About the Job

If you want to make a real difference with your trade qualifications while experiencing adventure, the Army Reserve has an exciting opportunity for you.

As a part-time Electrician, you’ll help power buildings and facilities by performing electrical and general building tasks associated with the construction, repair and maintenance of structures for the Australian Army.

You will work in unique military situations – on base and on exercise – enjoying new challenges outside your full-time job. Some of the tasks you’ll be responsible for include:

  • Applying electrical trade skills
  • Assisting with combat engineering tasks
  • Advising on plumbing and construction matters, including during Exercises/Operations
  • Performing military duties including deployment
  • Providing detailed site sketches
  • Interpreting plans, specifications and drawings
  • Checking stores, materials and equipment
  • Assisting in site preparation, planning, inspection and set-out
  • Interpreting building standards, codes, technical literature and data
  • Maintaining tools and equipment
  • Preparing bills of materials and purchasing project stores
  • Compiling specifications, scopes of work and cost estimates
  • Meeting Quality Assurance (QA), health and safety, and procurement procedures
  • Training team members
  • Performing administrative duties.

On Reserve parade nights, you can expect to refine your electrician skills, plan ahead for exercises and keep up your soldier training. In larger training exercises, you’ll play a valuable role supporting your team, whether that’s by providing electrical expertise, ensuring field power generation, conducting electrical repairs or aiding in humanitarian construction.

This is a great opportunity to gain leadership skills and practical knowledge to take back to your full-time role. As well as being part of a close-knit team, you’ll also make mates for life and enjoy tax-free pay – without having to compromise your lifestyle in this flexible role.

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.

In-Service Information
Employment Category Number (ECN): 125
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

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.

With this being a critical role within the Defence Force, it’s possible that positions will be created outside of the listed locations. This will be reviewed and determined on a case by case basis.


Reserve Unit Locations

  • Canberra ACT 2600 HMAS Harman
  • Enoggera QLD 4051 Gallipoli Barracks
  • Ipswich QLD 4305 Ipswich Depot
  • Keswick SA 5035 Keswick Barracks
  • Warradale SA 5046 Warradale Barracks
  • Mount Gambier SA 5290 Mount Gambier Training Depot
  • Ringwood VIC 3135 Engineering Training Depot
  • Newborough VIC 3825 Newborough Depot
  • Oakleigh VIC 3167 Oakleigh Barracks
  • Karrakatta WA 6010 Irwin Barracks
  • Joondalup WA 6027 Joondalup Depot
  • Kalgoorlie WA 6430 Kalgoorlie Training Depot

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 a qualified Electrician, having completed an approved apprenticeship or approved traineeship at a recognised Australian institution, as well as the full-time employment requirement for that trade.

You’ll also need to have completed an Australian Year 9 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.

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 35-70 days (including IET and Military Training). Each year following you’ll need to commit to between 20-70 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.

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 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

Employment training takes place over 15 days and covers the following:

  • Operating and maintaining a range of hand and power tools
  • Carrying out construction tasks using expedient methods and materials
  • Assisting in the construction of obstacles and basic field defences
  • Understanding construction plant equipment, capabilities and safety
  • Assisting in the setup, operation and maintenance of water supply equipment, pumps and water testing equipment
  • Operating small, powered watercraft and constructing improvised watercraft.