How to become a Commissioned Defence Force Officer

Provides high level management to support the running of an organisational unit within the Australian Defence Force.

Main tasks

• Establishes administrative and operational procedures by considering the operating environment of the Defence Force
• Makes policy decisions and accepts responsibility for Defence operations, staff performance and achievement of targets, and adheres to budgets, standards and procedures
• Establishes lines of control and delegates responsibilities to subordinate Defence Force staff
• Coordinates and facilitates the development of strategic plans and objectives for organisational units within the Defence Force
• Liaises with other officers and external stakeholders to coordinate activities and achieve objectives
• Represents the Defence Force at unit meetings, briefings and other official engagements

Ways in

• University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 71,300 people work in this job group now, and about 81,100 are projected by 2035. (+13.7%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Commissioned Defence Force Officer?

Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees.

Is a Commissioned Defence Force Officer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 14% by 2035, from about 71,300 to about 81,100 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Commissioned Defence Force Officer?

Usually. 85% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Commissioned Defence Force Officer?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04