About the Job

The Australian Army employs dentists as Dentists in Army health units. You may serve in a deployable health unit (for example general health battalion) and provide dental support augmentation of Dentists to Joint Health Command garrison or barracks dental centres. Dentists are serving members of the Royal Australian Army Dental Corps (RAADC).

Within deployable Dental teams, you will have similar modern, contemporary, technology, equipment, materials, laboratory and assistance you would have in civilian practice. The only difference is that your patients are Australian Defence Force members. On unique occasions where you may provide assistance in remote areas, you may be supporting indigenous communities or civilians in disaster relief areas.

As an Army Dentist, you may be responsible for the training, welfare and discipline of the soldiers under your command who make up your staff. You will have opportunities to develop and hone your leadership style and work in small teams or leading a dental practice. Depending on your unit, you may be required to perform your duties as a Dentist in a clinical environment in the field, barracks or in operational conditions.

You may also get opportunities to do full - time postgraduate training to further your skills and qualifications. Several selected training serials exist that can be applied for. These include dental specific tertiary short courses, certificates or diplomas to masters' level dental sponsorship. You may also be called on by your Commanding Officer to perform regimental duties, such as serving on a Mess Committee or as a sports officer.

In subsequent postings your responsibilities will increase and you may progress to a staff appointment on a Formation Headquarters or the Directorate of Defence Force Dentistry.


This entry method is currently not recruiting

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

Most Dentists will be posted to dental units associated with Health Battalions. These are primarily located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville. Depending on rank and experience, other locations are possible if the officer decides to accept non-dental jobs.


Requirements

Age

Applicants must have reached 17 years of age on entry.

Applicants will not normally 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.

The Compulsory Retirement Age (CRA) for Reserve Service is 65 years. Candidates applying for Reserve Service must be under the age of 61 years, which is open for all employment categories. Candidates who wish to enlist into the Army Reserve beyond the age of 61 years will need to be further assessed to ensure that they would be feasibly able to complete all obligatory pre-requisite training in their chosen area of employment prior to reaching CRA.

Education & Experience

You must be: in your final year of study, or, qualified and eligible to register, or, registered to practice as a Dentist or Dental Surgeon in a State or Territory of Australia.

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 enlistment.

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.

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

Specialist Service Officer First Appointment Course (Part 1 only) 
Location: Royal Military College – Duntroon, Canberra, ACT.
Duration: 10 days 

You will learn fundamental knowledge of leadership, command and control, unit and personnel administration, basic military skills and the ideals of officer behaviour and attitudes necessary for future employment.

Employment Training

Logistic Officer Basic Course: 4 Weeks

You will attend the Logistic Officer Basic course at the Army Logistic Training Centre in Wodonga, Victoria.

Logistic courses are offered to broaden the logistic and military skills of the officer. The Logistic Officers Basic Course is completed after the SSO Course and is a pre-requisite for attendance at all further courses. Further logistic courses will be offered with career progression.

Dental Specific Courses will also be undertaken and form the basis of the Dentist's Career Structure. Depending on their level of experience, dentists may be required to attend a Relative Anaesthesia, a Forensic Course and an Advanced Life Support course.

Dentists may be offered all Corps training to increase their military skills.