Financial Benefits

How much will I be paid in the ADF?

Defence pays it's personnel well, but not only do you get a great wage you also get other great benefits.

Pay rates vary depending on the job you take. Listed below are the approximate salaries and allowances for your employment (not including compulsory deductions for taxation; meals, accommodation and utilities [as applicable] and superannuation).

For further information on salaries please contact the Defencetrades team on 1300 657 925.

Entry Qualifications

Military Training

(recruit)

First 3 Months

Employment Training

(Trade theory)

Dependent on trade

4 to 24 Months

On completion of

Employment Training

Apprenticeships/Traineeships

(Dependent upon trade)

$38,000

$43,000 to $47,000

$55,600 to $61,700

Qualified Trades People

(Dependent upon trade/service)

$38,000 to $43,800

$43,000 to $47,000

$55,600 to $57,400

Pay rates are per annum

* Includes Base Salary & Trainee allowance.

** Includes Base Salary plus Service & Uniform allowances.

Please note that the figures above do not include compulsory deductions for taxation, meals, accommodation and utilities (as applicable); or 18% superannuation.

Superannuation scheme

You automatically become a member of the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS) on entry. Employer Contributions are 9% (on top of salaries detailed above) and employee contributions are normally set at 5 per cent of salary, however you can elect to salary sacrifice up to 10%. The MSBS provides a range of members' benefits, spouse benefits and invalidity benefits.

Do I pay tax?

Yes. Full time Defence personnel are required to pay income tax at the standard rates.

Accommodation and Meals

Initial Military (Recruit) Training

Trainees who are single are not required to pay for accommodation, but are required to pay a contribution of approximately $65 per week for meals and approximately $11.00 per week for utilities.

Trainees who are married or in a service-recognised interdependent relationship, who have been categorised Members with Dependants Unaccompanied (MWD(U)), are not required to pay for accommodation, meals or utilities.

Initial Employment (Trade) Training

Single trainees are required to pay a contribution for accommodation, which varies from approximately $35 to $70 per week depending on sharing arrangements, a contribution of approximately $65 per week for meals and $11.00 per week for utilities.