Experience life at the forefront of the Army, spending an action-packed 12-months training and operating in a highly skilled combat team.

Immerse yourself in this action-packed experience while on an Army Combat Gap Year and gain skills for life in one of three Army Combat roles. From the moment you start your experience, you’ll be trained to be part of a highly skilled team to handle any situation and keep the Army moving.

You will be supported throughout your training by our professional and enthusiastic Army personnel who will provide the guidance necessary for you to get the most out of this experience. Your training will begin at Kapooka in Wagga Wagga, NSW, where you’ll complete 80 days of recruit training. Training will involve physical training, weapon handling and shooting, first aid, drill and field craft. It’s challenging, but it will prepare you for anything.

One you complete your initial military training, you’ll grow your skills and expertise in one of the following roles:

• Infantry Soldier where you’ll form part of an Infantry combat team and be armed with advanced weapons and equipment. Learn more about Infantry Soldier here.
• Artillery Operator where you’ll operate artillery weapons and provide vital artillery support to Army combat operations. Learn more about Artillery Operator here
• Combat Engineer where you’ll learn about military field engineering and gain skills in bridge-building, minefield clearance, field defence construction and demolition. Learn more about Combat Engineer here.

Once you’re finished your training, you’ll join a highly skilled combat team in a variety of exercises while having the opportunity to travel, gain life and work experience and make friends that could last a lifetime.

So, what happens next? After finishing your Gap Year program, you can choose to continue your career in the Army, or use the skills and experiences to gain an edge in future careers. There’s no obligation to serve beyond the one-year program period.

Salary & Allowances

In the Army you'll get paid a good salary from day one regardless of your age, experience or qualifications; and your pay increases as you progress through training.

In addition to your salary you'll receive a variety of allowances, extra pay for relevant qualifications – plus 16.4% superannuation, a far higher rate than you're likely to find in the civilian world.

When you first join the Army you’ll earn the following annual equivalent salary package - $51,277. This will increase as you complete various stages of training, until you reach the ‘salary once trained’ figure - which could take roughly 3 to 12 months. Training times vary.

On completion of your initial military training and initial employment training, you could earn a salary with an annual equivalent of $69,660.

• Salaries continue to increase based on your rank and years of service
• Salary correct as of Nov 2021
• Please note that salary information is routinely reviewed for all roles on the Defence Jobs website. Please speak directly with a Defence Force Recruiter for more information.

For more details download our Salary Scales.

Locations

Combat Gap Year soldiers will conduct their recruit course at Kapooka NSW before moving to a second training location to conduct trade training at Singleton, NSW, Holsworthy NSW or Puckapunyal VIC. Once trained in a combat role, the Brigades one can be posted to include 1st Brigade (Darwin/Adelaide), 3rd Brigade (Townsville) and 7th Brigade (Brisbane). You can expect to find out where you will be posted during your trade training at the school you’ve been allocated to.

Service Benefits

• A good work/life balance
• Excellent leisure facilities
• Medical and dental cover
• Job security
• Advanced technology
• World-class education and training

 Click here for more info.