Group
Occupation
149231 Commissioned Defence Force Officer
Latest release
Consultation draft: Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)
Reference period
August 2026
Released
17/08/2026
First release
149231 Commissioned Defence Force Officer
Provides high level management to support the running of an organisational unit within the Australian Defence Force.
This occupation includes the following ranks:
- Navy: Commander, Lieutenant Commander, Lieutenant, Sub Lieutenant, Acting Sub Lieutenant, Midshipman
- Army: Lieutenant Colonel, Major, Captain, Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant, Officer Cadet
- Air Force: Wing Commander, Squadron Leader, Flight Lieutenant, Flying Officer, Pilot Officer, Officer Cadet.
Commissioned Defence Force Officers performing duties for which there is a civilian equivalent are excluded from this occupation. These officers are included with the civilian occupation, for example, nursing officers are included in Occupation 265499 Registered Nurses nec.
Specialisations
- Artillery Officer (Army)
- General Service Officer (Army)
- Infantry Officer (Army)
- Military Police Officer
Skill level: 1
Main tasks
- Establishes administrative and operational procedures by considering the operating environment of the Defence Force
- Makes policy decisions and accepts responsibility for Defence operations, staff performance and achievement of targets, and adheres to budgets, standards and procedures
- Establishes lines of control and delegates responsibilities to subordinate Defence Force staff
- Coordinates and facilitates the development of strategic plans and objectives for organisational units within the Defence Force
- Liaises with other officers and external stakeholders to coordinate activities and achieve objectives
- Represents the Defence Force at unit meetings, briefings and other official engagements