How to become a Defence Force Member - Other Ranks

Provides specialised military services to the Australian Defence Force.

Main tasks

• Guards airfields and other Defence Force bases as directed by superiors
• Serves as an infantry soldier
• Erects bridges, builds field defences, constructs temporary roads, clears minefields, repairs airfields, and demolishes targets using explosives
• Crews armoured fighting vehicles
• Operates artillery, ground and surface-based defence systems, shipboard weapons, and other advanced specialist military weapons and equipment
• Provides firepower and ground-based air defence
• Establishes and maintains command, control and communications equipment and facilities
• Conducts surveillance, reconnaissance and boarding operations
• Maintains personal arms and ammunition
• Provides support in combat and non-combat operations such as peacekeeping and disaster recovery

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Air Dispatch (DEF30317); Certificate III in Explosive Ordnance Maintenance (DEF30120); Certificate III in Explosive Ordnance Manufacture (DEF30220); Certificate III in Explosive Ordnance Operations (DEF30320); Certificate III in Explosive Ordnance Proof and Experimental (DEF30420); Certificate III in Field Petroleum Operations (DEF30117); Certificate II in Explosive Ordnance (DEF20120); Certificate II in Explosive Ordnance Manufacture (DEF20220)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 4,100 people work in this job group now, and about 4,400 are projected by 2035. (+9.4%)
• 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.

Related jobs

• Emergency Services Officer
• Firefighter
• General Duties Police Officer
• Border Enforcement Operations Officer

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Defence Force Member - Other Ranks?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Air Dispatch; Certificate III in Explosive Ordnance Maintenance.

Is a Defence Force Member - Other Ranks a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2035, from about 4,100 to about 4,400 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Defence Force Member - Other Ranks?

Usually not. Only 11% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Air Dispatch; Certificate III in Explosive Ordnance Maintenance.

Will AI change the work of a Defence Force Member - Other Ranks?

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