Discover your veteran career after serving in the Australian Defence Force. Our Veteran Pathway and Support Program for veterans and current serving military personnel supports your military to civilian transition.
Whether you're currently serving or have served in the Australian Defence Force, adjusting to civilian life after military service can be a challenging journey, and we're here to help.
From pathways and direct entry courses to veteran support services, our program offers everything you need to discover a meaningful career.
You can use your relevant ADF experience, along with applicable professional development and training, to seek entry and apply for credit (recognition of prior learning).
Credit may also be derived from your ADF rank, reflecting the level and standard of professional knowledge, leadership, and responsibility associated with that rank.
Depending on the course you apply for and the specific ADF training you have undertaken, this credit may be awarded as electives, specific subjects or a combination of both. This also includes unspecified credit, which can be granted for previous ADF study or experience that may not directly match a particular unit but is assessed as equivalent in level and standard.
Credit varies by course, so please check individual course pages for specific eligibility and credit details.
All credit applications are assessed individually, and recognised experience may reduce the time needed to complete your degree.
Unspecified credit
| Military rank | Unspecified credit* |
|---|---|
| Officer | 8 subjects unspecified credit |
| Army: Warrant Officer Class 2 Navy: Chief Petty Officer Air Force: Flight Sergeant | 6 subjects unspecified credit |
| Army: Sergeant Navy: Petty Officer Air Force: Sergeant | 4 subjects unspecified credit |
| Army: Private – Corporal Navy: Seaman – Leading Seaman Air Force: Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman – Corporal | 2 subjects unspecified credit |
As a veteran or currently serving, you can access three dedicated support streams.
Our experience matters program recognises the value of your military experience by providing a direct entry pathway for veterans and serving members. Even if you don't have an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank), your military rank, qualifications and length of service can be used to determine an equivalent entry score.
An ATAR of 73 opens the door to a broad selection of our programs, with nearly 50 undergraduate degrees to choose from.
Direct entry
| Military rank | 1–3 years experience | 3+ years experience |
|---|---|---|
| Army: Sergeant and above Navy: Petty Officer and above Air Force: Sergeant and above | 83 | 92 |
| Army: Private – Corporal Navy: Seaman – Leading Seaman Air Force: Aircraftman/Aircraftwomen – Corporal | 73 | 75 |
Please note: You'll still need to meet any course-specific entry requirements and English language proficiency requirements. You can find out more by checking out our online course brochures or get in touch to discuss your qualifications and study options.
We offer courses in:
Explore our full range of courses or get in touch to discuss your options.
Your Australian Defence Force skills and knowledge are highly valued. You can earn credit for your previous studies and work experience gained during your military service. This could include trade qualifications, certificates or even a complete or partially completed undergraduate degree.
Whether you've undergone formal training or acquired practical experience, we ensure your efforts are recognised. Contact us to discuss how much time and money you could save. Below is a guide.
Bachelor of Adult Vocational Education
Are you a current or former workplace trainer or assessor? Become a teacher within your specialisation in the adult learning environment, such as TAFE. With credit, you could save time and graduate sooner.
This course offers flexible study options and the chance to build on existing leadership, teamwork and problem‑solving skills gained through service. With eligible credit for prior learning, you can significantly reduce your study duration and graduate sooner
Bachelor of Education (Secondary) – Industry Entry
If you have a defence trade and have served a minimum of seven years, you could reduce your study time by up to one-third of your degree. Graduate as a secondary school teacher specialising in your trade.
Bachelor of Educational Studies
Pair this course with our Master of Teaching (Primary) or Master of Teaching (Secondary) to become an accredited primary or secondary school teacher. These programs usually take four years of full-time study to complete. However, if you have relevant vocational or university study and work experience, you can graduate in as little as two years.
Bachelor of Emergency Management
Building on ADF‑developed crisis‑response and leadership skills, this course provides practical training for emergency and disaster management roles. With eligible credit, you could save time and graduate sooner.
Bachelor of Geospatial Science
This course builds on ADF‑developed problem‑solving and spatial awareness skills while providing practical, hands‑on training in GIS, remote sensing and geospatial analysis. Its flexible online study mode supports an easy transition into civilian careers, and credit pathways may shorten study time.
Bachelor of Health and Medical Science
This degree opens doors to diverse health and science careers where your veteran practical experience and strong teamwork skills are highly valued. With eligible credit, you may be able to reduce your study time and graduate sooner.
Bachelor of Information Technology
Our IT degree suits veterans by building on your problem‑solving and technical aptitude while offering practical skills in software development, cybersecurity and network engineering. Its flexible online study options support an easy transition. With eligible credit, you may shorten your study time and graduate sooner.
Bachelor of Nuclear Science and Safety
Veterans draw on their experience with structured environments, risk management and safety-focused operations. With credit, you could save time and graduate sooner.
If you have previously completed a Diploma of Nursing (with AHPRA registration), you will be eligible for credit. Become a registered nurse. You could work in public and private hospitals, health facilities, community health centres, defence forces, primary and secondary industries, insurance companies, mental health services or workplace health and safety organisations.
Graduate Certificate in Adult Vocational Education
If you have previously completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, you could be eligible for credit. Our graduate certificate will further develop your teaching practice in adult and vocational education.
Graduate Certificate of Intelligence Analysis
Ready for your next mission? This course builds on your defence background and equips you with the critical thinking and analytical skills, preparing you for success in the fast-growing intelligence field – whether you're already in the profession or ready to transition into it.
Graduate Certificate in Terrorism and Security Studies
Designed with industry experts, this course deepens your understanding of terrorism and security threats – past and present – and equips you to assess risks, evaluate counterterrorism strategies, and shape policy responses with confidence. Whether you're continuing in defence or transitioning into government or private security roles, you'll gain the critical skills to make informed, strategic decisions in a rapidly changing threat environment.
Our list of ADF-mapped courses continues to grow. In the meantime, you can explore our full range of courses or get in touch to discuss your options.
Transitioning from ADF to civilian life can be both exciting and challenging. While you take steps towards the next chapter of your career, we're here to help make your journey that little bit easier.
Academic support: Access tutoring, study skills workshops and academic writing assistance to excel in your studies.
Career and skills support: Looking for the right veteran career services? Let the Careers and Skills team help you get ready for veteran employment. You'll find support for job applications, interview preparation, skill development, leadership skills, mentoring and industry engagement. Book an appointment with a careers and skills adviser, jump into an on-demand workshop, or access the 24/7 Careers Portal to support your transition to civilian life.
Mentoring: From the moment you start studying to preparing for your transition into the workforce, our mentors are here to guide and support you. Our veteran mentoring program will expand your peer and professional networks, develop your employability skills, offer new knowledge and insights, and prepare you for success in your study and career. Mentoring is open to all students, and as a member of the Veteran Pathway and Support Program, we'll aim to connect you with a veteran mentor. Choose from mentoring programs, including Uni foundations, Charles Sturt Peer Mentoring (including a veteran student specific peer group), and Connecting to industry.
Accessibility and inclusion: Support is offered to help reduce the impact of a disability or condition on studies. Our accessibility and inclusion services support students whose studies may be impacted by conditions, including mental health, physical, neurological, sensory, specific learning disorders, or being neurodiverse.
Personal support: Our counselling and wellbeing services are available to help you manage stress, mental health and any personal challenges.
Flexible study: You're in safe hands when you study with Australia's largest online uni.* Our wide range of online courses means you can study anywhere – nationally or internationally. And many of our campuses are located near military bases, making on-campus resources and facilities readily accessible even if you choose to study online.
*Department of Education, National Data Collection File, 2023
After serving in the Air Force for 10 years and then spending another decade working in Defence, Doug never imagined his next mission would be in social work. A simple conversation at the gym led him to volunteer in palliative care and it changed everything.
Recognised for his natural ability to support people through life’s toughest moments, Doug began studying a Bachelor of Social Work with us at Charles Sturt.
From Defence to social work: Doug’s inspiring career change as he continues to serve his community
Looking for meaningful employment for veterans, but unsure if you're ready to dive into a full degree? Upskill online in as little as a few hours with microcredentials. Microcredentials are short courses designed to meet industry needs and can give your résumé a real boost. With our wide range of microcredentials, you can customise learning to fit your career goals and interests. Many of our micros provide pathways to further study – with credit available! Flexible start dates with multiple offerings throughout the year mean you can begin your journey when you're ready. On successful completion, you'll receive a digital badge to publish on your LinkedIn or other social channels.
Great news! You can apply for one or more scholarships to help with the cost of study. More than $11 million in scholarships and grants are up for grabs each year. As a veteran, you can also take advantage of three dedicated scholarships for veterans and current serving members commencing study on campus or online.
We're here to answer any questions you may have. Get in touch.
Yes! Credit (also known as recognition of prior learning) is available for military qualifications and rank. Your military experience matters. Our team will assess your military rank, experience and any qualifications you hold. Your rank and relevant prior qualifications (e.g. AQF certificates and diplomas) can translate to credit and direct entry into select courses.
The Veteran Pathway and Support Program is for anyone who has served or is currently serving in the Australian Defence Force. If this is you – apply now.
Our program offers veterans and current serving members three streams of support.
Our Veteran Pathway and Support Program considers the unique needs of veterans and currently serving military personnel. We consider your military experience and previous qualifications to help you find the right course to open up civilian career opportunities. You'll get personalised support, credit opportunities and a community who understands your unique career and life experiences. We'll even help you discover civilian careers for veterans through our dedicated Careers and Skills team.
As a veteran, you can get credit towards a wide range of university courses. Contact us to find out more.
To help you prepare for university, you can start small and build your qualification with a microcredential. These are short online courses that can be completed in just a few weeks. We also offer a range of free Study Link subjects, to help you brush up on writing, maths, science and essay writing skills.
