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The opportunities and benefits on offer through our trades and apprenticeships program are exceptional. The Navy, Army and Air Force need highly trained technicians and tradesmen to ensure that every piece of equipment, from ships, jets and tanks, through to missile systems and telecommunications networks, are maintained in peak condition.
Our trade schools are second to none. You'll work with top shelf facilities and get the best trade qualifications possible, that are nationally recognised and highly sought after in the civilian world. You'll earn a great wage while you train – with subsidised meals and accommodation – plus have a guaranteed job when you've finished. You won't just be working towards a trade career in the Defence Force, you'll be learning skills that will set you up for life.
Every recruit who enters the Defence Force undertakes Basic Recruit Training. You will learn core military knowledge and applications, like how to safely handle weapons, look after machinery and combat potentially dangerous situations. You will also be schooled in the broader life lessons of teamwork, communication and how to live harmoniously with other people. It's a challenging course but incredibly rewarding and you will feel a great sense of achievement when you graduate.
In the Navy, Basic Training lasts 11 weeks and takes place at HMAS Cerberus, a Navy base at Westernport in Victoria.
In the Army, Basic Training lasts around 11 weeks and takes place at the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka, near Wagga Wagga in NSW.
In the Air Force, Basic Training lasts 10 weeks and 2 days, and takes place at Number 1 Recruit Training Centre at RAAF Base Wagga, NSW.
All Defence Force recruits receive $28,060 p.a. during Basic Training. After completing Basic Training, your salary will move up to the level listed for your area of specialist training. See the jobs in the trades section on this website for the specific pay levels for each trade.
After Basic Recruit Training you undertake specialist training in your chosen field. Check the Trade sections on this website for further details of Defence Force technical training.
The Defence Force wants to bring out the very best in you, so throughout your career with us you'll be given lots of opportunities to undertake further training. This can be in your chosen trade or even in a completely new area. We may also help you financially with additional civilian schooling during your period of service, which will help you in the future should you decide to leave.
During Basic Recruit Training you'll receive $28,060 per year, which will increase to $31,719 per year once you begin your technical training. When you have successfully qualified you will earn a salary package of over $60,000 per year. This amount will continue to increase based on your rank and years of service.
There are also a range of food and accommodation subsidies, as well as allowances for things like uniforms, that contribute further to your earnings. Navy personnel will also receive a $10,347 p.a. Seagoing Allowance when they are posted to a sea going vessel.
For further details of pay, training and qualifications refer to the individual job descriptions under the trade careers section on the website.
You receive the same fantastic benefits as all of our Defence Force members like full medical and dental cover, funded superannuation contributions and leave entitlements. For full descriptions of these please refer to the pay & benefits pages of the Navy, Army and Air Force sections.
Your initial period of enlistment is six years (four years if already qualified), but there are options to leave during Basic Training if you decide the Defence Force is not for you. As the timing differs across the three Services, a Defence Force recruiter can advise you of these details.
On completion of your initial enlistment period you can obviously decide to leave, as long as you don't have an outstanding Initial Minimum Period of Service Obligation. This has to do with how much we have invested in your training, to ensure we get a fair return. It usually works out to be the length of your sponsored training, plus one year. A Defence Force recruiter can advise you of these details as they apply to you.
