study plus one year (with a minimum of three years’ service after graduation).

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.

Additional Requirements

Army psychologists are commissioned as officers in the service and, accordingly, are required to honour a code of conduct and behaviour and conditions of service that can be explained by recruiting staff. Essentially, service members are required to serve in locations as directed by the Service, (though preferences are noted), within a strict rank hierarchy and are bound by military law and customs.

Personal fitness must be maintained and fitness tests passed bi-annually. Whilst Army psychologists tend to work regular hours, long and unusual working hours may be demanded. As officers, administrative and leadership responsibilities will supplement the psychologist role.

A career as an Army psychologist affords an excellent opportunity for professional skills acquisition and development within a challenging and stimulating military environment. As an officer you will be physically and mentally extended and rewarded in ways which are unrivalled by civilian employment within your chosen profession.

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

The Specialist Service Officer (SSO) Course is conducted at the Royal Military College – Duntroon (RMC-D) and provides Regular and Reserve Force SSOs 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 SSO Course is conducted at the (RMC-D) and provides Regular and Reserve Force SSOs 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.

Physical Fitness Levels

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

Employment Training

You will undertake the Regimental Officer Basic Course Psychology in the first 12 months of your appointment. The course is a six week residential course conducted at the Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC) in the Albury-Wodonga region.