How To Join The Australian Army: Become A Solider

Many people dream of joining the Australian Army. It is a matter of utmost pride and honour for them to train hard, wear the uniform, and serve the nation from the front.

When you join the Australian Army as a soldier, you will become part of a proud and long heritage. The Army strictly focuses on tradition, teamwork, commitment to excellence, courage, and pride.

Today, they also provide young army aspirants with a modern, dynamic, and sophisticated environment, offering all types of opportunities.

So if you wish to be a part of the Australian Army, read the post below to learn how to join the Army in Australia, the requirements, the maximum age, and how you can join as a foreigner to challenge yourself to be the best.

1. Why Join The Australian Army?

You will enjoy plenty of benefits as a soldier in the Army, such as gaining recognised qualifications, world-class army training in Australia, the opportunity for career advancement, ongoing job security, and an excellent pay scale.

No experience is required to apply, although previous qualifications or studies may receive recognition. Above all, joining the Army will help you get the best out of yourself. You will acquire professional skills and personal qualities that will remain with you throughout your life.

2. Major Tasks and Duties of a Soldier

• Help in the execution and preparation of military movements.

• Take part in classroom lectures and field training in administration, leadership, vehicle maintenance, fieldcraft, computer skills, and navigation.

• Maintain and operate a wide variety of military equipment.

• Ensure the safety and maintenance of military bases and equipment.

• Conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, and board operations.

• Guard airfields and other defence force bases.

• Crew armoured fighting vehicles.

• Establish and maintain command, control and communications facilities and equipment.

• Provide firepower to ground-based air defence.

• Serve as an infantry soldier.

• Operate shipboard weapons, ground and surface-based defence systems, artillery, and other advanced specialist military equipment and weapons.

• Clear minefields, erect bridges, demolish targets using explosives, repair airfields, construct temporary roads, and build field defences.

3. What Types of Jobs Can You Do As a Soldier in Australia?

The Australian Army has more than 50 jobs for a soldier, so you are bound to find one that interests you. As a soldier, you will receive civilian recognition and get trained in all areas of your work.

You can choose to undertake trade jobs, which help you study a specialised trade qualification as you learn at a TAFE institute. You can also select a non-trade job that has unique training requirements. 

The table below shows a few examples of trade and non-trade jobs:

4. What Are The Educational Requirements To Become A Soldier in Australia?

To apply for a trade position, you must complete year ten or equivalent and achieve sound achievement in Science, Mathematics, English and one other field.

To apply for a non-trade position, you must complete Year 9 or equivalent. You must achieve sound achievement in Mathematics and English. Some trade jobs may also require you to have prior study experience in Science subjects like Physics. 

You may even need additional educational requirements. To get more details, visit the defence jobs website.

Note: A 'sound achievement' or a 'pass' means the result that places you among the top 70 per cent of students.

5. How Old Do You Have to Be To Join The Army In Australia?

The minimum age requirement to join the Australian Army is 17 years. However, you can start the application process when you are six months away from turning 17.

• Suppose you are under 17 and want to join the Army. In that case, you must get your application authorised in writing by both your legal guardians and parents. It would help if you did this because you are still considered a minor. Here are some other things you must consider:

• There is no fixed maximum age to join the Army in Australia, as it entirely depends on the position you are applying for. However, according to the guideline, you can only enter the Army if you are three years away from the obligatory retirement age for a particular position.

• As proof of birth date, you must present your birth certificate. In some cases, evidence in the form of a Statutory Declaration is also accepted.

• Photocopies or replicas of birth certificates or receipts by a District Registrar are unacceptable unless officially issued or certified.

• If you are under 17 but older than twelve and a half years, you can join the Australian Defence Force. This is to get a taste of what it's like to join the Army to learn team-building, leadership, and survival skills.

• Anyone can join the Australian Army as there are no gender restrictions.

6. What Are The Australian Army Fitness Requirements?

You will have to take a pre-enlistment fitness assessment before joining the Army. It is not that hard, but you will require a fair degree of fitness to pass the test. The fitness assessment takes place almost two weeks before your enlistment day, and you must pass the test to get enlisted.

The assessment evaluates cardiovascular strength and muscular endurance through sit-ups, push-ups, and a 20-meter shuttle run test. You need to take the test as it is compulsory for training purposes. Also, the assessment validates the recruit's essential fitness and indicates how prone the candidate is to injury.

Physical fitness is a crucial part of the Army as the recruits need to meet challenging physical tasks of their job. Even army training in Australia mainly focuses on developing endurance, body strength, and coordination. The pre-enlistment fitness assessment (PFA) is the initial part of the physical development process and offers a solid platform for activities.

Here are the details about the three main components of the PFA:

Sit-Ups

You need to perform sit-ups in military style. The feet are 90-degree anchored, and the angle is formed at the knee, between the lower and upper legs. It helps if you place your hands along the top of the upper leg, and one sit-up counts when the wrist reaches the kneecap.

The hands run up and down the legs freely and are not used to pull up the torso. You need to complete one repetition every three seconds. Also, it is vital to listen to the physical training instructor during the test and perform the sit-ups correctly. Here are the standard sit-up requirements to pass the test:

Part-time

• Female: 45

• Male: 45

Full-time

• Female: 45

• Male: 45

Push-Ups

You must do the push-ups in military style, in which the toes and the hands are directly in touch with the ground, and the back remains straight (parallel to the floor). The shoulders are lowered to produce a 90° angle at the elbow, between the lower and the upper arm.

It is vital to keep the back straight during each push-up. For both women and men, the push-up style is the same. You must listen to the instructions given by the physical training instructor to perform the push-up correctly during the assessment. Here are the standard push-up requirements to pass the test:

Part-time

• Female: 8

• Male: 15

Full- time

• Female: 8

• Male: 15

Note: Special forces must achieve 60 sit-ups, 40 push-ups, shuttle runs to level 10.1, and 6 over-grasp heaves (pull-ups).

Beep Test

The Beep Test, also called Multi-Stop Fitness Test, comprises a sprint sequence or 20-meter shuttle run. You will need to perform several sprints or shuttles at each exam level. As the test proceeds, the time allowed for each shuttle reduces, and the speed required to finish the shuttle increases in the given time.

The test starts at a rate slightly above a fast pace of walking and accelerates to full speed by reaching level 7.5. The trial at level 7.5 takes around six minutes and thirty seconds to complete and incorporates 56 shuttles.

Furthermore, the test demonstrates individual aerobic fitness and the ability of the body to cope with the dynamics of the recruitment program. You must listen to the instructor carefully before starting the beep test. The following are the shuttle run scores required to pass the test.

Part-Time

• Female: 7.5

• Male: 7.5

Full Time

• Female: 7.5

• Male: 7.5

7. Can You Join The Army With A Criminal Record In Australia?

You can apply for the Australian Army irrespective of your criminal past. But entry into the Army depends entirely on the seriousness of the offence committed and how hard you try to pitch yourselves to the recruiters.

If you want to enrol, do not hide your past, as they will find out. Always be honest — the worst scenario is that they will ask you to apply again in one or two years.

Focus on your fitness as it will help any unfavourable perceptions. Also, it is a good idea to work on your problem-solving skills and mathematics and English abilities. Online practice tests and books are available to assist you with enlistment tests.

8. How To Join The Australian Army as a Foreigner?

Overseas applicants from allied nations with relevant military experience can seek to join the Armed Forces in Australia. Also, you need to apply for Australian citizenship to be a part of the Australian Army. 

Under certain conditions, if an Australian citizen cannot fill a post, citizenship needs can be revoked, and applications might get accepted. However, citizenship is a must-have in specific defence fields, particularly any sensitive work involving collaboration with ASIS or ASIO.

As an overseas applicant, you need to meet the following eligibility requirements to apply for a post in Army:

• At the time of application, you must be less than 50 years old.

• You must possess skills, qualifications, and helpful experience in the Army.

• You must be a currently serving member of the foreign military or left your services three years ago. 

• You must demonstrate proficiency in the English language (writing, reading, speaking, and listening) as directed by the international English language test system.

• You must have at least five years of full-time military experience.

• You must be eligible to undertake Australian citizenship.

• You must hold and obtain an appropriate ADF (Australian Defence Force) security clearance.

• You must pass the medical entry standard set by the ADF.

• You must resign from your current military service and have no obligations to complete any Reserve service.

• You must obtain subclass 186 - an Employer Nomination Scheme Visa from the Department of Home Affairs. You and your accompanying family must also meet specific character and health requirements.

Visit the Australian army website to get more information about the eligibility criteria and the application process for overseas applicants.

9. How Much Does a Soldier Earn in Australia?

The Army pays quite well compared to other civilian employers in Australia. The minimum Australian army salary for soldiers during their basic military training in Australia is more than AU$25,000 per annum. 

When you start your Initial Employment Training (IET), your salary will jump over AU$28,000. After completing your course successfully, you may receive between AU$44,000 and AU$49,000, depending on your chosen role.

Now that you know everything about how to become a soldier in Australia, you are ready to embark on your fitness journey and start preparing for the career of your dream.

Useful Links to Explore:

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• How to find Part-Time work as a Student in Australia
• Seven Tips for Students on a Budget in Australia
• How to get a Scholarship to Study in Australia
• Driving in Australia as an International Student
• How to change your Course or Institute in Australia
• The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
• A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
• Types of Education in Australia
• What to Study in Australia?