Australian Defence Force Academy

Forged from a unique partnership between the ADF and the University of New South Wales, the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) offers world-class degrees undertaken in parallel with cutting edge military and leadership training. 

Forged from a unique partnership between the ADF and the University of New South Wales, the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) offers world-class degrees undertaken in parallel with cutting edge military and leadership training. 

On our Canberra campus, in addition to being expertly trained in the art of leadership and management, you’ll undertake a degree in Arts, Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Science or Technology. 

If accepted to attend ADFA, you will receive a fully-funded tertiary education plus a salary while you study and train. In return for a minimum period of military service, your HELP debt will be covered. 

ADF Gap Year

Spend an exciting 12 months in the Navy, Army, or Air Force, where you’ll get paid for meaningful work while traveling around Australia, gaining skills for life, and making lifelong friends. An ADF Gap Year is a great opportunity to get a feel for military life and to grow and develop in a dynamic, supportive, and people-focused environment. 

Defence University Sponsorship (DUS) 

DUS is a great opportunity for students who are undertaking a degree at an Australian university to apply for an officer role in the Navy, Army or Air Force. 

If accepted for sponsorship, in return for committing to military service on graduation (called a ‘return of service obligation’), you will have your remaining course fees paid and enjoy a salary and many other benefits whilst completing your studies. 

What You Need to Know

Applying for ADFA is a competitive, dual application process that can take up to 12 months. It’s preferable you apply in Year 11, but you can still apply in Year 12 or beyond. 

Gap Year 

To be eligible to apply, you’ll need to be an Australian citizen aged between 18 and 24 on completion of military training (dates vary by job). You’ll also need to have completed Year 12 (subject passes required vary by job) and have passes in Year 10 English and Maths. 

Defence University Sponsorship (DUS) 

To apply for DUS, you must first apply for a job in the ADF and go through the standard application process. Applications for DUS can only be submitted following the completion of at least one semester. 

Degrees & Applications

DEGREES OFFERED

ADFA offers a variety of degrees, all of which lead directly to roles in the Navy, Army or Air Force.

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Computing and Cyber Security
• Bachelor of Engineering
– Aeronautical Engineering
– Civil Engineering
– Electrical Engineering
– Mechanical Engineering
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Technology
– Technology (Aeronautical Engineering)
– Technology (Aviation)

APPLICATIONS

Applying for ADFA is a competitive, dual application process that can take up to 12 months. It’s preferable you apply in Year 11, but you can still apply in Year 12 or beyond.

DEGREES THAT QUALIFY

Any degree that qualifies students for an officer role can qualify for sponsorship. It must be undertaken at an Australian university accredited by the ADF.

• Accounting
• Applied Science in Medical Imaging
• Business
• Dentistry
• Commerce
• Economics
• Engineering (numerous disciplines)
• Environmental Health
• Finance
• Human Resource Management
• Law
• Management
• Medical Science
• Medicine (Ugrad and Pgrad)
• Pharmacy
• Physiotherapy
• Psychology (Honours)

APPLICATIONS

To apply for sponsorship of the degree that you are currently studying, you must first apply for a job in the ADF and go through the standard application process (applying online or at a Recruiting Centre). Applications for DUS can only be submitted following the completion of at least one semester.

* From the point the sponsorship is approved, the ADF will pay the HELP fees up to the Commonwealth Supported Place amount. With double degrees, only the eligible sponsored degree units will be paid for.

Meet Lloyd

Every year the ADF Gap Year Program offers more than 600 young Australians the opportunity to spend 12-months working and experiencing life in the Navy, Army or Air Force. 

Midshipman Lloyd Skinner

For Midshipman Lloyd Skinner the ADF Gap Year Program is a life-changing adventure. 

After graduating from Melbourne Grammar School, Lloyd wasn’t sure what path he should take but knew he wanted to do something real and exciting. When the 19-year-old heard about the ADF Gap Year Program he decided travelling around Australia, while learning new skills, doing meaningful work, and making friends was too good an opportunity to pass up. 

“I wanted to know whether I was suited to the Navy lifestyle before I made a long-term career commitment,” Lloyd said. 

“I also wanted to gain real and recognisable life experiences and skills that would be respected in the civilian world,” he said. 

Lloyd’s Gap Year enables him to earn a good wage while learning about teamwork, professionalism and the life and work of a Navy Officer. 

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