About the Job

As an Air Traffic Controller, you will join the Air Force through the Officer Aviation pathway. During your training at RAAF Base East Sale, you would have been selected for Air Traffic Controller based on your preference, performance during training and availability of positions.

As an Air Traffic Controller you will build your knowledge and skills delivering Air Base Air Traffic Services at one of the many military airfields and joint user airfields around Australia. Air Force Air Traffic Control Officers are responsible for all traffic, not just military traffic, at the airfields where military Air Traffic Control is provided (including Darwin, Townsville and Newcastle airports, which share a runway with the Air Force base).

Air Force Air Traffic Controllers do more than just control from a tower or in front of a radar screen at a military airfield. You may be called upon to control the airspace above a battlefield, whether that is over the land or the sea. This sees Air Traffic Controllers often working extensively with the Army and Navy, including controlling from Navy ships.



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

As an ATC you could be posted to any Australian Defence Force Base within Australia that has Air Base Air Traffic Services, which include:

New South Wales

RAAF Base Williamtown
RAAF Base Richmond
Naval Air Station Nowra

Northern Territory

RAAF Base Darwin
RAAF Base Tindal

Queensland

RAAF Base Townsville
RAAF Base Amberley
Army Aviation Centre Oakey

South Australia

RAAF Base Edinburgh

Victoria

RAAF Base East Sale

Western Australia

RAAF Base Pearce

With appropriate tactical training you may participate in operations overseas. If suitably qualified, you may also get involved with joint tactical exercises working closely with Army units and in maritime activities onboard Navy vessels.


Requirements

Age

You can start your application at sixteen and a half years but you must be at least seventeen years on the day you join the Air Force.

The maximum age that you can join is sixty years, minus the period of obligation.  For example, if your obligation is ten years, you can join at fifty years. 

Education & Experience

The requirements for acceptance into Initial Officer Training for an Officer Aviation are:

  • Completion of Year 12
  • Passes in English and three other academic subjects
  • The desired ATAR or equivalent for your chosen degree. As well as applying to the Air Force for entry, you must also apply to the University through the Universities Admissions Centre (NSW and ACT). The UAC website is: http://www.uac.edu.au

The completion of Year 12 university entry level mathematics (unmodified) and physics or multi-strand science is highly desirable.

This entry mode attracts a debt greater than the maximum rate of HECS due to the higher costs associated with ADFA studies ($25,000 per annum). In general terms, this debt accrues (increases) whilst undertaking study, with the maximum debt reached on completion of study. Once the period of study has ended, the debt begins to acquit (reduce) for the remainder of your Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS). Once the IMPS period is complete, there is no remaining debt.

Officer Aviation Candidates can choose to study any degree offered at ADFA by the UNSW except for four-year engineering degrees.

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

On appointment you will have an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of seven years associated with your three years of tertiary studies at ADFA. This IMPS is separate from any obligation to serve that is associated with Officer Aviation (OA) Initial Stream Employment Training (ISET). 

Your nine year Return of Service Obligation (ROSO) will not commence until you start Air Traffic Controller (ATC) course. This means that if you decide that Officer Aviation is not for you, or you are unsuccessful in your ISET prior to ATC course, you will not incur a ROSO.

IMPS and ROSO are served concurrently therefore if you incur a ROSO while still serving an IMPS associated with your ADFA degree, they will both count down together.

You may apply to separate from Defence provided you do not have any outstanding service obligation.

 

Additional Requirements

Physical Requirements

The weight and height limitations for Mission Aircrew and Mission Controller job types are the same as the general entry standards.

Speech

Good communication is critical in this job, so your speech must be clear and free from impediment.

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.

Detailed evaluation

All Australian Defence Force Officer Aviation (OA) roles require you to complete a detailed evaluation consisting mostly of examinations and interviews. After passing an initial test and interview at your local DFRC, you’ll move on to take part in the two-day Aviation Screening Program (ASP).

The ASP will take place at the East Sale Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Victoria. There you’ll join a group of about ten candidates who are all undergoing further screening for OA.

Over the two days you and your group will do a range of tests exclusive to OA candidates that assess your cognitive aptitude and potential to learn in the aviation training environment. You’ll experience firsthand the training, recreational and accommodation facilities at the RAAF Base. Plus, you’ll get to talk with students and instructors at the Air Academy (AirA) about the different roles and life in the Air Force.

You’ll even receive a flight suit, service patch and hat to wear while at the centre—giving you a taste of life in the Air Force.

At the end of the ASP, you’ll meet with a debriefing officer individually to receive your test results and discuss the Officer Aviation (OA) career options that are available to you: Aviation Warfare Officer, Mission Aircrew, Mission Controller or Pilot.

You’ll be able to take a copy of your report and progression options with you, to talk through with your family. If you’re successful, you’ll need to contact a Defence Force Recruiter to progress your application to Officer Selection Boards.

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: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT 

Academy Military Education and Training (AMET) is programmed at the beginning and end of each year and for six hours each week during academic sessions. There is significant emphasis on creating experience-based leadership opportunities in the training activities.
During AMET you'll undertake training in the following:

• Leadership 
• Drill and Ceremonial 
• Military Communication
• Equity and Diversity
• First Aid and Health
• Military Law
• Physical and Recreational Training
• Weapon Training

Follow the link for further details. 

You'll also have breaks in study to go on academic field trips, military tours, excursions, and adventure training exercises. 

Employment Training

Once you've graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy, you will commence your Initial Specialist Employment Training within the Air Academy (AirA). Regardless of whether you want to work in the air environment (Mission Aircrew) or the ground environment (Mission Controller) your first course at the Air Academy will be the 12-week Mission Elementary Course. The Air Mission Training School (AMTS) is responsible for conducting the Mission Elementary Course which has three modules, each about four weeks in duration:


   - Aviation Fundamentals Module. The aim of the Aviation Fundamentals Module is to give Mission Elementary Course trainees foundation knowledge that will allow them to undergo more specific aviation training which is applicable to further operational stream training. Some of the classes in this module are also taught on Pilot Basic Course, in which case all trainees will undertake the training together.

   - Control Module. The aim of the Control Module is to develop aviation communication, multi-dimensional thinking, time management and situational awareness while controlling aircraft. The successful completion of this module is a prerequisite for Air Battle Managers Basic Course. Both Air Warfare Simulators and Air Traffic Control Simulators are used in this module so you get better understanding of the Air Battle Manager (ABM) and Air Traffic Controller (ATC) streams as well as prepare you for further Mission Aircrew training.

   - Airborne Exposure Module. The aim of the Airborne Exposure Module is to give all OA trainees exposure to the airborne aviation environment and to assess their suitability for further Mission Aircrew Training. The Airborne Exposure Module is made up of supporting ground school, simulator events and sorties in the B350 King Air aircraft. Sorties are approximately three hours in duration and are conducted with two Mission Elementary Course trainees and one Aviation Instructor (plus pilots) on board. The aviation experience gained in these sorties will assist in further operational stream training for ABM, ATC and Mission Aircrew.


Follow-on Courses. At the end of Mission Elementary Course, trainees streamed to Air Traffic Control (Mission Controller) path will undertake training at the School of Air Traffic Control. Stream progression decisions take into account; preference, suitability, standing and operational stream demand. 

The aim of the 38-week ATC Basic Course is to produce controllers who have the knowledge, skills, attitude and experience to complete an operational conversion to a control tower at a military air base or a joint civil/military base. Aside from the basic course, the SATC also offers courses that allow ATCs to become approach controllers, supervisors and instructors.

Operational Conversions. The operational conversion (OPCON) is the last step in the ISET continuum.  Once you complete your OPCON you will be ready to contribute to the application of Air Power and the defence of Australia.

During Initial Stream Employment Training, members may be required to pay a contribution towards meals, accommodation and utilities.

Further Training

Air Traffic Controllers may elect to attend tactical courses to enable them to meet the operational requirements involved in tactical or exercise scenarios. This is known as the Battlefield Airspace Operations Course (BAOC), which provides an introduction to Air Traffic Controller operations. This course is designed to provide Air Traffic Controllers with the knowledge and training required to perform a variety of Battlefield Airspace Control services in combat environments.

Subsequent courses conducted at the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre will prepare Air Traffic Controllers (Mission Controller) to operate in the joint environment with Army and Navy. BAOC graduates may elect to pursue parachuting with the Army, amphibious operations with the Navy, or operations from a semi-established airfield to support aircraft and airfield operations.


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

The locations that you will serve as a Mission Controller will depend if you are streamed to Air Battle Manager (ABM) or Air Traffic Controller (ATC). As an ABM your likely first operational posting will be to:

New South Wales
3CRU, RAAF Base Williamtown
Northern Territory
114MCRU, RAAF Base Darwin
South Australia
1RSU, RAAF Base Edinburgh

As an ATC you could be posted to any Australian Defence Force Base within Australia that has Air Base Air Traffic Services, which include:

New South Wales
RAAF Base Williamtown
RAAF Base Richmond
Naval Air Station Nowra
Northern Territory
RAAF Base Darwin
RAAF Base Tindal 
Queensland
RAAF Base Townsville
RAAF Base Amberley
Army Aviation Centre Oakey
South Australia
RAAF Base Edinburgh
Victoria
RAAF Base East Sale
Western Australia
RAAF Base Pearce

With appropriate tactical training you may participate in operations overseas. If suitably qualified, you may also get involved with joint tactical exercises working closely with Army units and in maritime activities onboard Navy vessels.


Requirements

Age

You can start your application at sixteen and a half years but you must be at least seventeen years on the day you join the Air Force.

The maximum age that you can join is sixty years, minus the period of obligation. 

For example, if your obligation is nine years, you can join at around 49 years. Your starting age needs to provide you enough time to progress through the training continuum before the Return of Service Obligation is applied.

 

Education & Experience

Applicants must have completed Year 12 with passes in English and three other board accredited academic subjects.

Applicants who are currently studying Year 12 may apply, however progression through the application process will be contingent on reaching these levels.

The completion of Year 12 university entry level mathematics (unmodified) and physics or multi-strand science is highly desirable.

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 required to undertake officer training (17 weeks) and Mission Elementary course (12 weeks) before progressing to either Basic ATC course (38 weeks) or Air Battle Manager Basic Course (16 weeks).

You will incur a nine year Return of Service Obligation (ROSO) from the commencement of either Basic ATC course or Air Battle Manager Basic Course.

After your ROSO you may request discharge at any time provided you do not have nay additional Return of Service Obligations and you provide a minimum of three months' notice.

On appointment you may be able to serve until retirement age of 60 (or 65 for Reservists), subject to your continued suitability for service.

Your Careers Coach can advise on how ROSO will relate top your chosen occupation.

Additional Requirements

Physical Requirements

The weight and height limitations for Mission Aircrew and Mission Controller job types are the same as the general entry standards.

Speech

Good communication is critical in this job, so your speech must be clear and free from impediment.

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.

Detailed evaluation

All Australian Defence Force Officer Aviation (OA) roles require you to complete a detailed evaluation consisting mostly of examinations and interviews. After passing an initial test and interview at your local DFRC, you’ll move on to take part in the two-day Aviation Screening Program (ASP).

The ASP will take place at the East Sale Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base in Victoria. There you’ll join a group of about ten candidates who are all undergoing further screening for OA.

Over the two days you and your group will do a range of tests exclusive to OA candidates that assess your cognitive aptitude and potential to learn in the aviation training environment. You’ll experience firsthand the training, recreational and accommodation facilities at the RAAF Base. Plus, you’ll get to talk with students and instructors at the Air Academy (AirA) about the different roles and life in the Air Force.

You’ll even receive a flight suit, service patch and hat to wear while at the centre—giving you a taste of life in the Air Force.

At the end of the ASP, you’ll meet with a debriefing officer individually to receive your test results and discuss the Officer Aviation (OA) career options that are available to you: Aviation Warfare Officer, Mission Aircrew, Mission Controller or Pilot.

You’ll be able to take a copy of your report and progression options with you, to talk through with your family. If you’re successful, you’ll need to contact a Defence Force Recruiter to progress your application to Officer Selection Boards.

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: Officers' Training School (OTS), RAAF Base East Sale, VIC
Duration: 17 weeks 


Phase 1: Military Introduction. During this phase training you will be introduced to life in the military. The themes of values based behaviour, self-leadership, team membership and followership are explored through collaborative problem solving, self-mastery and resilience building activities. Weapons qualification and martial skills are included in this phase.

Phase 2: Education. During this phase of training you will be introduced to leading military teams, effectively managing a workplace and applying critical thinking skills.  The themes of moral courage, moral judgement and social mastery are explored through scenario-based experiential learning opportunities and facilitated decision making. Air and space power immersion in the joint environment is included in this phase.

Phase 3: Application. During this phase of training you will consolidate what you’ve learned so far you will apply those skills in practical leadership exercises in a simulated combat environment. The themes of values-based behaviour and the development Officer Qualities are explored through the application of transformational leadership. 

You will be challenged early, well supported and physically prepared. Outside of the classroom you will participate in physical training, adventure training and visit other Air Force bases to contextualise what you have learnt. Upon graduation, you will undertake specialist employment training or proceed direct to you workplace.


Follow the link for further details. 
 

Employment Training

Once you've graduated from Officers' Training School, you will commence your Initial Specialist Employment Training within the Air Academy (AirA). Regardless of whether you want to work in the air environment (Mission Aircrew) or the ground environment (Mission Controller) your first course at the Air Academy will be the 12-week Mission Elementary Course. The Air Mission Training School (AMTS) is responsible for conducting the Mission Elementary Course which has three modules, each about four weeks in duration:


   - Aviation Fundamentals Module. The aim of the Aviation Fundamentals Module is to give Mission Elementary Course trainees foundation knowledge that will allow them to undergo more specific aviation training which is applicable to further operational stream training. Some of the classes in this module are also taught on Pilot Basic Course.

   - Control Module. The aim of the Control Module is to develop aviation communication, multi-dimensional thinking, time management and situational awareness while controlling aircraft. The successful completion of this module is a prerequisite for Air Battle Managers Basic Course. Both Air Warfare Simulators and Air Traffic Control Simulators are used in this module so you get better understanding of the Air Battle Manager (ABM) and Air Traffic Controller (ATC) streams as well as prepare you for further Mission Aircrew training.

   - Airborne Exposure Module. The aim of the Airborne Exposure Module is to give all OA trainees exposure to the airborne aviation environment and to assess their suitability for further Mission Aircrew Training. The Airborne Exposure Module is made up of supporting ground school, simulator events and sorties in the B350 King Air aircraft. Sorties are approximately 3 hours in duration and are conducted with two Mission Elementary Course trainees and one Aviation Instructor (plus pilots) on board. The aviation experience gained in these sorties will assist in further operational stream training for ABM, ATC and Mission Aircrew.


Follow-on Courses. At the end of Mission Elementary Course, trainees streamed to the Mission Controller path will undertake training at the School of Air Traffic Control. Stream progression decisions take into account; preference, suitability, standing and operational stream demand. The aim of the 38-week ATC Basic Course is to produce controllers who have the knowledge, skills, attitude and experience to complete an operational conversion to a control tower at a military air base or a joint civil/military base. Aside from the basic course, the SATC also offers courses that allow ATCs to become approach controllers, supervisors and instructors.

Operational Conversions. The operational conversion (OPCON) is the last step in the ISET continuum.  Once you complete your OPCON you will be ready to contribute to the application of Air Power and the defence of Australia.

During Initial Stream Employment Training, members may be required to pay a contribution towards meals, accommodation and utilities.

Further Training

Air Traffic Controllers may elect to attend tactical courses to enable them to meet the operational requirements involved in tactical or exercise scenarios. This is known as the Battlefield Airspace Operations Course (BAOC), which provides an introduction to Air Traffic Controller operations. This course is designed to provide Air Traffic Controllers with the knowledge and training required to perform a variety of Battlefield Airspace Control services in combat environments.

Subsequent courses conducted at the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre will prepare Air Traffic Controllers (Mission Controller) to operate in the joint environment with Army and Navy. BAOC graduates may elect to pursue parachuting with the Army, amphibious operations with the Navy, or operations from a semi-established airfield to support aircraft and airfield operations.