About the Job

Challenge yourself with a hands-on role full of adventure. Become a highly skilled soldier, trained to fight enemies at close quarters in all phases of warfare, using high-tech equipment and weaponry.

What you’ll do

As an Infantry Soldier, you’ll work as part of a cohesive unit to locate the enemy and gather intelligence through patrolling and surveillance. Once the enemy is detected – and usually after air, artillery or naval bombardment – Infantry Soldiers are the first to deploy. You’re tasked with capturing or killing the enemy, holding ground or repelling attack using a variety of equipment and tactics at your disposal.

As a highly trained Infantry Soldier, key tasks include:

  • Locating enemies by gathering intelligence through patrol and surveillance
  • Seizing and holding ground from enemy forces
  • Close combat and application of lethal and non-lethal force
  • Offensive and Defensive Operations
  • Providing security for Army units and vital assets
  • Humanitarian assistance missions
  • International training, advise and assist missions

This role relies heavily on skilled tactics, effective teamwork and the ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations and environments. Whether you’re positioned on the front line of the battlefield, providing security for other units or conducting a humanitarian mission, you’ll be relied upon to perform your role in challenging conditions, night and day. No matter the situation, you and your team will be expected to use the skills you’ve learnt to complete your mission.

This is a demanding role, so it's important you're prepared both mentally and physically. You’ll be working in unique environments where no two days are the same, but every day will be rewarding as you play a key role in protecting Australia.

Training and Progression

There is no experience required to become an Infantry Soldier – you’ll learn all you need to know during your Initial Employment Training (IET). You will be taught to use high-tech weapons including:

  • EF88 AUSTEYR rifle, which can be fitted with a Grenade Launcher Assembly (GLA) and advanced sighting systems
  • F89 Light Support Weapon
  • M18A1 Claymore - anti personnel weapon
  • 66mm Light Direct Fire Support Weapon (LDFSW)
  • Grenades
  • Night vision and thermal imagery equipment.

As your career progresses, you may use heavy weapons such as mortars, anti-armour weapons and Mag 58 General Support Machine Guns. Your equipment could include Drones, Airframes, Small Craft, Protected Mobility Vehicles and Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

Throughout your career, there are opportunities to conduct training and development to enhance your skills. Within any company of a battalion, you could specialise as a:

  • Driver
  • Vehicle Crew Commander
  • Section Leader
  • Mortarman
  • Signaller
  • Sniper
  • Direct Fire Support Weapon Crew Member (anti-armour or machine gun)
  • Reconnaissance
  • Scout
  • Machine Gunner
  • Vehicle Gunner
  • Combat Communicator
Additional Information

Infantry Soldiers are part of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps (RAInf) and are posted to one of the seven battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment. Each Battalion has a dedicated unit role being Armoured Infantry, Amphibious, Littoral or Motorised Infantry.

While Infantry Soldiers are supported in operations by other elements of the Australian Defence Force, Infantry units are capable and expected to act independently for limited periods of time. You’ll be responsible for your own security and the maintenance of your fighting capability at all times.

This is an opportunity to challenge yourself and do something out of the ordinary. You’ll experience a new level of physical strength and mental fortitude, while travelling Australia and abroad, with a team of lifelong friends.

In-Service Information
This role is known as Rifleman within the Army.
Employment Category Number (ECN): 343
Employment Category: Combat


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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

Upon completion of your Initial Employment Training (IET), your first posting as an Infantry Soldier will likely be to one of the large Combat Battalions.

Infantry Soldiers are employed in Army, Tri-Service and Special Operations units domestically and internationally.

Primary posting locations include:

  • Townsville, QLD
  • Brisbane, QLD
  • Adelaide, SA
  • Darwin, NT

There may be opportunities to post to other locations based on service need, career development needs and individual preferences.

You may also have the opportunity to deploy overseas on operations during your career.


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

Females will be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 2 years.

Males will be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 4 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

After graduating from recruit training, you'll start learning the skills of your trade or profession under the guidance of world-class Army instructors.

Infantry Course
Duration: Approximately 3 months.
Location: School of Infantry, Singleton, NSW.

You will learn infantry tactics, weapons and equipment to engage in close quarters battle in the field and urban environment. You’ll also learn how to shoot, move and communicate all at once in a highly skilled team within a combat environment.

Once you’ve finished your Initial Employment Training, you’ll be assigned to an Army unit and your career as a soldier will begin.

Throughout your career, you will also have the opportunity to develop your skills with specialist training as a section leader, signaller, mortarman, patrolman, sniper or heavy weapons specialist.