Defence Force Member - Other Ranks

An other ranks member of the Australian Defence Force performs operational, technical, or support duties across the Army, Navy, or Air Force in peacetime and combat environments. They execute orders from commissioned officers and senior non-commissioned officers, maintain military equipment and vehicles, conduct surveillance and reconnaissance tasks, and provide logistics or administrative support to defence operations. Work occurs on bases, ships, aircraft, field postings, and deployments both within Australia and overseas.

Execute combat and patrol operations in designated theatres, including dismounted infantry manoeuvres, vehicle-mounted operations, and coordination with other military units. Maintain and service military equipment including weapons systems, vehicles, radar systems, and communications hardware according to Defence maintenance protocols and manufacturer specifications. Operate military vehicles such as trucks, armoured personnel carriers, helicopters, and fast attack craft within safety and operational parameters. Conduct surveillance, reconnaissance, and observation duties using binoculars, thermal imaging equipment, and sensor systems to gather intelligence on targets and terrain. Stand sentry duty and perform perimeter security checks at Defence establishments, ensuring access control and monitoring for unauthorised activity. Load, prepare, and fire small arms, machine guns, mortars, or naval weapons during training and operational deployments. Respond to emergency calls and provide first aid to casualties using Defence medical protocols and equipment in operational settings. Prepare and maintain military camps, including erecting tents, installing generators, and establishing water and sanitation facilities in field environments.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate IV or Certificate III with at least two years of on-the-job training (ABS skill level 3). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You'll face long stretches away from home on deployments, often in dangerous or remote locations. The work is physically and mentally demanding, with strict hierarchies and limited control over where you're posted or when. Career progression slows significantly without further qualifications, and the transition to civilian work afterwards can be tough.

Practically all positions are at or near major Defence establishments rather than regional centres. Remote work doesn't exist in this role.

• Active Listeningcore
• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Camouflagecore
• Civil aviation regulationscore
• Confidentiality and Privacy Compliancecore
• Conflict Resolutioncore
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivitycore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Goal Setting and Planning
• Multitasking
• Professional Boundaries Maintenance
• Record Management
• Regulatory and Legislative Awareness
• Report Writing
• Workload Self-Management
• Written Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

What Defence Force Member - Other Ranks workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026