About the Job

Army Human Resources Administrators (also known as Administration Assistants) are like no other administrative function in the nation. This isn't your average office job - it's better. In an exciting twist, you'll have the opportunity to travel Australia and the world, working in a range of environments. You'll also get to work on Navy and Air Force operations when needed.

As a Human Resources Administrator you'll be a member of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC) and will play a pivotal role in the management and well-being of personnel in each Army unit. If there's an issue, you'll be the first point of contact for it.

What you’ll do:
  • Pay and Personnel Administration – Provide administrative support directly to military personnel, or pay and personnel administrative support for personnel.
  • Resource and Financial Management – Conduct financial resource management within a unit, encompassing a diverse range of clerical, administrative, resource and financial management duties.
  • Staff Clerk – Undertake a range of administrative and clerical support functions within a headquarters structure, such as assisting staff officers with planning, contributing to appreciations, developing orders, coordinating tasks and operational support requirements (including financial management and training area support).
  • Data Analysis – Review data to discover useful information, inform conclusions and support decision-making.
Training and Progression

You don't need any prior administrative experience to join. You'll learn everything you need to know through your Initial Employment Training (IET). Upon completion, you’ll have developed your skills to be able to:

  • Interpret policy, legislation and regulations to provide clerical and financial resource management advice
  • Understand and provide advice on military pay, personal allowances and unit/personal claims
  • Analyse large data sets and extract insights
  • Use in-service information systems to support peers and commanders
  • Maintain records, files and registers
  • Prepare operational documents for signature and release
  • Maintain operational maps, logbooks, messages and information
  • Operate the in-service HF/VHF Radio and Battlefield Management Systems
  • Undertake general soldiering duties, such as manning defensive positions, patrolling, navigation, traffic control, and camouflaging vehicles and field equipment

Unlike most other office jobs, you'll also take part in physical training, soldiering and exercises, and gain free access to the gym onsite. Your environment may change regularly, but your responsibilities will be consistent—always working towards the goal of helping the Army run efficiently.

If you're keen for an organisational challenge that you can't do anywhere else, this could be the career for you.

In-Service Information
This role is known as Command Support Clerk within the Army.
Employment Category Number (ECN): 150
Employment Category: Combat Support

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

Human Resources Administrators are posted to Army, Tri-Service and Special Operations units domestically and internationally. Employed within most Army units across Australia, primary locations include Brisbane, Darwin, Townsville and Adelaide. There may be opportunities to post to other locations based on service need, career development needs and individual preferences. At higher ranks, Human Resources Administrators also have more overseas posting opportunities than most other Army trades.


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

Completion of Australian Year 10 education (or equivalent) with passes in English and Mathematics.

If you have not achieved the appropriate passes for this role, an education assessment can be conducted to determine your eligibility. Employment history and other qualifications will be considered. Speak to your ADF Careers Centre representative to discuss options.

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 two 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 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

As a General Entry recruit, you’ll be required to complete the Recruit Course.

Army Recruit Course
Duration: Approximately 12 weeks.
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW.

During training, you will take part in physical training, weapon handling and shooting, first aid, drill and field craft. You'll be challenged both mentally and physically.

Although it can be demanding, most recruits gain a sense of achievement, purpose and confidence during basic training, and on completion of the course feel justifiably proud of what they have achieved. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.

For more information, visit Soldier Training at Kapooka.

Employment Training

Human Resources Administrator Course
Location: Bandiana, VIC.
Total Duration: Approximate 2 months, not including weekends.
Note: Course duration may vary depending on public holidays and other Army requirements.