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Robust, effective recruitment processes are crucial to the ADF. These processes are conducted by Defence Force Recruiting (DFR), a specialist organisation dedicated to finding the right people for Australia’s Defence Force. DFR’s mission is ‘To recruit the right people, in the right numbers, at the right time by focusing on the needs of the ADF and our candidates’. DFR administers all aspects of ADF recruitment, from marketing the various employment opportunities within the services, to managing the different stages of the recruitment process. Having a dedicated organisation allows personnel to specialise in recruitment (thus becoming more effective), monitor the success of marketing campaigns and the recruitment process, and to ensure that successful candidates all meet the same set of carefully-identified criteria.
The ADF offers various recruitment avenues for candidates. These include Professional Graduate Officer careers, the ADF Sponsored Undergraduate scheme, Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ADF Gap Year and general entry positions (see Edition 4 Case Study for more details).
Many career paths within the ADF are equivalent to careers in private/public workplaces. These include health (including nurse, doctor, dentist, pharmacist and radiographer), engineering, and trade careers such as electrician, plumber and carpenter. In order to attract quality recruits who might otherwise pursue these careers in the private sector, the ADF offers a range of exclusive benefits. These include:
• Secure employment and job variety
• Free medical and dental assistance
• Subsidised housing
• Undergraduate study
• Professional development:
• Post graduate study
• Professional seminars
• Excellent training opportunities
• Leadership and management skills
• Large support network of mentors & friends
• Opportunities to travel throughout Australia and overseas.
The recruitment process is by necessity multi-staged and rigorous. It is essential candidates understand the high levels of performance expected of them and have a good working knowledge of what their future careers will entail.
HOW TO APPLY
Do your research The first step in the recruitment process is for candidates to investigate the opportunities available. This can be done by visiting www.defencejobs.gov.au, or by calling 13 19 01 and arranging an information session.
Attend a YOU session The first official stage of the process is attending a ‘Your Opportunities Unlimited’ (YOU) session at the nearest Defence Force Recruiting Centre. Here, applicants will undergo an Aptitude Evaluation to determine what positions would suit them, a Medical Interview, an Information Session, and finally an interview with a Careers Counsellor to discuss suitable opportunities.
Interview
After the YOU Session, candidates are booked into an assessment day where they undergo a psychological interview, a medical assessment and a Defence Interview.
Officer selection
If applying to be an Officer, candidates are asked to attend an Officer Selection Board (OSB). This consists of a series of activities designed to test aspects like leadership skills, teamwork and other individual abilities considered critical to the role. They also undergo a formal interview in front of a panel of military officers and psychologist, and participate in a range of challenging problem-solving exercises, designed to test competitiveness for available vacancies.
Fitness test
Candidates who successfully complete the previous stages, are asked to undergo a Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) to ensure they are fit enough to commence training.
Enlistment
Candidates who make it through the entire selection process are sent a letter of offer and subsequently attend an Enlistment/Appointment-Day where they are officially sworn into the ADF. From here, it’s just one short bus ride to basic training!
Lieutenant Jeannie Ko – Navy Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer
Looking for a challenging career that would take her places, Lieutenant Jeannie Ko has found that joining the Navy was the wisest decision she has ever made.
“I wanted to travel and not be confined to a desk; the Navy has definitely given me this. I joined back in 2004 and it’s been really good. The more time I am in and the longer I am in the job, the happier I am with the decision. On my first sea posting I got to travel around Europe; it was great. My next posting will be another sea deployment and I am really looking forward to it.”
While at sea Jeannie found that every day was different and there was always something new to learn.
“At the end of each day I would think ‘wow’, look at all I have achieved. It was definitely a steep learning curve, but I really enjoyed that.”
There is little doubt in Jeannie’s mind that she will stay in the Navy for a while yet – there is still so much she wants to achieve.
“Being in the Navy is the opportunity of a lifetime. The training is second to none; I have gained management and leadership skills that are just not taught to the same extent outside.”
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ADF Case Studies