THE ARMY PHYSICAL TRAINING CONTINUUM1

Every Soldier Physically Tough

“Soldiers face great physical demands in all theatres of operations—even without the additional
demands of close combat. Preparation for these demands requires a systematic approach to
conditioning that continues to develop both physical strength and endurance. This cannot be
achieved through organised physical training alone. Physical toughness requires that individuals
commit themselves to continuous physical conditioning.”

I’m an Australian Soldier

Physical fitness is an essential requirement for military service. The ability of a person to conduct
the tasks for which they have been trained under arduous conditions will be more readily achieved
by a person who is physically fit. We know that physical fitness is closely related to mental fitness
and, as such, if you are physically well prepared for your enlistment or appointment, this will
greatly assist during your recruit and initial employment training.

What are the physical expectations on your journey to become a soldier or officer?

Army capability is dependent on maintaining every soldier and officer, regardless of gender, at the
appropriate level of fitness to perform the tasks expected of them in accordance with the
employment category or trade they are employed in.

How do you achieve the standard?

You are not expected to be at the Army Physical Employment Standard for your particular
employment category from day one. Army has a well-structured conditioning program that will
assist you to reach the required physical fitness standards before you commence in your
employment category.

What are the physical assessments and standards?

The physical assessments and standards outlined below are provided to give you an insight into the
physical requirements of service in the Army. You can rest assured knowing that the Army will
provide you with all the assistance and training required to meet these standards throughout your
training. To do this Army will need you to meet and ideally be able to exceed the PFA standards
(outlined below) to provide a baseline level of fitness for the Army to help you build upon
throughout training.

 Pre-Enlistment/Appointment Fitness Assessment (PFA). This is the first and lowest level
of physical assessment. You are required to pass the PFA at Defence Force Recruiting
(DFR) before you enter the Army, and again during the initial stages of your training at the
Army Recruit Training Centre (ARTC) or Royal Military College (RMC)/Australian
Defence Force Academy (ADFA). The standards are gender specific and are detailed in
Table 1.

Table 1: PFA Standards

Push-Ups Sit-Ups Beep Test
(feet held)
Male 15 45 7.5
Female 8 45 7.5
Special Forces Direct 30 60 10.1
Recruiting Scheme (M&F)
 Basic Fitness Assessment (BFA). This is the second level of physical assessment and is
conducted within Units on a six-monthly basis to ensure you maintain an adequate level of
fitness and relates to maintaining Army Individual Readiness compliance. The standards are
gender and age specific and are listed in Table 2 (male) and Table 3 (female).

Table 2: BFA Standards – Male

Age Group 17-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 56-60
Push-Ups 40 35 30 25 20 10 6 5
Sit-Ups 70 65 60 50 35 25 20 15
2.4 km Run 11:18 11:48 12:18 12:42 13:12 13:48 14:30 15:30
(min:sec)
5km Walk 44:00 45:00 45:00 50:00
(min:sec)

Table 3: BFA Standards – Female

Age Group 17-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 56-60
Push-Ups 21 18 15 10 7 3 3 3
Sit-Ups 70 65 60 50 35 25 20 15
2.4 km Run 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
(min:sec)
5km Walk 45:00 47:00 47:00 52:00
(min:sec)

 All Corps Soldier Physical Employment Standards Assessment (ACS PESA). This is the
third level of physical assessment all trainees are required to achieve, regardless of
employment category, during Recruit Training at ARTC. This assessment is gender neutral
and is conducted approximately eight weeks into training. ACS PESA is also the baseline
standard for all employment categories (less those required to conduct the general Combat
Arms or Infantry PESA) and is conducted periodically. Officers complete the ACS PESA
prior to graduation from RMC. The ACS PESA requirements are detailed in Table 4.

 Combat Arms (CA) PESA. This is the fourth level of physical assessment and is expected
to be achieved by most combat arms employment categories during the Initial Employment
Training course. The standard is gender neutral and applies to Armour Corps, Artillery
Corps (see Note) and Engineer Corps, although it should be noted that some employment
categories within these corps have more difficult standards. Officers complete the CA PESA
before graduation from RMC if they are allocated to an Arms corps. The CA PESA
requirements are detailed in Table 4.

 Infantry PESA. This is the most demanding physical assessment and is expected of
Infantry Corps (including those undertaking the Special Forces Direct Recruiting Scheme)
during the Initial Employment Training course. The standard is gender neutral. Officers
complete this during the Regimental Officers Basic Course following graduation from
RMC. The Infantry PESA requirements are detailed in Table 4.

 Note:

o PESA requirements for each employment category are subject to change based on
Service requirements.

o RAA Officers posted to 20 STA are required to achieve ACS PESA.

Table 5 shows the Physical assessment Timeline for all Trainees applying to become Officers or
Soldiers.

Table 4: PESA
Overview Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
(Combat Arms)
(All Corps)

5km – 23kg load 10km – 35–40kg 15 km –

March with load at a rate of load
5.5km/h 40–45 kg load
Time: 50–55 Time: 100–110
(11min per km) Time: 150–165
minutes minutes minutes

Complete 6m bounds (every 20 12 x 6 m bounds 16 x 6 m bounds 1 km move in

secs) to a cadence track. 8 minutes –
16 x 6 m
Start from prone firing position at bounds
start of each bound. Pers have 5
seconds to reach 6 m mark. Adopt + 18m leopard + 18 m LC
a knee prior to re-adopting prone crawl
position.

Carry 2 x 22 kg jerry cans in 25 m 6 x 25 m legs 11 x 25 m legs

legs to a cadence track.

Soldiers put down jerries at

completion of 25 m leg, turn
around and lift carry in opposite
direction (in accordance with
cadence).

Lift a weighted box from the 25 kg 30 kg 35 kg 40 kg

ground to a 1.5 m high platform
(UNIMOG tray) using a
prescribed lifting technique.

Learn more about the exercises in the table above here

What happens if I do not meet the physical standard?

If you are unable to pass the PFA at DFR you will not be recruited into the Army. For female
candidates, you may be eligible for the Army Pre-Conditioning Program (APCP). Please
speak to your Recruiter.

If you arrive at ARTC and are unable to pass the PFA within the first week, including a retest, you
will be removed from your allocated recruit course to undertake a four week physical conditioning
program. Following this conditioning period, if you pass the PFA you will return to recruit training
however you need to be aware that due to the delay resulting from your inability to pass the PFA,
you may no longer be eligible to continue in the employment category you were offered, as you
 may miss the next course start date. In this case you will be given alternate options for transfer to
another employment category, dependant upon what vacancies Army has in the training pipeline. If
you do not pass the PFA after the conditioning period you will be discharged from Army.

If you are unable to pass the ACS PESA at ARTC, you will be withdrawn from training to
undertake further physical conditioning for up to 28 days. If you are unable to pass after the 28 day
period you may be discharged from Army.

For trainees who are unable to pass the CA or Infantry PESA, the same process as the ACS PESA
applies in that you will be given a 28 day period of further physical conditioning. You may be
offered an alternate employment category option for employment in a non-combat Corps if training
vacancies exist.

Summary

Once you have passed the PFA as part of the entry conditions, Army will prepare you to achieve
these more demanding physical standards. This information has been provided to ensure you are
aware of the physical employment standards that will be required of you.

Table 5: Physical Assessment Timeline

4 weeks prior to Enlist/ Appoint

As directed by Unit Readiness

Mid-Late in IET Course

Every 6 months in Unit

First week in Training

Week 8 at 1 RTB

policy
& Infantry)

BFA

& Infantry)
(All Corps, Combat Arms

(All Corps, Combat Arms

Relevant PESA

Relevant PESA
PFA

PFA

AC PESA

Pre-Enlist / Recruit Course (ORs) IET Course (ORs) Within Unit

Appointment
RMC/ADFA (Offrs) RMC/ADFA (Offrs)