» Defence Force Roles

Defence Force Roles

Income

Fees

Job Prospects

Job Prospects... At a glance

Entry into the New Zealand Defence Force is competitive and the training can be demanding, but once you are in, there is a 15-year period of guaranteed service. You get paid while training and wages are generally above average.

How to enter the defence forces

What they do

The primary role of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is to protect New Zealand from security threats and to work with New Zealand’s allies to contribute to global defence. In the course of undertaking its roles,the NZDF is on hand to provide support to emergency services both in NewZealand and overseas. This may include helping those suffering hardship as a result of war or a natural disaster or working with search and rescue teams tofind someone who needs help. The specific duties vary widely between the different trades. Many of the trades are non-combat, but they all ultimately help the NZDF towards their goal of keeping New Zealand safe.

The NZDF employs personnel in over 100 roles, encompassing all jobs from technical and service trades, through to specialist officer and combat trades. The specific duties vary widely between the different trades. Many of the trades are non-combat, but they all ultimately help the NZDF towards their goal of keeping New Zealand safe.

Qualifications

The Defence Force can provide you with information on specific requirements by calling 0800 1 FORCE or on their website www.defencecareers.mil.nz

There is training in the NZDF at all levels, including university, the qualifications you will gain through the NZDF are industry standard.

Cost of study

Defence Force Training
$0

Getting qualifications through the NZDF is free, new recruits are paid during training, and food and accommodation is provided on base.

Sponsored tertiary study programmes are available at all levels.

Where to study

Where you'll do your initial training depends on your chosen trade and Service - on the North Shore in Auckland, if you join the Navy; in Waiouru, in the central North Island, if you join the Army; and in Woodbourne, near Blenheim, if you join the Air Force. Specialist training can happen in any number of bases and places in New Zealand or overseas.

Income and employment prospects

Income

Salaries are competitive and rise in line with your rank and qualifications. On top of that are benefits such as annual leave, subsidised food and accommodation, free medical and dental care and superannuation schemes to help you save for the future. On top of your basic salary you can expect something called Military Factor. This provides you with significant extra financial rewards because of the commitment you are making to your country.

Employment and skill shortages

Defence role employment

There are 6818 uniformed personnel employed by the NZDF, these numbers depend on the Service needs. The NZDF is generally moving towards fewer, more highly trained and specialised servicemen and servicewomen.

If you join the NZDF on a standard engagement, the guaranteed period of service is 15 years, provided you maintain your medical grading and service efficiency.

Where to find job vacancies

Defence force members are recruited directly by the NZDF. See their website for current vacancies.

NZDF, careers: www.defencecareers.mil.nz

Career path

The Defence Force has two main career streams: Officers, and Other Ranks (Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen and Airwomen). Both are available within the main job categories: Combat and Security, Aviation, Officers and Management, Medical and Health, Engineering, Intelligence, IT and Communications, Hospitality, and Logistics and Administration.

Due to career progression and regular posting cycles (normally 2-3 years), you will be changing positions every couple of years so there are always opportunities for new challenges, to gain new skills, and to live and work in different places with different people.

Some jobs and some training incurs a Return of Service Obligation, which generally means once you’ve completed your training you must remain in the Defence Force for a period of time afterwards.

Other information

Links

More information on defence force roles is available on the Careers New Zealand website, through the "Just the Job" videos and on NZDF’s own career website.

Careers New Zealand: www.careers.govt.nz

NZDF, careers: www.defencecareers.mil.nz

Air Force Engineering Officer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSi_wHjx92k

Air Force Logistics Specialist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq65BJNWYXw

Air Force Avionics Technician: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq3bnEOP7P8

Air Force Logistics Officer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fSYI_1mAw4

Air Force Slight Steward: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdd4CiXhgJw

Air Force Force Protection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZEgQAmgHR0

Naval General List Executive (Navigation) Officer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2ILBUcEYCE

Navy Combat Systems Specialist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfu8AZsydBU

Navy Weapons Engineer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NRHuJGxpXA

Navy Marine Technician: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u32BdDOD1ec