About the Job

If you’re looking to make a difference with your trade qualifications, experience adventure and make mates for life, then the Army Reserve has an exciting opportunity that can work around your lifestyle.

As a part-time Fitter Armament in the Army Reserve, you’ll play a crucial role in repairing and maintaining the weapon systems and equipment that help protect Australia. You’ll get to apply your trade skills in unique environments, changing up your everyday job with the challenges and rewards of the Army Reserve and the chance to help the community.

In this role you will inspect, service, repair and maintain a wide variety of weapons including pistols, machineguns, mortars, shotguns and anti-armour weapons. You will also perform general engineering tasks and repair and maintain miscellaneous equipment like pumps, small engine equipment and workshop equipment.

You'll also receive comprehensive and ongoing training that ensures you can master a huge variety of equipment. You will have opportunities to grow your technical knowledge through a range of specialist courses covering equipment such as artillery and the Abrams Tank armament.

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

  • diagnosing, maintaining and repairing the Army's small arms, weapon systems and miscellaneous equipment
  • working with specialist teams on advanced armament systems fitted to protected and armoured vehicles
  • performing safety and technical inspections on weapon systems and specialist equipment
  • general soldiering duties, such as manning defensive positions, patrolling, traffic control, camouflaging of vehicles and field equipment, and navigation.

On Reserve parade nights at your local unit you can expect to refine your technical 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 technical expertise, maintaining and repairing weapons or other specialist equipment.

This role is a great opportunity to gain leadership skills and practical knowledge that you can take back to your everyday job, and enhance your career prospects – all without giving up your current lifestyle.

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
This role is known as a Weapon Technician in the Army
Employment Category Number (ECN): 146
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.


Reserve Unit Locations

  • Canberra ACT 2600 HMAS Harman
  • Adamstown NSW 2289 Bullecourt Barracks
  • Lismore NSW 2480 Byron Barracks
  • Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Coffs Harbour Depot
  • Armidale NSW 2350 Gaza Depot
  • Holsworthy NSW 2173 Holsworthy Barracks
  • Parramatta NSW 2150 Lancer Barracks
  • Muswellbrook NSW 2333 Muswellbrook Depot
  • Orange NSW 2800 Romani Barracks
  • Sutherland NSW 2232 Sutherland Depot
  • Tamworth NSW 2340 Tamworth Depot
  • Dundas NSW 2117 Timor Barracks
  • Wollongong NSW 2500 University of Wollongong Regiment
  • Greenbank QLD 4124 Greenbank Depot
  • Atherton QLD 4883 Atherton Depot
  • Aurukun QLD 4892 51 FNQR
  • Bamaga QLD 4876 51 FNQR
  • Caboolture QLD 4510 Caboolture Depot
  • Enoggera QLD 4051 Gallipoli Barracks
  • Townsville QLD 4813 Lavarack Barracks
  • Cairns QLD 4892 Pormpuraaw Depot
  • Toowoomba QLD 4350 Toowoomba Depot
  • Cairns QLD 4869 Porton Barracks
  • Glenorchy TAS 7010 Derwent Barracks
  • Wangaratta VIC 3677 Beersheba Barracks
  • Dandenong VIC 3175 Dandenong Depot
  • Bandiana VIC 3694 Gaza Ridge Barracks
  • Broadmeadows VIC 3047 Maygar Barracks
  • Newborough VIC 3825 Newborough Depot
  • Geelong VIC 3220 Newland Barracks
  • Oakleigh VIC 3167 Oakleigh Barracks
  • Bendigo VIC 3551 Passchendaele Barracks
  • Ballarat VIC 3350 Ranger Barracks
  • Watsonia VIC 3087 Simpson Barracks
  • Shepparton VIC 3630 Somme Barracks
  • Broome WA 6725 Broome Depot
  • Exmouth WA 6707 Exmouth Depot
  • Geraldton WA 6530 Geraldton Training Barracks
  • Karrakatta WA 6010 Irwin Barracks
  • Newman WA 6753 Newman Depot
  • Port Hedland WA 6721 Port Hedland Depot
  • Karratha WA 6714 Taylor Barracks
  • Tom Price WA 6751 Tom Price Depot
  • Carnarvon WA 6701 Carnarvon Training Depot

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

You’ll need to be a qualified Fitter having completed a Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical (e.g. a trade qualification as a Fitter and Turner, Fitter Machinist or Maintenance Fitter); or, have evidence of the completion of an approved apprenticeship or traineeship that predominately contains fitting/machining/engineering competencies aligned to a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical and any period of Permanent employment stipulated for that trade.

You should present your trade paperwork at the recruiting interview to ensure the Recognition of Prior Learning/Recognition of Current Competencies process is complete prior to entry. The recognition process cannot be commenced after enlistment.

Any trade evidence submitted should contain the content of training undertaken (i.e. Units of Competencies, statement of attainment, etc.) and must be certified as a true copy of the original otherwise it will not be considered.

Note: applicants must provide a CV (including work history) and three references (one from current employer and two from previous employers) when applying.

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.

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 its 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 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

Initial employment training consists of an Army Reserve RAEME Induction course which is conducted at Unit level and the Small Arms Maintenance Techniques Course which is a two-week residential course conducted at the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (ASEME) which is located within the Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC) in Victoria.

Further trade and equipment courses are available in this role once initial employment training has been completed.