Technician Electronic Systems provide material maintenance and modification to a large range of in-service Army equipment that includes radios, optical instruments, navigational aids, laser range finding equipment, medical and dental equipment, electro-optical / electro-hydraulic / electro-mechanical systems, radar systems, electronic vehicle control systems and electronic surveillance and detection systems.

Duties

• Servicing, repairing, modifying, testing and rebuilding all types of in service optical, fire control and general electronic equipment and their associated electronic sub-assemblies and components.
• Locating and applying technical information.
• Operating and maintaining test equipment and specialist test equipment.
• Facilitating the repair process and assist in fault diagnosis.
• Providing technical advice.
• Inspection and classification of equipment.

Educational Requirement

Completion of Australian Year 10 education (or equivalent) with passes in English, Mathematics, Science (with a Physics content) and one other subject.

These entry qualifications are the minimum required to facilitate understanding of the engineering principles encountered during later phases of training.

Note: Australian Year 10 or less for Consumer Mathematics, Mathematics in Society and similarly 'modified' Mathematics are not suitable for entry to the Army Technical and Trade Scheme

Employment Training

Qualified Trade Entry:

Completion, in the relevant Electronic trade, of an approved apprenticeship or an approved traineeship at a recognised training institution and any period of full-time employment stipulated for that trade. A certificate III in Engineering - Electronics and Communications will provide suitable evidence for entry into this stream.

Unqualified Trade Entry:

Technician Electronic Systems Course: 24 months

On-the-Job Training (OJT): 12 months.

Initial trade training is conducted at the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, which is located within the Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC) at Bandiana in Victoria. The courses and competencies attained by a Technician Electronic Systems are gained through successful completion of the Technician Electronic Systems Course. This course is a 24 month course, which gives the trainees a thorough knowledge of electrical theory and maintenance techniques applicable to electronic instrument, communication and weapons systems used by the Australian Defence Force.

This training is followed by a one year posting to an ALTC detachment location in Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville or Darwin in order to complete OJT. On completion of OJT the soldier is posted to a unit as a qualified Technician Electronic Systems and is able to attend specialist trade courses.

Recognition for Qualified Trade Entry:

Applicants that already possess an Electronics trade will be informed of their employment training requirements once ALTC has mapped their trade qualifications and identified the Army specific competencies or any identified shortfalls that are required. After the required training is complete the applicant will commence any required OJT that is identified.

Specialist Trade Training:

After the competition of OJT the Technician Electronic Systems may be nominated to attend Specialist Trade Training. This training will depend on unit requirements and available course positions. The Specialist Trade courses are as follows:

• Abrams Tank Control Systems Maintenance.
• ASLAV Phase III Control Systems Maintenance.
• Australian Defence Force Calibration Technician.
• AMSTAR Ground Surveillance Radar Medium Grade Maintenance.
• Bio-Medical Equipment Maintenance.
• AN/TPQ36 Radar Maintenance.
• RBS-70 Maintenance.

Employment Location

Postings range from large Combat Service Support Battalions (CSSB) located in Brisbane, Darwin and Townsville to small technical support platoons and squadrons located throughout Australia.

Pay

The pay levels for ARA and ARES personnel in this employment are:

• Technician Electronic System Grade 1 CFN Pay Group 3.
• Technician Electronic System Grade 2 CFN Pay Group 4.
• Technician Electronic System Grade 3 CFN Pay Group 4.
• Technician Electronic System Grade 4 CFN Pay Group 5.
• Technician Electronic System Specialist CFN Pay Group 6.
• Technician Electronic System Advanced Grade 1 CPL Pay Group 5.
• Technician Electronic System Advanced Grade 2 CPL Pay Group 6.
• Technician Electronic System Supervisor Grade 1 SGT Pay Group 5.
• Technician Electronic System Supervisor Grade 2 SGT Pay Group 6.