About the Job

Take control of some of the Army’s most vital assets in a role which presents a new challenge every day.

As a Cargo Operator, you’ll be a member of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport (RACT) and be responsible for the movement and collection of essential Army cargo. Your job is to transport equipment and supplies by road, rail, sea and air, driving a range of military vehicles and watercraft to those who need it. Without you, these goods wouldn’t get to where they need to be.

You can come into this job with little to no experience, just a driver’s licence. We’ll provide world-class military training so you can:

  • Understand how different vehicles and machines run
  • Drive a range of vehicles including rough terrain forklifts and cranes and small landing craft
  • Plan and deliver personnel, stores, equipment and Combat Service Support (CSS) via road, rail, sea and air
  • Receive, process, store and on-forward equipment to support ADF operations and training
  • Manage cargo transport between Army, Navy and Air Force transport at Ports, Air Heads and Rail Terminals
  • Operate and understand computer-based cargo tracking systems
  • Pass knowledge onto new recruits

Through your training you'll also gain transport licence codes, Material Handling Equipment (MHE) licence codes and handling Dangerous Cargo (DG) qualifications.

You will learn to operate a wide range of equipment including computer-based cargo tracking systems, medium and heavy transport and a variety of rough terrain forklifts and cranes, such as:

  • On pavement forklift
  • Telescopic load handlers
  • Reach stacker up to 25 ton
  • Ship crane up to 30 ton
  • Slewing Mobile Crane up to 80 ton

Your role is one that is vital for overseas operations, so there’s plenty of opportunity to travel to new and exciting locations. You’ll also get to work closely with the Navy, loading cargo onboard ships travelling around Australia and beyond. You’ll be an integral part of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport (RACT) – a team responsible for controlling and operating Army transport and its movements.

This is about as far from a desk job as you can get. If you’re keen to sit in a different driver’s seat every day, this could be for you.

In-Service Information
Employment Category Number (ECN): 171
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

The majority of soldiers are employed within 10 Force Support Battalion (FSB) in Townsville. Postings other than 10 FSB are to the Ships Army Elements (SAE) with the Royal Australian Navy.

Whilst posted to a SAE, soldiers receive the same Sea Going Entitlements as Navy Sea Going Allowance and Sea Going Leave. All soldiers in this trade should expect at least one posting to a ship as a private and a subsequent posting as they are promoted through the ranks.


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 four 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.

If you have only received partial recognition of your qualifications, you will be advised of the Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) after the Recognition of Prior Learning/Recognition of Current Competencies process is complete. The IMPS will be between four and seven years.

Additional Requirements

In addition to being able to pass the Army swim test, applicants must be capable of passing the Maritime swim test, which involves swimming 100 metres (using any stroke) whilst wearing AMCU and boots and (without leaving the water) remain afloat out of depth for 5 minutes.

All applicants must hold a current provisional/probationary drivers licence. If a candidate has a civilian licence that is under suspension or has been cancelled, they will not be eligible to enlist into this role until such time that the suspension or cancellation has been lifted or has expired.

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 applicants 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

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

Driver Training Course

Medium Rigid Truck (40M) and Heavy Rigid Truck (HX77) qualification..

Location: Road Transport Wing, Army Logistic Training Centre, Puckapunyal, VIC.
Duration: Up to 63 Days, not including weekends.
Note: Course duration may vary depending on public holidays and other Army requirements.
Note 2: If the applicant is currently under a licence suspension or has their civilian licence cancelled, that applicant is not eligible to enlist within this employment category until that suspension or cancellation has expired.
Cargo Specialist Basic Course
Location: Maritime Wing, Army Logistic Training Centre, Ross Island, Townsville, QLD.
Duration: 56 days.
Note: Course duration may vary depending on public holidays and other Army requirements.