Veteran Pathway Group helps ADF leavers and veterans access internationally delivered specialist career training — with pathway guidance, enrolment support, and coordination every step of the way.
About Us
Leaving the ADF is one of the biggest transitions you will make. The skills, discipline, and experience you built during service have direct value in civilian industries — both in Australia and internationally.
Veteran Pathway Group works with ADF leavers and veterans to identify the right international career training pathway, manage the enrolment process, and coordinate the logistics of internationally delivered training programs that lead to real civilian employment outcomes.
We are not a training provider. We are not a Registered Training Organisation. We are an independent specialist coordination and enrolment service.
Your ADF Transition Team remains your primary point of contact for transition support and funding. We work alongside that process — never in place of it.
Talk through your background, goals, and find the right pathway.
Clear explanation of qualifications, accreditation and employment outcomes.
We provide documentation your Transition Team needs for funding assessment.
We handle your enrolment and international training logistics.
Return with recognised qualifications and real civilian career skills.
Career Pathways
Three internationally delivered career pathways, each designed around the skills and experience of ADF leavers.
Close protection, maritime security, and internationally recognised emergency care qualifications — all externally accredited and internationally recognised.
From Australian CASA licensing to advanced international industrial and FPV field operations at a live mine site in Europe.
Highfield-accredited Level 5 Firearms Instructor and Level 3 RCO/RSO qualifications — delivered through specialist partner ASTL.
The Defence Force Transition Program (DFTP) includes Career Transition Training that may be available to eligible ADF leavers. Your ADF Transition Team manages your entitlements and any funding applications — they are the right people to speak to about what you may be eligible for.
We can provide your Transition Team with complete course information, provider credentials, and pathway documentation to help them assess any training funding application for our programs.
If you are a former ADF member, the Safeguarding Australia's Military Secrets Act 2024 (SAMS Act) — Part IXAA of the Defence Act 1903 — may be relevant to you before undertaking overseas work or training.
Our pathways involve attending training as a civilian student with private commercial training providers. There is no contact with, or training of, foreign military or government personnel in any of our programs.
However, it is your personal legal responsibility to understand your SAMS obligations before travelling and considering international career paths. Your Transition Team can assist, and full information is available at the official Defence SAMS page:
www.defence.gov.au — Safeguarding Australia's Military Secrets
Your ADF Transition Team manages your transition entitlements and any funding applications. Here's how our pathways fit — and what we can provide to support the process.
The Defence Force Transition Program (DFTP) is an Australian Government program that supports eligible ADF members transitioning to civilian employment. The Career Transition Training component may provide funding for approved training that directly supports your move into a civilian career.
Career Transition Training is not limited to formal Australian qualifications. It can fund internationally delivered training programs where the training directly supports civilian employment outcomes and meets Defence's assessment criteria.
Your Transition Team will assess your eligibility and the merits of any specific funding request based on your individual circumstances and current DFTP policy.
Multiple externally accredited qualifications from regulated awarding bodies — Highfield Qualifications and Qualsafe (OFQUAL-regulated). Clear civilian employment outcomes in close protection, executive security, maritime security, and emergency response.
View Pathway →Structured from Australian CASA RePL licensing (Level 1A, TOLL Uncrewed Systems) through to specialist industrial and FPV field training at a live mine site in Europe. Strong civilian employment outcomes in commercial drone operations.
View Pathway →Highfield-accredited Level 5 Firearms Instructor and Level 3 RCO/RSO qualifications delivered through ASTL. Civilian employment outcomes in firearms instruction, range safety management, and specialist security training.
View Pathway →We provide complete course documentation that you or your Transition Team can use when assessing or submitting a Career Transition Training application:
We will prepare this documentation pack for any student exploring a DFTP application, and make it available to your Transition Team on request.
The SAMS Act 2024 — Part IXAA of the Defence Act 1903 — requires certain former ADF members to obtain a Foreign Work Authorisation (FWA) before working for, or providing training to, a foreign military organisation or government body of a relevant foreign country.
Our pathways involve attending training as civilian paying students with private commercial providers. There is no contact with foreign military or government personnel in any of our programs.
The SAMS Act applies differently depending on your former ADF role and how long ago you left. Restriction periods apply as follows:
| Role Sensitivity | Restriction Period | General Role Types |
|---|---|---|
| Lower sensitivity | 1 year post-separation | Administrative, support, non-operational roles |
| Moderate sensitivity | 5 years post-separation | General military, infantry, NCO roles |
| Highest sensitivity | 10 years post-separation | Special operations, intelligence, advanced capability |
You must check your specific role against the Job Family Legislative Instrument — Defence (Non-foreign work restricted individual) Determination 2024. Your Transition Team can also assist.
Job Family Instrument and authorisation requirements:
www.defence.gov.au — SAMS Authorisation Requirements
Full SAMS Act text:
Defence Amendment (Safeguarding Australia's Military Secrets) Act 2024 — AustLII
SAMS enquiries: sams.info@defence.gov.au | Maximum penalty for breach: 20 years imprisonment
Close protection, maritime security, and internationally recognised emergency care qualifications — a complete career pathway built for Defence leavers.
The skills you developed in the ADF — situational awareness, personal protection, operational planning, emergency response, command under pressure — are directly transferable to the international protective security industry.
This pathway delivers a suite of externally accredited, internationally recognised qualifications that position you for employment in close protection, executive security, maritime security, and emergency response roles — in Australia and internationally.
Training is delivered internationally by ASTL, our specialist partner provider. All qualifications are issued by independent awarding bodies — Highfield Qualifications and Qualsafe — not by ASTL or Veteran Pathway Group.
| Component | Qualification | Awarding Body |
|---|---|---|
| Close Protection and PSD | Highfield International Level 3 CPP Certificate | Highfield Qualifications |
| First Response Emergency Care | Qualsafe Level 3 Award in FREC — FREC3 (RQF) | Qualsafe / OFQUAL-regulated |
| Tactical Emergency Casualty Care | TECC Certificate | C-TECC |
| Haemorrhage Control | Stop the Bleed Certificate | American College of Surgeons |
| Maritime Security | Maritime Security Officer (MSO) | Maritime Industry |
Highfield Qualifications is one of the UK's leading regulated awarding organisations with international recognition across the security industry. The Level 3 CPP Certificate is recognised internationally and supports employment as a close protection operative in private security, executive protection, and corporate security environments.
Verify directly: Highfield Qualifications Register — highfieldqualifications.com
FREC3 is a regulated UK qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), regulated by OFQUAL and endorsed by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh — Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care. Accepted by the UK Security Industry Authority (SIA) for Close Protection licensing.
Covers structured patient assessment, trauma management, airway management, catastrophic bleeding control, and emergency care in operational environments. Valid for three years. Foundation for FREC4 → FREC5 → Paramedic progression.
Verify directly: ofqual.gov.uk | qualsafe.org
The internationally recognised civilian adaptation of tactical trauma care, developed for law enforcement, security, and emergency response professionals. Covers care under threat, haemorrhage control, airway management, and casualty evacuation. Issued by C-TECC (Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care).
An internationally recognised haemorrhage control programme from the American College of Surgeons. Demonstrates competency in life-saving bleeding control techniques, recognised by employers across security, medical, and emergency response sectors.
Developed with content aligned to maritime security industry standards and the ISPS Code framework. Relevant for ADF leavers with naval, maritime patrol, or boarding operation backgrounds. Supports employment in vessel security operations, port security, and international maritime security roles.
Private close protection operative, corporate security detail, executive protection specialist — in Australia and internationally including the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and Africa.
Vessel security operative, maritime security team leader, port security officer — particularly relevant for Royal Australian Navy and maritime patrol leavers.
Industrial site first responder, offshore energy sector emergency responder, event medical cover (UK and international markets), pre-hospital care progression.
With sufficient operational experience, the qualifications in this pathway support progression into security training and instruction roles.
Highfield and Qualsafe qualifications must be delivered by approved centres operating under awarding body standards. ASTL delivers these programmes as an approved delivery partner.
The close protection and PSD training is conducted in a specialist operational environment with real-world scenario complexity and firearms use not replicated by Australian domestic providers for these specific programmes.
The international protective security industry operates to different standards from the domestic Australian licensed security market. Overseas training provides direct exposure to the professional context your new career will operate in.
This pathway is well-suited to Career Transition Training consideration. It includes multiple externally accredited qualifications from regulated awarding bodies, clearly defined civilian employment outcomes, and overseas delivery justified by awarding body centre requirements.
Your ADF Transition Team manages your Career Transition Training entitlements. We will provide your Transition Team with a complete documentation pack — course outlines, provider credentials, accreditation verification, and employment outcomes evidence — on request.
Australian CASA licensing combined with advanced international industrial and FPV field training — a structured drone career pathway for ADF leavers.
The drone and unmanned systems industry is one of the fastest-growing civilian sectors in Australia and globally. Industrial inspection, infrastructure surveying, agricultural operations, search and rescue, and site management are all driving demand for qualified drone operators, advanced FPV pilots, and drone instructors.
This pathway starts with an Australian CASA-accredited Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) foundation delivered by TOLL Uncrewed Systems, then moves into internationally delivered specialist industrial and FPV field training conducted at a live operational mine site in Europe.
By the end of this pathway, you hold Australian licensing, real-world international field experience, and advanced FPV operational and instructing qualifications — a combination that is genuinely rare in the civilian market.
TOLL Uncrewed Systems is an independent CASA-accredited training provider. This component gives you your Australian Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) — the qualification that authorises you to operate commercially as a drone pilot in Australia under CASA regulations.
Note: Level 1A is delivered by TOLL Uncrewed Systems independently. Veteran Pathway Group provides a referral and coordination service for this component. TOLL's own terms, conditions, and pricing apply. TOLL Uncrewed Systems RePL Training →
After completing your Australian licensing foundation, you travel to Europe for the Security and Industrial Drone Pilots Course — delivered at a functioning industrial mine site. This is real-world field training, not a classroom environment.
The advanced level of this pathway covers specialist FPV drone operations and includes a train-the-trainer component for those aiming to instruct FPV pilots professionally.
CASA-licensed commercial operator — industrial inspection, infrastructure surveying, agricultural monitoring, construction site management, cinematography.
On-site drone operator in mining, energy, utilities, and large-scale infrastructure, leveraging the live mine-site field experience.
SAR drone operator with emergency services, volunteer rescue organisations, and civil emergency response agencies.
Formally qualified FPV train-the-trainer — one of very few in the Australian market with this credential.
Building, leading, and managing drone operations within government, corporate, or industrial organisations.
Level 1A (TOLL Uncrewed Systems) provides your Australian CASA Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) — a CASA-recognised qualification for commercial drone operations in Australia.
The international components (Levels 1B and 2, delivered by ASTL in Europe) are specialist field training and FPV qualifications. They are not CASA qualifications and do not directly provide CASA accreditation. They provide the operational depth, real-world field experience, and advanced FPV capability that distinguishes a complete drone professional from a licensed operator.
The combination — Australian licensing and international specialist field experience — is what makes this pathway commercially valuable.
The Level 1B and Level 2 training is conducted at a functioning industrial mine site. No Australian domestic training facility provides equivalent real-world industrial conditions.
ASTL operates specialist international drone training programmes from established infrastructure at operational sites. This combination of environment and expertise is not available domestically.
The global industrial drone sector is not limited to Australia. International field training builds direct exposure to the operating standards and professional context of the broader global industry.
The international components of this pathway (Levels 1B and 2) are suited to Career Transition Training consideration — clear civilian employment outcomes, specialist overseas delivery unavailable domestically, and strong practical training content.
The Level 1A CASA RePL component may be funded through different arrangements. Your Transition Team will advise. Speak to your Transition Team first — we provide complete documentation on request.
Independent CASA-accredited training provider. Veteran Pathway Group provides a referral and coordination service only. TOLL's pricing and terms apply directly to the Level 1A enrolment.
Delivers Levels 1B and 2 internationally in Europe. Veteran Pathway Group is an enrolment agent for ASTL's international training programmes.
Highfield-accredited Level 5 Firearms Instructor and Level 3 Range Conducting Officer / Range Safety Officer qualifications — delivered in Europe through specialist partner ASTL.
ADF members with weapons handling, range conducting, and firearms instruction experience have a professional skill set that has genuine value in the civilian sector. The challenge has always been translating that military experience into recognised civilian qualifications.
This pathway does exactly that. Working through our specialist partner ASTL (Axis Security Training Limited), you will complete Highfield-accredited Firearms Instructor and Range Safety qualifications — externally awarded, internationally verifiable civilian credentials.
Training is delivered in Europe by ASTL, a specialist firearms training organisation holding Highfield centre approval for these programmes.
| Qualification | Level | Awarding Body | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firearms Instructor | Level 5 | Highfield Qualifications | ASTL — Europe |
| Range Conducting Officer / Range Safety Officer | Level 3 | Highfield Qualifications | ASTL — Europe |
Highfield Qualifications is a UK regulated awarding organisation with international recognition across the security and training industries. Level 5 on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework is an advanced qualification — a substantive professional credential reflecting high-level technical knowledge and instructional competency in firearms instruction.
This qualification supports employment as a civilian firearms instructor in security, law enforcement training, commercial range operations, and specialist training organisations — in the UK, Australia, and international markets where Highfield qualifications are recognised.
Verify directly: Highfield Qualifications Register — highfieldqualifications.com
The Highfield Level 3 RCO/RSO qualification covers the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to conduct live fire training safely as a Range Conducting Officer and Range Safety Officer. Level 3 on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework is a solid, employer-recognised qualification directly relevant to commercial ranges, security training facilities, and specialist training organisations.
Verify directly: Highfield Qualifications Register — highfieldqualifications.com
Instructor roles with commercial shooting ranges, sport shooting clubs, security training providers, and specialist civilian training organisations — in Australia and internationally.
RCO and RSO roles in commercial ranges, security training facilities, government-contracted training sites, and sporting ranges.
Firearms instruction within the private security and close protection training sector — particularly strong when combined with the Protective Security pathway.
For those with sufficient operational background, Level 5 Firearms Instructor supports work with international security training organisations.
Weapons training support in corrections, law enforcement, and related government agencies where civilian instructors are used.
ASTL holds Highfield Qualifications centre approval to deliver and assess these specific programmes. Highfield-accredited delivery requires an approved centre. ASTL is one of a limited number of providers globally with this approval for these qualifications.
ASTL operates purpose-designed training facilities with experienced instructors for these programmes. The facility and assessment quality required for Level 5 and Level 3 firearms qualifications is not replicated by Australian providers for these specific Highfield programmes.
Qualifications issued by Highfield through ASTL are verifiable on the Highfield public qualifications register. You can confirm the qualification, awarding body, and level independently.
All qualifications delivered through ASTL are issued by Highfield Qualifications and are verifiable on the Highfield public register. You do not need to take our word for it — you can verify independently before enrolling.
This pathway is suited to Career Transition Training consideration for ADF leavers with relevant weapons, range, and instruction backgrounds. The Highfield accreditation provides externally verifiable civilian credentials, delivery is through an approved centre, and civilian employment outcomes are clearly defined.
Your ADF Transition Team manages your Career Transition Training entitlements. We will provide complete documentation on request.
How Veteran Pathway Group collects, uses, and protects your personal information.
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Veteran Pathway Group ("VPG", "we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
Veteran Pathway Group provides pathway guidance, enrolment support, and coordination services connecting Australian Defence Force leavers and veterans with internationally delivered specialist career training. We are not a Registered Training Organisation and do not deliver training in Australia.
We may collect the following types of personal information:
Information about your ADF service may constitute sensitive information under the Privacy Act. We only collect such information with your consent and where it is reasonably necessary for our services.
We collect personal information directly from you — when you contact us by email, make an enquiry, attend a consultation, or proceed with an enrolment. We do not purchase personal information or collect it from third parties without your knowledge.
We use your personal information to:
We may disclose your personal information to:
Some of our partner providers are located outside Australia (including in the United Kingdom and Europe). Where we disclose your information overseas to coordinate your training, we take reasonable steps to ensure it is handled appropriately. By proceeding with an enrolment that requires overseas coordination, you consent to this disclosure.
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, and disclosure. However, no method of electronic storage or transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
You may request access to the personal information we hold about you, and request that we correct it if it is inaccurate, out of date, or incomplete. To make such a request, contact us at info@veteranpathwaygroup.com.au. We will respond within a reasonable period.
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. When information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it.
If you believe we have breached the Australian Privacy Principles, please contact us at info@veteranpathwaygroup.com.au. We will investigate and respond to your complaint. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The current version will always be available on this website, with the "last updated" date shown above.
For any privacy-related questions, contact us at: info@veteranpathwaygroup.com.au
The terms governing your use of this website and our services.
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These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the Veteran Pathway Group website and the services we provide. By using this website or engaging our services, you agree to these Terms.
Veteran Pathway Group ("VPG", "we", "us") provides pathway guidance, enrolment support, and coordination services. We connect Australian Defence Force leavers and veterans with internationally delivered specialist career training delivered by independent partner providers.
We are not a training provider. We are not a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). We do not deliver training in Australia. All training is delivered by independent specialist partner providers, and all qualifications are issued by the relevant independent awarding bodies, subject to successful completion of assessment.
Veteran Pathway Group is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Australian Government or the Australian Defence Force. Any reference to the Defence Force Transition Program (DFTP) or Career Transition Training is provided for general information only. DFTP funding is administered by the Australian Department of Defence and managed by your ADF Transition Team. We do not manage, approve, or guarantee any funding.
We make every effort to ensure the information on this website is accurate and current. However, course content, pricing, accreditation, provider arrangements, government programs, and legislation (including the Safeguarding Australia's Military Secrets Act 2024) may change. Information is provided on an "as is" basis without warranties of any kind. You should confirm current details with us, with the relevant provider, with your ADF Transition Team, or with the relevant authority before making any decision.
By engaging our services, you acknowledge and agree that:
Training is delivered by independent third-party providers, including ASTL (Axis Security Training Limited) and TOLL Uncrewed Systems. Each provider has its own terms, conditions, pricing, and policies, which apply to the training they deliver. VPG is not responsible for the acts, omissions, training delivery, or conduct of any third-party provider. Your contract for training delivery is subject to the relevant provider's terms.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, VPG is not liable for any loss, damage, cost, or expense arising from your use of this website, your engagement of our services, your participation in any training, your reliance on any information provided, or the acts or omissions of any third-party provider. Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any consumer guarantee, right, or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.
All content on this website, including text, graphics, logos, and layout, is the property of Veteran Pathway Group or its licensors and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use any content without our prior written permission.
Fees for services and training will be confirmed with you in writing before you commit. Payment terms will be set out at the time of enrolment. Please refer to our Refund Policy regarding payments.
These Terms are governed by the laws of Australia. Any dispute arising under these Terms will be subject to the jurisdiction of the Australian courts.
For any questions about these Terms, contact us at: info@veteranpathwaygroup.com.au
Please read this policy carefully before making any payment.
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Veteran Pathway Group operates a strict no-refund policy. Once a payment has been made — whether for a coordination or service fee to VPG, or for a training course delivered by one of our partner providers — that payment is non-refundable. This includes, but is not limited to, circumstances where you:
Because all fees are non-refundable, it is essential that you satisfy yourself fully before making any payment. Before you pay, you should:
We are happy to answer any questions and provide documentation to help you make an informed decision before you commit. Contact us at info@veteranpathwaygroup.com.au.
Training is delivered by independent providers (including ASTL and TOLL Uncrewed Systems). Each provider has its own payment and cancellation terms. Where a fee is paid to or through a provider, that provider's terms apply. VPG does not control and is not responsible for refunds of fees held by third-party providers.
In the rare event that a scheduled course is cancelled by a partner provider and cannot be rescheduled, we will work with you and the provider to identify an alternative course date or pathway. Any resolution in those circumstances is subject to the relevant provider's terms.
Nothing in this Refund Policy excludes, restricts, or modifies any guarantee, right, or remedy you may have under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) that cannot lawfully be excluded. Our services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the ACL. This no-refund policy applies only to the extent permitted by law and does not affect your non-excludable statutory rights.
For any questions about this Refund Policy, contact us at: info@veteranpathwaygroup.com.au