Email: training@airpilots.org.au
Royal Australian Air Force
© Commonwealth of Australia
Your role as a Royal Australian Air Force pilot can be as varied and exciting as the aircraft you might fly. After initial training, you’ll be assigned to an Operational Conversion Unit on one of the many types the RAAF operate from Air Combat, Mobility, Surveillance or Training Wings.
Royal Australian Air Force Pilot Requirements
All applicants must attend a multi-stage application process to join the RAAF. The process begins by completing an online application form and progresses through a number of detailed assessment stages. The RAAF will also look for any issues that could have an impact on your ability to carry out your specialist role during your RAAF career.
Age
Applicants must be a minimum of 17 years of age on day of entry. Maximum age on entry is 45 years of age. This allows an applicant to complete three years at ADFA and then Initial Officer Training (IOT) and Initial Specialist Employment Training (ISET) and serve the Return of Service Obligation (ROSO) before reaching compulsory retirement age.
Education & Experience
The requirements for acceptance into Initial Officer Training for an Officer Aviation (Mission Aircrew, Mission Controller and Pilot) are:
• Completion of Year 12
• Passes in English and three other academic subjects
• The desired ATAR or equivalent for your chosen degree. As well as applying to the Air Force for entry, you must also apply to the University through the Universities Admissions Centre (NSW and ACT).
The completion of Year 12 university entry level mathematics (unmodified) and physics or multi-strand science is highly desirable.
Medical
There are many conditions which can be easily managed in civilian life and cause no difficulty, but which are exacerbated under the physical and psychological demands of military life. The ADF needs to ensure it selects individuals who can safely complete military training and serve anywhere in the world without suffering further injury or harm. To do this, a full medical check is needed as part of the application process. The entry medical standards have been developed in consultation with specialists who have a detailed understanding of Air Force life.
The medical process is quite detailed and is broken up into components as you progress through the recruiting process.
Health & Fitness requirements
During the application process you’ll be assessed through:
- completion of a questionnaire relating to your medical history,
- a physical examination, and
- a Pre-entry Fitness Assessment (PFA). During the PFA you’ll need to be able to complete a specified number of exercises.
Before acceptance into the ADF you will also be tested for a variety of viral infections, including HIV and Hepatitis B and C. The presence of any of these infections could adversely affect your application.
Weight
Nude body weight of between 44 and 105kg
Height
Sitting Height: 78 to 101cm. Buttock to knee length; 50 to 67cm.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI is a correlation of height and weight. Candidates who do not meet the minimum and maximum BMI criteria will not be accepted into the service. The maximum allowable BMI for entry to the RAAF is 29.9 for Pilots. BMIs of less than 18.5 are considered too low as they present a risk of injury during training.
Eyesight
The minimum standards for both uncorrected and corrected vision vary for different roles and are determined by RAAF medical staff.
Whatever role you’re applying for, if you wear glasses or use contact lenses you will need to bring them along to all your medical assessments. For contact lenses you will need to stop wearing them for a specified period before your medical.
If necessary, talk to your optician about what your eye prescription is and whether it may affect your application.
Aptitude
The application process to join the Australian Defence Force requires you to complete a series of aptitude tests which may include verbal, spatial and numerical ability and a general maths test. Some jobs may also require you to complete additional testing at a later date.
The aptitude tests provide information about your suitability for the Defence Force and for particular jobs. Defence Force Recruiting can then help you identify jobs that best match your abilities.
Psychology support staff will explain what is involved with each test.
Citizenship
Only Australian Citizens are permitted to serve in the ADF.
Security Requirements
The Department of Defence requires ADF entrants to attain a security clearance appropriate to their avenue of entry.
Detailed Evaluation
A detailed evaluation of your suitability to become an Air Force Pilot requires a primary and a secondary selection process. The primary selection process is conducted by Defence Force Recruiting at your local DFRC and includes interviews and an initial Officer Aviation Test Battery (OATB) aptitude test. Those candidates assessed as suitable will progress to the secondary assessment stage, which includes a two day Aviation Screening Program (ASP). Depending on your ASP results you may be invited to attend an Officer Selection Board (OSB). The OSB will be scheduled for some time after ASP.
The Aviation Screening Program will be managed by the Aviation Candidate Management Centre (ACMC) and will take place at RAAF Base East Sale, VIC.
Pay and Conditions/Promotion
When you join the RAAF, your period of service will depend on your entry method and will vary between six and fourteen years. Many people extend their career in the RAAF well beyond the number of years they join for initially. But if you find that the RAAF really isn’t for you, it is possible to make arrangements to leave early.
In the Air Force you'll get paid a good salary from day one regardless of your age, experience or qualifications; and your pay increases as you progress through training. Your salary will then increase as you gain more experience, complete flying training and achieve promotion to a higher rank in the service.
In addition to base pay you'll receive a variety of allowances plus superannuation at a far higher rate than you're likely to find in the civilian world.
In addition to your salary you will receive free medical and dental care, substantial housing and accommodation subsidies While on operations, you won’t pay anything for your accommodation or food – and you could even receive an extra allowance for living overseas. You will also receive Basic Recreational Leave, possible additional leave based on your duties as well as Long Service Leave.
With time, you could have opportunities to earn promotion through the ranks. Some promotions early in your career might be based on your time and satisfactory service. However, as you progress, promotion will be based on merit in competition with your peers: whether you’ve got what it takes to take on the extra responsibility given to more senior ranks.
For current information, visit: Air Force - Defence Jobs.
© The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Australia Incorporated
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