How to become an Army Soldier
As a Soldier, you’ll have the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles. With over 50 roles to choose from, you can serve as a tank driver, infantry soldier or also work in administration, transport, trades, aviation, logistics or communications.
Personal requirements for an Army Soldier
- At least Year 10 completion with passes in English and Maths
- Sufficient general fitness to pass a pre-entry fitness assessment
- Some roles requires a valid probationary license or higher
- At least 17 years of age
- Australian citizenship
- Leadership abilities
- Strong communication and written skills
- Bravery
Education & Training for an Army Soldier
To become an Army soldier you have to complete Year 10 or equivalent with passes in English and mathematics. As a part of the application process, you will need to attend a YOU Session, Assessment Day and pass your pre-entry fitness assessment. Following your appointment in the Army, you will need to undertake specific Army training. This involves a 12-week recruit course with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion at Kapooka, near Wagga Wagga in NSW. Completion of this course is followed by specialised training for particular jobs. Specialisations have different entry requirements, contact Defence Force Recruiting for specific requirements.
Duties & Tasks of an Army Soldier
Army soldiers:
- Operate and maintain a wide variety of military equipment
- Participate in classroom lectures and field training in the areas of navigation, field craft, administration, vehicle maintenance, computer skills and leadership.
- Help in the preparation and execution of military movements
- Ensure the maintenance and safety of military bases and equipment.
Tasks
- Serving as an infantry soldier
- Erecting bridges, building field defences, constructing temporary roads, clearing minefields, repairing airfields and demolishing targets using explosives
- Guarding airfields and other defence force bases
- Maintaining personal arms and ammunition
- Operating artillery, ground and surface-based defence systems, shipboard weapons and other advanced specialist military weapons and equipment
- Crewing armoured fighting vehicles
- Conducting surveillance, reconnaissance and boarding operations
- Providing firepower and ground-based air defence
- Establishing and maintaining command, control and communications equipment and facilities
Working conditions for an Army Soldier
Army soldiers can be posted to capital or regional cities throughout Australia and can expect to serve in a variety of units and formations throughout their careers. Army soldiers may travel nationally and possibly internationally whilst in the Army.
Employment Opportunities for an Army Soldier
Recruitment into the Australian Defence Force is conducted on an Australia-wide basis all year round.
Specializations
Army Soldier
As a Soldier, you’ll have the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles. With over 50 roles to choose from, you can serve as a tank driver, infantry soldier or also work in administration, transport, trades, aviation, logistics or communications.
Average age
27 years
Future Growth
Stable
Gender Share
13% female
Average full-time
50 hours
Weekly Pay
Unavailable
Skill level rating
Medium skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
94% Full-Time
Employment Size
110 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 4.7%
NSW: 27.7%
NT: 8.6%
QLD: 35.9%
SA: 6.5%
TAS: 0.3%
VIC: 9.8%
WA: 6.4%
Age brackets
15-19: 8.2%
20-24: 28.5%
25-34: 37.9%
35-44: 14.6%
45-54: 8.5%
55-59: 1.7%
60-64: 0.3%
65 and Over: 0.2%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 10.8%
Bachelor degree: 5.6%
Certificate III/IV: 26.5%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 2.2%
Year 10 and below: 7.8%
Year 11: 6.5%
Year 12: 40.6%
