FAQs

Depending on which scholarship scheme you are studying under, you may be required to wear uniform when attending lectures, tutorials and other formal occasions like graduation.

At any point in your career, if you are attending workshops, courses or lectures in a professional capacity then you will most likely be expected to wear uniform, but this will be up to command or personal discretion.

Regardless of your trade and service, you will gain valuable skills and experience that are desired by civilian employers. For some technical trades, you will gain qualifications that are widely recognised in New Zealand and around the world.

The opportunity for transfer exists, however this process is not managed by Defence Careers. If you wish to transfer from the Reserve Force to the Regular Force, you must submit an application through your chain of command.

Yes, the Volunteers Employment Protection Act 1973 allows Reserve Forces personnel to perform their military duties without risking their normal employment and entitlements.

No. Military Leave provisions under the Volunteers Employment Protection Act 1973 does not require employers to pay employees on Military Leave. If you use your annual leave for military training and exercises, then your employer will have to pay you.

Please go to our Apply Now page. You need to register to create an account and you can then start your application. Click ‘yes’ to NZ military experience and we’ll ask you for a couple of easy details, such as your service number, and your application will then be ready to submit.

Yes. When in the field, on operations, or at sea for more than a 24 hour period, an additional allowance is paid.

You will not be charged for the barrack accommodation the NZDF requires you to live in during recruit training. When eating on base at the mess or galley, you will be charged for meals (total approximately $15.00 per day and are taken out of your pay cheque). When training in the field or on ship, meals will be provided free of charge.

Yes. Your previous experience will be reviewed against what you are applying for and you may be credited some course requirements. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis and it may also be decided that you need to start again in your new service or trade alongside new recruits.

The NZDF no longer has it's own superannuation scheme, but instead offers recruits the option to join Kiwisaver. The NZDF pays an employer contribution of 3% on top of your own 4% contribution.

From 14 January 2021, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) shifted to the new online system changing the way the NZDF administers the aptitude tests.

Candidates will also need to pass an RFL before re-enlisting in the Army, and the Navy and Air Force will require you to pass their fitness tests shortly after you’re back in uniform (usually on the day of enlistment for the Navy and within three months for the Air Force).

This will vary depending on how long you have been out of the NZDF and whether you have had any medical treatment since leaving. We may require additional information from your civilian GP and the sooner you provide this, the sooner our military doctors can review your medical file. A decision on your medical clearance is usually made within a week as long as we have all the information we need from you.

Every case is different. Please contact 0800 1 FORCE (0800 136 723) to discuss.

All trades in the NZDF are accessible to women. Some combat roles (NZSAS, Commando, and Diver) have extremely high selection and training standards in regards to physical fitness. These standards are the same for men and woman, making it very difficult for women and most men to access these trades.

Yes. Access to courses and promotion are based on performance and course availability and do not prejudice any gender. There are multiple women in senior staff/leadership roles.

Most NZ students attend state funded schools. If a state funded school is at risk of overcrowding, it can set a ‘home zone’ that is geographically defined. Students living in this zone have the right to go to that school. Full information on the NZ school system can be found at minedu.govt.nz.

This is a personal choice. We strongly recommend that you do your own research including a comparison of the cost of purchasing furniture in NZ against the cost of transporting your furniture from overseas.

Yes. The Offer of Service will state what NZDF courses you will be required to do upon arrival in New Zealand, and what rank and seniority you will hold in the NZDF. It is not possible to renegotiate these conditions after you arrive in New Zealand.

The minimum entry requirement for the NZDF is at least 10 credits at NCEA Level 1 in both English and Mathematics. However, some trades require a higher level of education. The minimum criteria for each trade can be found on the trade pages on this website.

Most careers in the NZDF require you to be 17 years old prior to your recruit course. Some careers in the NZDF have a higher age limit. You can register on this website at any age, but can only submit an application from the age of 16.5.