About the Job

Army General Service Officers are allocated to specific roles shortly before graduation from the Royal Military College - Duntroon. The allocation of roles is based on performance during training.

Armoured Officers (Armoured Corps Officer, Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC)) are a combat arm with a range of capabilities that can be employed by the Army. Armoured Officer units are able to participate in a range of operations including direct attack, reconnaissance and armoured mobility to infantry. Units of the Armoured Officers are equipped with the Abrams Main Battle tank (MBT) family of vehicles or the Australian Light Armoured vehicle (ASLAV), M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and Bushmaster (PMV) family of vehicles.

Officers who graduate to be an Armoured Officer undertake six months Corps focused training at the School of Armour, Puckapunyal which includes learning to operate armoured vehicles. On completion of this training Armoured Officers are most likely posted to troop command positions across the various units of the Corps.

A typical Armoured Officer demonstrates a high standard of leadership and command ability, develops a thorough knowledge of tactics, and ability to quickly analyse complex and changing situations.

An Armoured Officer requires its officers to command and lead soldiers who operate high-tech weapon systems with skill and speed. Officers are skilled at conducting independent operations for protracted periods in remote areas and under harsh conditions. Armoured Officers must be able to work closely with soldiers as part of an armoured fighting vehicle crew which presents unique challenges.


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.

National Qualifications

Aspects of your training may result in the award of civil qualifications - something you can check with your Instructional Staff when you conduct your Initial Employment Training.

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

Armoured Officers have a strength of about 250 officers and 1000 other ranks and is organised into the following Australian Regular Army (ARA) and Army Reserve (ARes) units:

ARA
  • 1st Armoured Regiment. A Tank Regiment located in Darwin, NT. Equipped with Abrams tanks and M113 family of vehicles
  • 2nd Cavalry Regiment. A Cavalry Regiment currently located in Darwin, NT. Equipped with ASLAV
  • 2/14 Light Horse Regiment (QMI). A Cavalry Regiment located at Enoggera, QLD. Equipped with ASLAV and
  • B Squadron 3/4 Cavalry Regiment. An independent APC Squadron located at Townsville, QLD. Equipped with PMV Bushmaster.
ARes Units
  • 4/19 Prince of Wales Light Horse (PWLH). A Light Cavalry Regiment located at Watsonia, Sale VIC, Albury NSW. Equipped with IIMV and LCPV
  • 1/15 Royal New South Wales Lancers (RNSWL). A Light Cavalry Regiment located at Parramatta and Goulburn, NSW. Equipped with IIMV and LCPV
  • 12/16 Hunter River Lancers (HRL). An Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment located at Tamworth, Armidale and Muswellbrook, NSW. Equipped with IMV Bushmaster
  • 3/9 Light Horse, South Australian Mounted Rifles (SAMR). An Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron located at Elizabeth , SA. Equipped with IIMV and LCPV and
  • A Squadron 10 Light Horse Regiment (10 LH). A Reconnaissance Squadron located at Karrakatta, WA. Equipped with IIMV and LCPV.

ARes Officers also have the opportunity to serve in staff and instructional postings throughout Australia and overseas.


Requirements

Age

Must be aged between 17 and 53 years inclusive on date of entry.

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

You must pass four tertiary accredited subjects at Year 12 level including English (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank standard). Or you may be in your final year and expect to reach these levels. (South Australian officer applicants may achieve a pass at Year 11 English and a pass in a language rich subject at Year 12 and three other subjects).

A tertiary qualification is not required to be an effective junior officer, however officers without degrees will be encouraged to complete a degree later in their career.

Note: If you already have a degree, please provide copies of your transcripts as well as Year 12.

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.

Combat positions. Applicants require a higher level of strength and aerobic fitness than non-combat employment categories. Applicants will be expected to pass the relevant Combat Arms Physical Employment Standards before the end of their initial employment training. The Army provides training and support to meet these standards.

Period of Service

You will be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of six years. On completion of your IMPS you may continue to serve under an open-ended engagement until you decide to resign which requires three months prior notification.

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

Additional Requirements

In addition to being able to pass the Army swim test, applicants must be capable of passing the Armoured Officers swim test which involves duck diving twice through at least two underwater obstacles two metres apart at a depth of not less than 2.5 metres and not more than 3.5 metres measured from the bottom of the obstacle. Applicants are to swim 30 metres in fresh water, or 50 metres in salt water and without leaving the water, remain afloat out of depth for three minutes.

Applicants need to be able to withstand being confined in restricted spaces for extended periods of time and to have the capacity to hold a drivers licence.

Note: Applicants who hold a drivers licence are not to have any restrictions pending or imposed by Civil Courts on their current licence.

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 security clearances appropriate to their employment.

A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and, as required, interviews, enables the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency 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, and current policy requires applicants to have a checkable background for the previous 10 years. Required information includes: - Residence

  • Employment
  • Education
  • Credit

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

NOTE: The security clearance is critical to an applicant's successful progression through the Army training system. If an applicant is unable to obtain the required security clearance in time, they will not be allowed to continue their training and may need to be re-allocated to another employment category. As such, it is strongly recommended that all applicants obtain the required documentation as soon as possible to provide the best opportunity to be employed in their preferred employment category.

Training

Military Training

Duration of course: 12 months

RMC is trialling a reduced 12-month course that achieves the same learning outcomes as the former 18-month course. The curriculum is made up of three terms approximately four months in duration.

Cadets are organised as a Battalion known as the Corps of Staff Cadets and undergo a training program including:

  • Army Initial Foundation Training –You will form a baseline for your service in the Army.
  • Army Small Team Leadership – You will learn the fundamentals of applied military leadership. Focusing on developing your leadership through knowledge and practical application.
  • Foundation Leadership – You will prepare for the first appointment through exposure to military leadership and applied leadership.
  • Foundation Warfighting – You will develop knowledge of foundation warfighting in the contemporary operating environment through platoon-level tactical actions.
  • Foundation Military Planning – You will be exposed to critical thinking and planning in an operational context, and provided a command experience in a ‘simulated’ environment.
  • Foundation Command – you will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to support training and administrative processes in a unit environment using your ethical framework.

After graduation you will be assigned to one of the Army's specialised branches, known as Corps. Then you can put into professional practice all that you've learned. Initially you will be required to complete in-service Corps training and familiarisation. Then you may find yourself taking troops through field exercises, physical training drills, tactical assaults or managing any number of vital Army functions.

Graduates are commissioned as Lieutenants.

During RMC (Military Training) and (Initial) Employment Training (Regimental or Logistics Officers Basic Course etc), you will be required to pay a contribution towards your meals, accommodation and utilities.

Employment Training

RAAC Regimental Officer Basic Course (ROBC): 26 Weeks (approx)

After the ROBC, Officers are employed in one of the regiments of the Corps usually in a leadership command position. Future employment can vary from further command position to staff appointment within the Corps and other positions across the Army.

Further Training

Exchange appointments exist with the US Armour Centre at Fort Knox and with the UK Land Forces in the UK and Europe. Other opportunities for serving with US, UK and NZ forces also exist as part of individual and unit training cycles.

As a Captain there are opportunities to pursue technical training at the Capability and Technical Management College (CTMC) in Canberra. This training will see you qualified to contribute to important capability development and procurement projects for Armoured Officers.


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

Armoured Officers have a strength of about 250 officers and 1000 other ranks and is organised into the following Australian Regular Army (ARA) and Army Reserve (ARes) units:

ARA
  • 1st Armoured Regiment. A Tank Regiment located in Darwin, NT. Equipped with Abrams tanks and M113 family of vehicles
  • 2nd Cavalry Regiment. A Cavalry Regiment currently located in Darwin, NT. Equipped with ASLAV
  • 2/14 Light Horse Regiment (QMI). A Cavalry Regiment located at Enoggera, QLD. Equipped with ASLAV and
  • B Squadron 3/4 Cavalry Regiment. An independent APC Squadron located at Townsville, QLD. Equipped with PMV Bushmaster.
ARes Units
  • 4/19 Prince of Wales Light Horse (PWLH). A Light Cavalry Regiment located at Watsonia, Sale VIC, Albury NSW. Equipped with IIMV and LCPV
  • 1/15 Royal New South Wales Lancers (RNSWL). A Light Cavalry Regiment located at Parramatta and Goulburn, NSW. Equipped with IIMV and LCPV
  • 12/16 Hunter River Lancers (HRL). An Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment located at Tamworth, Armidale and Muswellbrook, NSW. Equipped with IMV Bushmaster
  • 3/9 Light Horse, South Australian Mounted Rifles (SAMR). An Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron located at Elizabeth , SA. Equipped with IIMV and LCPV and
  • A Squadron 10 Light Horse Regiment (10 LH). A Reconnaissance Squadron located at Karrakatta, WA. Equipped with IIMV and LCPV.

ARes Officers also have the opportunity to serve in staff and instructional postings throughout Australia and overseas.


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 ADFA application process from 16 years of age.

Education & Experience

To be eligible for admission to UNSW@ADFA, applicants must have completed Year 12 and obtained an entrance rank high enough to qualify for entry to the relevant degree program.

Note: If you already have a degree, please provide copies of your transcripts as well as Year 12.

Further information on studying at ADFA is available here.

Assumed Knowledge Requirements

Assumed Knowledge is the level of subject knowledge that a lecturer or a tutor of a first year UNSW@ADFA course could reasonably expect of students enrolled in that course.

Assumed Knowledge is fundamental to the assessment of whether or not an applicant is likely to succeed and is taken into account by the ADF (during the recruiting process) and by UNSW@ADFA when assessing the application.

While all UNSW degrees require Year 12 English as Assumed Knowledge, applicants wishing to enter the Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Technology programs (or study Mathematics or Physics as part of a Bachelor of Science degree) also require current Year 12 Mathematics and Year 12 Physics as Assumed Knowledge.

In States where Year 12 English may be replaced by a Humanities subject for the purposes of meeting Year 12 certificate requirements, the Assumed Knowledge is Year 11 English plus a Year 12 Humanities subject.

Further information regarding Assumed Subject Knowledge, including state-by-state specific Year 12 subjects, can be found on the UNSW website.

Note: All applicants for undergraduate programs at ADFA must also apply to the Universities Admissions Centre (NSW and ACT) for entry to the University of New South Wales. The Universities Admissions Centre website is http://www.uac.edu.au/
ADF Service Requirements
You should be aware that in addition to the UNSW@ADFA Assumed Subject Knowledge requirements, there may be some Year 12 subjects that are ADF Service requirements.

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.

Combat positions. Applicants require a higher level of strength and aerobic fitness than non-combat employment categories. Applicants will be expected to pass the relevant Combat Arms Physical Employment Standards before the end of their initial employment training. The Army provides training and support to meet these standards.

Period of Service

You will be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of nine 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.

Defence Academy Entry Officers become liable to an IMPS from the graduation day of their second year of studies. This means that they may leave the Academy at any time up to the end of second year, without any 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 security clearances appropriate to their employment.

A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and, as required, interviews, enables the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency 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, and current policy requires applicants to have a checkable background for the previous 10 years. Required information includes: - Residence

  • Employment
  • Education
  • Credit

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

NOTE: The security clearance is critical to an applicant's successful progression through the Army training system. If an applicant is unable to obtain the required security clearance in time, they will not be allowed to continue their training and may need to be re-allocated to another employment category. As such, it is strongly recommended that all applicants obtain the required documentation as soon as possible to provide the best opportunity to be employed in their preferred employment category.

Training

Military Training

Location of training: Australian Defence Force Academy
Duration of training: 156 Weeks

The academic and military training at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), Canberra ACT, takes three years to complete. After graduation, you will attend the Royal Military College, (RMC) Duntroon, for 12 months to further enhance your military training.

Upon joining ADFA, you will undertake six weeks of initial military training to prepare you for Service life. This training encompasses leadership, ceremonial, physical, field and weapons training. You will also undertake adventure training, learn about academic life and prepare for your first ceremonial parade as a member of the Australian Defence Force. This parade, which is reviewed by the Chief of Defence Force is a great opportunity for your parents, family and friends to celebrate your achievements as you embark on your military career.

During the academic year, up to nine hours per week are assigned to military education and training. This program includes leadership studies, Defence studies, training in military law, weapon handling, communication skills, as well as physical fitness training.

On at least two occasions each year, you will undertake Single Service Training with RMC of approximately two weeks. Over three years, these blocks of training will provide you with all the skills necessary to commence training at RMC upon graduation from ADFA.

Other breaks during the year will provide you with the opportunity to be involved with academic field trips, overseas battlefield study tours, a visit to an overseas defence academy (if you have excelled in your studies) and extracurricular activities such as adventurous training and sporting trips.

All of the above training, together with the qualifications you will gain through your undergraduate degree at the University of New South Wales, will provide you with an excellent grounding to progress with your Army career.

Location of training: Royal Military College
Duration of training: 12 Months

RMC training for ADFA cadets consists of two terms each of approximately six months duration. The first term for ADFA cadets at RMC is referred to as Second Class and their final term is known as First Class. ADFA cadets are not required to complete a preceding six months of RMC training referred to as Third Class because of the academic and military training completed at ADFA.

This is how your military training at RMC will unfold:

Second Class: By the end of Second Class you will have grasped command and leadership skills at section and platoon levels. You will have received further instruction in battle tactics, military history, administration, training, science and technology and communication skills. You will also have the opportunity to apply this knowledge and experience in the field and practice at section command level, expanding to platoon level towards the end of Second Class.

First Class: By now you will be ready to put your knowledge into practice at the section, platoon and company level. Your understanding of strategic issues, management, military history and leadership will also be further developed.

After graduation you will be assigned to one of the Army's specialised branches, known as Corps. Then you can put into professional practice all that you've learned. Initially you will be required to complete several weeks of in-service Corps training and familiarisation. Then you may find yourself taking troops through field exercises, physical training drills, tactical assaults or managing any number of vital Army functions.

During Military (ADFA and RMC) Training and (Initial) Employment Training (Regimental Officers Basic Course etc), you will be required to pay a contribution towards your meals, accommodation and utilities.

Employment Training

RAAC Regimental Officer Basic Course (ROBC): 26 Weeks (approx)

After the ROBC, Officers are employed in one of the regiments of the Corps usually in a leadership command position. Future employment can vary from further command position to staff appointment within the Corps and other positions across the Army.

Further Training

Exchange appointments exist with the US Armour Centre at Fort Knox and with the UK Land Forces in the UK and Europe. Other opportunities for serving with US, UK and NZ forces also exist as part of individual and unit training cycles.

As a Captain there are opportunities to pursue technical training at the Capability and Technical Management College (CTMC) in Canberra. This training will see you qualified to contribute to important capability development and procurement projects for Armoured Officers.