Statistics
Q: How many women currently participate in the Australian Defence Force?
A: As at 1 October 2011, 8,006 women make up 13.8 percent of the permanent full-time ADF:
- 18.6 percent in Navy
- 10.1 percent in Army, and
- 17 percent in Air Force.
Q: How many women are in senior positions?
A: As at 1 October 2011, women held 6.8% of the Colonel equivalent and above ranks in the ADF.
Q: Can women serve in direct combat positions?
A: The Australian Government, with the full support of Chief of the Defence Force and the Service Chiefs, has formally agreed to the removal of gender restrictions from Australian Defence Force (ADF) combat roles.
Women in the ADF will soon be able to work in any position in which they have the ability to meet all of the demands of the role. This includes the previously restricted roles of Clearance Divers and Mine Clearance Diver Officers in the Navy; Airfield Defence Guards and Ground Defence Officers in the Air Force; and Infantry and Armoured Corps and some Artillery roles in the Army.
Facilitating this change will take time. Defence is working to deliver a comprehensive implementation plan for the integration of women into combat roles for Government’s consideration in the first quarter of next year; a plan which Defence will put into effect over a five year period.
Q: How many ADF jobs can women participate in?
A: All employment categories will be opened up to women within the next five years. This will ensure that career choices will only be restricted by an individual’s ability to meet all the demands of the role, not on the basis of their gender.
Operations
Q: Can women be deployed to international operations?
A: As at 1 August 2011 there are 335 women serving on current overseas ADF operations representing more than 10 per cent of the total deployed force.
Women in ADF Jobs:
Click here for Career opportunities for Women in the Australian Defence Force (ADF)
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