Defence serves up a whole menu of healthy career options, all with a hearty helping of STEM
If you’re after a career that cares, hopping on a Defence + Health path could be the right move for you. A health gig in Defence comes with stacks of exciting opportunities – from sorting nutritional needs to supporting mental health! You can also be involved in important research through DSTG. They’re currently looking at how human factors (like decision-making, nutrition, sensory processing and stress) can impact on the effectiveness of soldiers in the military and conducting research on how gut health affects the performance of ADF members.
In the ADF, you could travel overseas as a nurse or doctor to care for ADF members on deployment, as well as to help communities in need. For example, as an environmental health assistant for the Army, you’ll receive military training and work to prevent disease and non-battle injuries in the field and in barracks.
Want to be a radiographer for the Air Force? You could get the chance to complete postgraduate ultrasound training through Defence-sponsored studies. And there’s perks for Navy medics too. They can take on further medical training in underwater medicine and clinical management.
You’ll love a health career in Defence if you want to…
✔ Make a difference by keeping ADF members fighting fit
✔ Have lots of opportunities to grow your skill set through training and development programs
✔ Contribute to humanitarian, combat and disaster-relief operations
✔ Work in an exciting and challenging environment
Making a difference
Here are 5 health jobs where using STEM can help our Defence orgs!
1. Nutrition scientist
These STEM professionals are specialists in meeting the nutritional needs of serving ADF members.
2. Nurse
Nurses usually work in deployable health units and/or field hospitals, providing immediate healthcare.
3. Ophthalmologist
Preventing, treating and helping with injuries and disease is all in a day’s work for these eye experts.
4. Radiographer
They produce X-rays and other medical imaging services during ADF exercises and deployments.
5. Human performance scientist
The Human Performance Research network (HPRnet), works to enhance the physical and mental performance of Defence personnel.
Good news
If you’ve applied for a job in the Navy, Army or Air Force and are studying to become one of the following, you can apply for a Defence University Sponsorship.
- Dentist
- Doctor
- Environmental Health Manager
- Medical Scientist (Pathology)
- Nurse
- Psychologist
- Radiographer
- Pharmacist
- Physiotherapist
Score a scholarship and the ADF will pay you to complete your degree AND pay your remaining fees! Find out more here.
Start your career here
Defence + Health and Nutrition Study
- Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine
- Bachelor of Nutrition Science
- Dental Assistants Course, Australian Defence Force Dental School
- Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing
- Preventive Medicine Basic Course, Army Logistics Training Centre
Defence + Health and Nutrition Jobs
- Psychologist: Average salary $95,166
- Nurse: Average salary $87,989
- Health Scientist: APS Level 3, $59,237–$65,270
- Biotechnologist: APS Level 3, $59,237–$65,270
Salaries are average incomes according to: defencejobs.gov.au and defencecareers.nga.net.au. Roles and remuneration averages vary depending on qualifications and being a trained, uniformed member of Defence or a civilian employee.
This article was originally published in the special edition of Careers with STEM: Defence.
