Defence Member and Family Support

If your interviews are successful, you will be progressed to the third phase which includes a letter of offer for appointment/enlistment.

Workforce conditions

The offer will outline all the workforce conditions which you need to accept in order to commence a career within the ADF. The respective Service’s recruitment team will discuss any likely conditions with you before finalising the offer.

The letter of offer will include the following information:

• The primary role - This is the Primary Qualification or Category within the ADF.
• Date of appointment/enlistment – This date is generally aligned with the requirements for arrival, integration and initial entry training in Australia.
• Rank and seniority – Your rank on entry will not necessarily be as a direct transfer of your existing rank, but will be based on ADF workforce requirements. Your seniority will also be aligned as required.
• Pay – Your salary and allowances on commencement of service with the ADF will be included in the offer. The salary level will depend on your placement within the ADF pay structure, as determined by your rank, qualifications and experience. Further details can be found at ADF pay and allowances.
• Appointment/enlistment period – This period will vary between the Services but is generally between three and six years and represents the minimum period you will be required to serve.
• Training requirements – ADF and Service-specific skills and qualifications are not directly aligned to the foreign military to which you belonged. There may also be a requirement to undertake bridging training before filling a designated position.
• Further periods of service – These will be considered at the discretion of each Service. Engagement beyond the initial period of service is not guaranteed.

The offer is conditional upon you satisfying medical, immigration and security clearancerequirements and the outcome of a final interview with Defence Member and Family Support.

It is also a mandatory requirement of your acceptance of the conditions of service contained in your Letter of Offer that you apply for Australian citizenship once you have completed 90 days of service in Australia.

Important: You are strongly advised not to commence irreversible lifestyle changes in the early stages of your application, such as selling the family home or car.

Conditions in Australia

The ADF provides a range of conditions of service and support mechanisms to its members. However, ADF members need to be self-sufficient and resilient and are encouraged to integrate into the wider community.

Accordingly, it is vital that you and your family are aware of the social and economic changes that may result from your relocation to Australia. It is expected that you have conducted your own research into the location you are posting to as well as Australia more generally.

This includes research into the Australian:

• education system of the state or territory in which you are posted, including schools, types and localities
• financial and taxation system, and
• medical system, including Medicare and private health insurance options.

Related: Life in Australia