Overseas applicants

The RAAF currently has a labour agreement with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Home Affairs. This enables the RAAF to provide sponsorship of Permanent Residency Visas for those individuals who are recommended for processing for appointment or enlistment.

The purpose of lateral recruitment

The RAAF Lateral Recruitment Program is designed to address capability shortfalls that exist within the RAAF which cannot otherwise be filled with Australian personnel. The program targets qualified and experienced personnel that require minimal/nil conversion training and will fill identified vacancies within future posting cycles. Noting that vacancies change on a regular basis, EOIs are welcomed from applicants who meet the eligibility criteria detailed below. Candidates will only be invited to submit a full application where they are deemed suitable, and their qualifications, experience and potential can be mapped against vacancies.

You must meet the following criteria to apply for Lateral Transfer:

• Current serving member, or separated less than three years ago from a foreign military service
• Have no less than five years’ full time military experience
• Hold qualifications, skills and experience that can be recognised by and directly transferred to the RAAF
• Meet the minimum academic and military educational standards required by the RAAF
• Be less than 48 years of age at the time of visa nomination
• Be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (speaking, reading, writing and listening) as defined on the International English Language Testing System website, www.ielts.org
• Occupation is listed within the Labour Agreement
• Not already be an Australian or dual Australian citizen

To be accepted for Lateral Transfer, you must:

• Obtain an Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Visa from the Department of Home Affairs (you and all accompanying family members will need to meet certain health and character requirements). For more information, submit an Expression of Interest to raaf.lateralrecruitment@defence.gov.au and refer to www.homeaffairs.gov.au
• Be recommended by relevant delegates following Skills Assessment and interviews
• Pass the medical entry standard for the role you are applying for in the Australian Defence Force
• Be able to obtain and hold an appropriate level of ADF security clearance
• Have resigned from your current military service and not be required to perform any Reserve service
• Be eligible and undertake to become an Australian citizen. Further information can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website, www.homeaffairs.gov.au

Please note positions that are able to be offered are restricted to existing vacancies and are subject to the needs of the ADF. Additionally, we do not recruit enlisted personnel to undertake officer roles.

The RAAF has a limited number of recruiting opportunities for overseas applicants. Vacancies for positions change regularly and each EOI will be considered on an individual basis. If you meet all the eligibility requirements and vacancies are available, you will be invited to submit an application pack for further assessment.

Note: Processing time from application to appointment can take between 18-24 months due to Immigration processing timeframes.

• Expression of Interest (EOI)

The PDF below is the required EOI form for you to provide as much detail as possible, both in the Information Fields and your CV. Your CV should focus on your verifiable and transferable military qualifications and experience. The RAAF Lateral Recruitment cell will endeavour to respond to your EOI within eight weeks.

Expression of Interest

• Full Application – Skills Assessment

Your full application will be assessed by RAAF to ascertain your suitability for an Air Force vacancy, based on your qualifications, experience and potential. The key components of the application pack are:

• Military Service Record (Units, Rank, Promotions)
• Annual Performance Appraisal Reports
• Civilian Education Certificates and/or Civilian Trade and Course Certificates. All licenses, certificates and degrees you possess must be recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework
• Proof of English competency be providing either a valid English Language Test showing proof of ‘Competent English’ as defined by the Department of Home Affairs OR a copy of your valid passport, birth certificate or citizenship certificate issued by the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland

• Specialist Interview and Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) Interviews

Two separate interviews will be conducted. The first interview will be with a RAAF specialist from your Mustering/Specialisation. The second interview will be conducted by DMFS with you and your family. This interview will discuss aspects of your personal and family situation, availability of support and general expectations of your potential move to Australia. The reports/assessments from both interviews will be used to ascertain you and your family’s suitability for Lateral Transfer to the RAAF.

• Letter of Offer

If you achieve successful reports following the Specialist and DMFS Interviews, and are allocated a target by the Directorate of Personnel – Air Force, you may be extended a Letter of Offer. This is your formal job offer, which you must either accept or reject within four weeks of the Delegate’s signature. It will specify the conditions of service you are being offered, including rank, pay details, and up to three potential posting locations (unit and state) if applicable.

• Medical Clearance

Once the Letter of Offer has been accepted, you will be required to complete the full medical package. You will need to provide the following documents electronically:

• ADF Medical Entry Questionnaire
• ADF Entry Level Medical Examination Form
• ADF Dental Clinical Record Form
• ADF Eye Examination Form
• Certified copy of your military medical and dental documents

In order to complete these compulsory forms, you will need to undertake medical, dental and optical examinations through your current service or private medical practitioner. Only applicants who satisfy the ADF’s initial medical entry standards can be appointed/enlisted into the RAAF.

• Visa Process

Once your medical fitness has been confirmed, the RAAF Lateral Recruitment cell will sponsor you for a Subclass 186 visa from the Department of Home Affairs. You will then be provided with the Transaction Reference Number (TRN) that allows you to start the visa application process online. Applicants, particularly from the United States, should consider the effect on their citizenship status should they be accepted for transfer to the RAAF and becoming Australian citizens. Department of Home Affairs visa processing can take between four to 12 months.

• Security Clearance

Once you and your family have been granted permanent residency status, the RAAF Lateral Recruitment cell will sponsor you for a security clearance. Applicants must obtain an appropriate security clearance (minimum Negative Vetting 1/'Secret') before appointment or enlistment. Australian security arrangements require that applicants have a checkable background of at least ten years, which can be directly verified by the Defence Security Agency. Current international agreements permit verification of applicants who have been living in Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States. Applicants from other countries require more specific and lengthy vetting procedures, which may preclude their appointment being considered. Security clearance processing can take between three to six months.

• Resignation from Current Service

Applicants must have resigned from their parent Service (including release from all Reserve Service obligations) before appointment. Applicants cannot be appointed whilst on terminal leave. Proof of discharge will be required prior to an appointment signal being released.

Australian Embassies, High Commission staff and individuals outside of the RAAF Lateral Recruitment cell do not have an active role in the Overseas Lateral Recruitment application process. You should address any questions or correspondence to the RAAF Lateral Recruitment cell, via email: raaf.lateralrecruitment@defence.gov.au.

Officers and General Entry candidates will be assessed on a number of requirements including security, medical, family/social considerations and military background. The following requirements must be met to satisfy entry into Australia under the Labour Agreement:

Officers

To be eligible for sponsorship for immigration purposes, an applicant for a position as an Officer must:

Possess a qualification equivalent to an AQF bachelor degree (or higher level qualification) requiring a minimum of three years full-time study in an appropriate discipline.

OR

Possess experience and/or training that can be readily assessed by DIAC to be equivalent to an Australian post-secondary qualification requiring at least three years full-time study.

AND

Possess a minimum of three years relevant post-qualification experience in work of the kind to be performed in the position.

AND

Be assessed as having a minimum of vocational proficiency in English (as defined in the Migration Regulation 1.15B).

Airmen / Airwomen

To be eligible for sponsorship for immigration purposes, an applicant for an Airmen / Airwomen position will:

Possess a qualification equivalent to an AQF bachelor degree (or higher level qualification) requiring a minimum of three years full-time study in an appropriate discipline.

OR

Possess experience and/or training that can be readily assessed by DIAC to be equivalent to an Australian post-secondary qualification requiring at least three years full-time study.

OR

Have completed relevant specialist Defence Force training courses and experience equivalent to at least three years full-time study (following the completion of education equivalent to an Australian Secondary School certificate (Year 10).

AND

Be assessed as having a minimum of vocational proficiency in English (as defined in the Migration Regulation 1.15B).

Education documentation

If a formal application is invited, copies of relevant educational and trade documentation are normally required. All overseas qualifications submitted must be accompanied by an assessment of Australian equivalencies. This is to be undertaken at the applicant's cost.

Qualifications recognition

Australian Education International (AEI), through the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR), provides official information and advice on the comparability of overseas qualifications with Australian qualifications. This aims to help overseas qualified people work and study in Australia.

AEI is part of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). AEI uniquely integrates the development of international government relations with support for the commercial activities of Australia's education community. To do this, AEI liaises with all sectors of the education and training industry and all levels of government.

AEI-NOOSR does not assess secondary school qualifications (these are normally assessed by State/Territory education authorities) or trade qualifications (which can be assessed by Trades Recognition Australia).

For further information about the services of AEI-NOOSR, as well as links to other assessing agencies, please refer to the AEI website.

Immigration

Applicants, particularly from the US, should consider the effect on their citizenship status should they be accepted for transfer to the RAAF and become Australian citizens.

The RAAF currently has a labour agreement to permit sponsorship of visas for those individuals who are recommended for processing for appointment or enlistment. Those applicants approved for sponsorship are responsible for obtaining a permanent resident visa. The applicant and each dependent family member must hold a permanent resident visa before appointment.

Additionally, applicants must make a written undertaking that they will apply for Australian citizenship as soon as they are eligible (normally after three months service in the Permanent Air Force). For information on accelerated citizenship for families of Defence Overseas Lateral Recruits, please refer to this document.

Resignation

Applicants must have resigned from their parent Service (including release from all Reserve Service obligations) before appointment. Applicants cannot be appointed whilst on terminal leave. Proof of discharge will be required prior to an appointment signal being released.

Security

Applicants must obtain an appropriate Australian Defence Force (ADF) security clearance (minimum Negative Vetting 1/ 'Secret') before appointment or enlistment. Australian security arrangements require that applicants have a background of at least 10 years, which can be directly verified by the Defence Security Agency. Current international agreements permit verification of applicants who have been living in Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States.

Contacts

Lateral Recruitment
BP29-01-090
Brindabella Park
Canberra ACT 2609
raaf.lateralrecruitment@defence.gov.au