The Part Time Of Your Life

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Imagine doing a part-time job you actually enjoy. A job that's both worthwhile to you and important to the community... a job that you're doing not just for the money.

Well, the Army Reserve is such a job.

Most people you talk to in the Reserves will tell you that although they earn a substantial sum from their Reserves job, that's not the reason they're involved. It's a great testament to the rewarding nature of a job in the Army Reserves.

It offers you the chance to get involved in exciting outdoor activities, work in a strong team atmosphere, train on high-tech equipment, build up personal skills, make great friends, have fun, and get fit while you do it.

It's for those reasons that around 17,000 Australians are part of the Army Reserve.

What is Reserve Army ?

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For years, the Army Reserve has played a vital role in protecting the security of Australia. The Army Reserve trains and works right alongside the full-time Army. They work in much the same fields and also specialised areas not covered in the full-time Army.

As an Army Reservist you may even have the chance, should you wish, to be involved in overseas service.

To take a recent example, Army Reserve soldiers have served and are serving on operations in Timor, Solomon Island, Malaysia, Afganistan and cIraq.

OK, you say, you still haven't answered the question... what's the difference?

Army Reserve is Part Time

The big difference is the Army Reserve is part-time. In fact you can work as few as 14 days to as many as 100 days a year.

Most people attend one night a week (usually Tuesday) and one weekend a month.

They also attend two-week continuous training once a year. With the Army Reserve there is normally a work arrangement to fit in with the rest of your life.

Army Reserve is Flexible

We realise there will inevitably be times when your Reserves activities will clash with other work, study, social, sporting, or family commitments. If, for example, you have exams or have to play in the local football final, it's possible to organise time off with your supervisor. The Army Reserve will try to work with you so you can continue to enjoy the life you lead now, as well as enjoy the opportunities and benefits the Army Reserve has to offer.

Army Reserve is Local

While it's true you may get the chance to travel with the Reserves, the majority of Army Reservists join for precisely the opposite reasons - the Army Reserve is a great way to experience Army life without working far from home.

In most cases, you'll find an Army Reserve unit close by in your local community.

Jobs in Your Local Unit

There are many different jobs available in the Army Reserve - jobs ranging from clerical and administrative roles to technical jobs like engineering or medicine, through to combat roles like infantry and artillery.

It's important to remember that the jobs available to you vary depending on where you live, and what type of units are in your area.

Find out what jobs are available in your local area by clicking on the 13 Brigade Units listed below:

13 Brigade Units

The links below will take you to units within 13 Brigade.

11/28 Battalion, Royal Western Australian Regiment
16 Battalion, Royal Western Australian Regiment
13 Combat Services Support Battalion
7 Field Battery
A Squadron 10 Light Horse Regiment
13 Field Squadron
109 Signals Squadron

Pay and Benefits

Tax free pay and a flexible working arrangement means this really is a second job worth having. And you can take the skills you gain in training back into the civilian world.


Tax free pay
Army Reserve salaries and allowances are all tax free and don't effect Centrelink payments. This is a significant benefit as in most other industries you would be taxed for your second job and lose a big part of that salary. Reservists are paid for each day attended, which is six hours or more, or half a day's pay for between three and six hours.

Benefits
The most significant benefit is the flexibility of your hours, the fact that you can usually organise time off so you don't miss any important family or social events. We know how important this is to all our reservists.

You receive free accommodation and meals whenever you are out training or completing exercises. Your uniform and equipment are free which includes cooking equipment, wet weather gear, a sleeping bag and backpack. Any travel undertaken for initial or employment training is paid for. After a period of service you will also become eligible for assistance in paying for your home by means of a subsidy towards your mortgage.

Employer Support Payment

The Employer Support Payment (ESP) Scheme provides financial assistance to eligible employers to help offset the costs of releasing employees for service in the Army Reserves.

Protecting your civilian job
This scheme is about allowing reservists to protect their civilian jobs and also to compensate the employers who release them for part-time duty to the Army. It benefits everyone. Employers have better trained and motivated employees, with skills and values to give their business an edge. The Army gains and retains trained and committed reservists. And you get to keep your job whilst fulfilling your ambition of serving in the Army.

The Employer Support Payment Scheme (ESP)
ESP is paid at a weekly rate regardless of the employee's salary, and there are no restrictions on the way in which employers can use the money. Higher level payments may be authorised in the case of substantial financial hardship or loss or capability related Chief of Defence (CDF) approvals.

The ESP Scheme is administered by the Directorate of the Employer Support Payment Scheme. For more information on the ESP Scheme, please visit www.defence.gov.au/reserves.

Defence Reserves Support
Defence Jobs - Reserves