Work Experience

Why not visit your local Army band and check out the great workplace environment yourself?

Contact Us

Enlistment Procedures

  • Contact Defence Force Recruiting 131901, the Defence Force School of Music or local Army Band (see band contact list) to obtain recruiting information
  • Organise interview/ audition with an AABC Music Director directly or via Defence Force Recruiting
  • Upon successful completion of the audition you will be advised which avenue of entry is suitable for you
  • Contact Defence Recruiting to lodge an application form and to arrange for further ADF aptitude and medical testing (This may involve many weeks/months to finalise)
  • Defence Force Recruiting will advise you of examination results and offer recruit training
  • Attend training at Army Recruit Training Centre (ARTC), Kapooka, Wagga Wagga NSW
  • Qualified Entry Induction Training Army Technical & Trade Scheme (DFSM - 6 weeks)
  • Unqualified Entry (DFSM - self paced up to 15 months)

Military Training

All General Entry recruits into the Australian Army are required to complete the Recruit Course at the Army Recruit Training Centre.
Total Duration:
Full-time - 80 days
Part-time - 28 days
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW.

When you have completed basic recruit training you will have reached the standard of a basic soldier. You will have developed the qualities and acquired the knowledge, skills and attitudes which are necessary to progress further in the Army.

For more details on recruit training, refer to the Joining instructions. These instructions will provide you and your family with enough information to arrange your personal affairs before enlistment in the Army and to give you an idea of what you will be doing on the
recruit course.

During Military (Initial Recruit) Training and (Initial) Employment Training, members may be required to pay a contribution towards meals, accommodation and utilities.



Performing in Vanuatu


Performing in China


Performing Bagpipes in East Timor

How do I apply?

FULL-TIME
There are two avenues of entry into the Australian Army Band Corps:

1. Qualified Entry
2. Unqualified Entry, Army Technical and Trade Scheme (ATTS)

All applicants to the AABC are required to pass an audition conducted by an AABC Trade Testing Officer, in addition to meeting all other ADF enlistment criteria.

Applicants are required to perform their instrument to a very high standard, with the majority of musicians being diploma or degree qualified and having extensive performance experience. All qualifications aside, a high level of sight reading ability and musicianship is what the AABC is seeking.

A Musician applying for entry into the AABC who is not yet at the standard required to enter via Qualified Entry may be selected to study at the Defence Force School of Music (DFSM) as a trainee musician [Unqualified Entry] through the Army Technical and Trade Scheme (ATTS).

As a guide, the performance entry level to Qualified Entry is comparable to the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) Associate Diploma level (Initial term of employment for Qualified Entry being 3 years), whereas the performance entry level to ATTS is comparable to AMEB Grade 7 (ATTS initial term of employment being 6 years).
You can also be a part-time musician in a full-time band.

PART-TIME
If you are unable to commit to a full-time job in the Australian Army Band Corps, then a part-time position may be the way to go. Army Reserve bands offer musicians the chance to work in a similar environment to that of a full-time AABC unit. The part-time nature of the reserve bands is ideal for people who are studying, have just finished school or who are looking for a part-time job in the music industry.

Enlistment criteria for the Army Reserve (part-time) is the same as for the Regular Army (full-time). Personnel are required to complete recruit training at Kapooka in NSW, however this training is considerably shorter than that required of a full-time soldier, and may be deferred for up to six months after enlistment. Any ongoing musicianship training is conducted in the Unit location, rather than at the Defence Force School of Music in Melbourne.

Benefits offered to reserve musicians include professional instruments, uniforms, and some meal and travel allowances where applicable. Army Reserve pay is taxfree and does not affect unemployment benefits, Austudy or other incomes.
There are also part-time employment opportunities available in all full-time bands.