Contact us via Indeed for a referral to initiate the application process.

Australian Army Paid Trade Apprenticeships Audience: Those seeking a practical trade career

Employment Type: Full-time Army service with paid technical training

Location: Australia-wide, with specialist training conducted through Army technical training establishments

Earn. Learn. Qualify. Serve.

If you want a hands-on career where you can earn while you train, gain nationally recognised qualifications, and work with advanced equipment, an Australian Army trade apprenticeship offers a strong start.

As an Army apprentice, you will complete structured military and trade training, develop practical technical skills, and graduate into a specialist trade role with qualifications that are recognised beyond Defence.

General Training Pathway

Most Army technical apprentices follow a structured pathway:

Army foundation training

Build the discipline, fitness, teamwork, and military skills required for Army service.

Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Common Training

Learn the shared skills required across Army technical trades, including induction, maintenance workplace expectations, safety, communications, and other common soldier-technician skills.

Initial Trade Training Complete formal trade training in a residential training environment, combining classroom learning, simulated workshops, practical trade tasks, and assessments.

On-the-Job Training or Experience Apply your skills in Army workplaces under supervision, completing practical tasks that support the award of trade qualifications and confirm job readiness.

Available Trade Pathways

1. Electronics Technician

As an Electronics Technician, you will learn to diagnose, repair, and maintain electronic and communication systems used across Army equipment. Training includes technical fault-finding, electronics repair, communications systems, and specialist Army equipment maintenance.

Training pathway

Initial trade training: approximately 18 months

On-the-job training: average 10 months, up to 14 months

Certificate attained

UEE30920 – Certificate III in Electronics and Communications

2. Vehicle Technician

As a Vehicle Technician, you will learn to service, diagnose, and repair Army vehicles, including heavy commercial vehicle systems, diesel engines, brakes, steering, suspension, hydraulics, electrical systems, and air conditioning.

Training pathway Initial trade training: approximately 18 months

On-the-job training: average 10 months, up to 14 months

Certificates and licences attained

AUR31120 – Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology

AUR20220 – Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology

3. Weapon Technician

As a Weapon Technician, you will develop mechanical trade skills used to inspect, maintain, repair, and support Army weapon systems and related mechanical equipment. Training includes precision fitting, machining, technical inspection, welding, and mechanical maintenance.

Training pathway

Initial trade training: approximately 18 months

On-the-job training: average 10 months, up to 14 months

Certificate attained MEM30219 – Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade

4. Material Technician

As a Material Technician, you will learn fabrication, welding, machining, repair, inspection, and materials maintenance skills. This trade suits people who enjoy hands-on workshop work, metal fabrication, and practical repair tasks.

Training pathway

Initial trade training: approximately 13 months

On-the-job training: average 10 months, up to 14 months

Certificates and licences attained

MEM31925 – Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade

5. Energy Technician As an Energy Technician, you will train in electrical fitting, air conditioning, refrigeration, power generation, and power distribution systems. This pathway is suited to people interested in electrical systems, generators, refrigeration, diagnostics, and field power support.

Training pathway

Initial trade training: approximately 18 months

On-the-job training: average 10 months, up to 14 months

Additional specialist training in low, medium, and high-capacity power generation and distribution systems

Certificates and licences attained

UEE33020 – Certificate III in Electrical Fitting

UEE32225 – Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

6. Recovery Technician

As a Recovery Technician, you will learn to operate recovery vehicles and equipment used to recover, tow, lift, winch, and extract damaged or immobilised vehicles. This pathway is highly practical and field-focused, involving heavy vehicles, cranes, towing systems, lifting equipment, and recovery planning.

Training pathway

Initial Recovery Technician course: approximately 6 months

On-the-job experience: approximately 12 months following the course

Certificate and statements attained

TLI40122 – Certificate IV in Specialist Driving Operations

Why Choose an Army Trade Apprenticeship?

Get paid while you train in a structured full-time career pathway.

Gain nationally recognised qualifications linked to real trades.

Learn in a supported environment with instructors, supervisors, and workplace mentors.

Build technical, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Work on equipment and systems not commonly found in standard civilian apprenticeships.

Graduate into a defined Army trade role with further career progression opportunities.

Who This Suits

This pathway may suit you if you are:

Those looking for a practical career Interested in tools, vehicles, electronics, fabrication, electrical systems, or heavy machinery

Motivated to complete both military and trade training

Comfortable working in teams and practical environments Willing to meet Army entry, medical, fitness, and security requirements

Start Your Trade Career with the Army

An Army apprenticeship is more than a training course. It is a paid career pathway that gives you trade skills, Army experience, nationally recognised qualifications, and the opportunity to work in a technical role that matters. Choose your trade. Complete your training. Build a career with purpose.

Contact us via Indeed for a referral to initiate the application process.

Pay: $60,517.00 – $76,079.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Gym membership
• Health insurance
• Housing allowance
• Life insurance
• Maternity leave
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Relocation assistance
• Travel reimbursement

Work Location: In person