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Frequently Asked Questions

Fitness

Do I always have to do physical training?

To ensure an operational capability, Defence requires its personnel to maintain a high level of physical fitness. Defence achieves this by encouraging sporting activities, generally, conducted during working hours.

For administration jobs, do you still have to do physical training?

All members of the Defence Force are required to pass fitness tests regardless of their employment.

I have heard that the Defence Force uses the Body Mass Index (BMI) as one of the means of determining medical eligibility. Can you explain this?

The BMI is calculated by the formula: weight (kilograms) divided by height (metres) squared, i.e. kg/m2, and is a guideline of an appropriate range of body weight with respect to minimising certain health risks.

  • Under 18.5 You will be assessed by the examining medical officer in order to determine whether you could cope with the demands of training.
  • 18.5 to 30 You fall within the acceptable range for entry.
  • 30 to 33 You fall within the acceptable range for entry; however, your body fat percentage will also be calculated and recorded.
  • Above 33 Is not acceptable for entry into the ADF and you will be classified as medically unfit. Should you lose weight and meet the BMI standards you will need to provide evidence of maintaining this weight loss for at least 6 months.

Please note that the BMI result is indicative only, other factors that affect the result. An initial adverse BMI result or failing the pre-entry physical fitness test may not necessarily preclude you from into the ADF. However, some career paths apply stringent standards. For example, some aircrew occupations must have a BMI between 18.5 and 29.9; however, must have a body weight between 55 kilograms and 105 kilograms (in underwear).

What are the medical & physical fitness requirements for entry?

For information on the Medical and Physical fitness standards for the Navy, Army and Air Force, please visit the Requirements page.

What is the ADF policy on physical training?

To ensure an operational capability, Defence requires its personnel to maintain a high level of physical fitness. Defence achieves this by encouraging sporting activities, generally, conducted during working hours.

What sports can I represent the services for? How much training is involved?

If you love sport, you'll love life in the ADF. Sport promotes teamwork and fitness – two powerful and invaluable qualities.

Just about every sport you can think of runs a social or competitive club you can join. Most bases have excellent facilities, such as football and cricket fields, golf courses, gyms, basketball and tennis courts, just to name a few.

The ADF has a number of teams representing it at various levels, including internationally. These teams include basketball, hockey, netball and soccer.

Being an ADF member does not restrict you from joining civilian, special interest clubs. In fact, we encourage you to be an active member in your local community.

Will I need to carry big backpacks?

While carrying a pack can be challenging at times, it is by no means an unachievable task. It also differs between the services.

Navy

As a general rule, a pack is not worn. Packs may be incorporated into some aspects of physical fitness or adventure training. There are guidelines for personnel regarding lifting and carrying weights.

Army

There is a requirement to carry loads, such as packs, at certain times during your training. You will train to carry packs with loads that become progressively heavier throughout your course and your progress and abilities will be monitored closely. Depending on your career path, and your location of posting, you may be required to carry packs for short periods of time during activities such as exercises, deployments and physical fitness training.

RAAF

During stages of your training you will be required to carry a pack. Prior to this you will be instructed on how to correctly set-up and wear your pack to minimise the risk of injury.


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