About the Job

If you’re looking to experience adventure, earn tax-free pay and learn tactical and combat-related skills, the Army Reserve has an exciting opportunity that can work around your lifestyle.

What you’ll do

As a part-time member of an Armoured Vehicle Crew, you’ll drive, maintain, command and work with high-tech military vehicles as you undertake reconnaissance, surveillance, offensive, defensive, security and peacekeeping operations.

You’ll receive full training in weapon use and military tactics, conducting patrolling and other tasks in a mounted role in Off road and armoured vehicles, as well as in a dismounted role on foot.

Some of the tasks you’ll be responsible for include:

  • Operating as a scout in tactical and non-tactical situations
  • Supporting with defensive and offensive security
  • Operating high-tech equipment to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance.

You may also learn to drive and operate the following military vehicles:

  • Light Cavalry Patrol Vehicle (LCPV)
  • Interim Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IIMV)
  • Bushmaster (PMV) and Hawkie (PMV-L).

On parade nights you will have the opportunity to receive specialised training, conducting lessons and planning for upcoming exercises. In larger training exercises, you will form an integral part of a vehicle crew or scout patrol conducting reconnaissance and a vast array of missions either mounted in vehicles or as a team on foot. From raiding enemy rear areas to conducting concealed observation posts and ambushes, your team can be small or large and play a pivotal role in shaping future operations.

Just give as little as one night a week, one weekend a month or a few weeks a year – and you’ll get a world of new experiences back.


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

Most Reservists join the Australian Defence Force for the exciting work, the friendships and the lifestyle. But there are many other benefits too, including financial ones.

The pay you receive in the Army Reserve goes straight into your pocket with no deductions for tax, and it increases as you gain seniority and experience.


For more details download our Salary Scales.


Locations

There are Army Reserve depots located all around Australia, and this role may be available near you even if not listed in the locations below. Speak to a recruiter to find out more, or click here to find the Army Reserve depots closest to you.


Reserve Unit Locations

  • Holsworthy NSW 2173 Holsworthy Barracks
  • Parramatta NSW 2150 Lancer Barracks
  • Armidale NSW 2350 Gaza Depot
  • Muswellbrook NSW 2333 Muswellbrook Depot
  • Tamworth NSW 2340 Tamworth Depot
  • Caboolture QLD 4510 Caboolture Depot
  • Smithfield SA 5114 Elizabeth North Training Depot
  • Sale VIC 3850 RAAF Base East Sale
  • Watsonia VIC 3087 Simpson Barracks
  • Karrakatta WA 6010 Irwin Barracks
  • Canberra ACT 2600 HMAS Harman

Requirements

Age

Applicants will not normally be allowed to enter the Defence Force 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, depending upon the capacity of their local recruiting centre.

The Compulsory Retirement Age (CRA) for Reserve Service is 65 years. Enlistment up to and including the age of 60 years is open for all employment categories. Candidates who wish to enlist into the Army Reserve beyond the age of 60 years will need to be further assessed to ensure they would be feasibly able to complete all obligatory pre-requisite training in their chosen area of employment prior to reaching CRA.

Candidates whose age exceeds the age guidelines may still be considered for appointment, providing they have special skills or training that is of value to the Army.

Education & Experience

For this role, you must be over 17 at time of enlistment and have completed an 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 test 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 can work from as little as one night a week, with your first year of service involving between 35-100 days (including IET and Military Training). Each year following you’ll need to commit to between 20-100 days.

Members may transfer out of the active Army Reserve at any time.

All candidates who are appointed or enlisted into the Army Reserve may undertake volunteer service until the age of 65 (Compulsory Retiring Age) subject to the requirements of the Army and suitability for further service.

Additional Requirements

In addition to being able to pass the Army swim test, applicants must be capable of passing the Armoured Corps 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.

Civilian Licence:

If an applicant has a civilian licence that is under suspension or has been cancelled, that applicant is not eligible to enlist as an Armoured Cavalry (ECN 060) 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

Only Australian citizens are permitted to serve in the Defence Force.

If you are a permanent resident of Australia, the Defence Force may consider a temporary waiver of the citizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who meets all 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, 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

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

Army Reserve Recruit Course
Duration: Approximately 3 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.

You will need to complete this course within 6 months of enlisting.

For more information, visit Army Reserve Training.

Employment Training

Land Combat Training
Duration: Approximately 2 weeks
Location: At a unit close to your home location

You will learn the specialist skills and equipment required for your chosen role. This training may include communications, specialist weapons handling, explosives, small to medium UAV operation and driving.

Courses:

Cavalry Scout Grade one
Cavalry Scout Grade two
Driver Qualifications on unit platforms

During these courses you will learn how to:
  • Operate and maintain Patrol Weapon Systems including night fighting equipment.
  • Conduct cavalry operations by day and night in austere field environments.
  • Learn armoured vehicle tactics and how to use the vehicles as part of a formation.
  • Develop a varied array of combat and combat enabling skills such as communications, camouflage and hazard identification.
  • Learn to operate and maintain Armoured vehicles as well and Defence off-road vehicles.