The Rigger Parachute is a soldier who performs a wide range of technical functions on Aerial Delivery Equipment (ADE) including personnel and cargo inspection, repack, repair, modification, malfunction analysis, sentencing, procurement and fleet management of ADE.

Key Features
A member of a specialised small trade that develops its people as individuals.
The trade has a requirement to undertake parachute currency descents every 12 months to maintain their jump qualification and has the potential to become an Army qualified Parachute Jump Instructor.
In addition, personnel are required to complete a parachute packing requalification every two years.
A key benefit of becoming a Rigger is that there is little waiting time for trade training. This means that a potential Rigger can achieve full trade pay much faster than some other trades with long waiting lists.

• Inspects parachutes, parachuting instruments, aerial delivery equipment and helicopter lifting equipment to determine the serviceability and necessity for repairs.
• Packs all personnel and cargo parachutes within the Army inventory, in accordance with production quota's.
• Is responsible for processing orders for stores, applying warehousing principles, applying appropriate maintenance procedures for ADE and test equipment.
• Is required to undertake considerable responsibility for on-the-job training to ensure all allocated personnel remain current with safety procedures, legislative amendments and modifications to equipment. Alternatively, they could be posted as a RIG PRCHT Instructor at ALTC, Parachute Instructor at Parachute Training School, or an instruction in other TC-A units.
• Undertakes recovery of ADE from a Drop Zone (DZ).
• Repairs and modifies ADE and ADE support equipment.
• They may be responsible for four or more sections or commanding a PMU platoon of up to 40 personnel.

• RIG PRCHT GDE 1 PTE-PTE(P) Pay Grade 3
• RIG PRCHT ADV PTE(P)-CPL Pay Grade 4
• RIG PRCHT SPVR CPL-SGT Pay Grade 5
• RIG PRCHT MNGR SGT-WO2 Pay Grade 5
• RIG PRCHT TECH MNGR Tier A WO1 Pay Grade 5
• RIG PRCHT TECH MNGR Tier B WO1 Pay Grade 6

• C2/MR2 Driver Course.
• IET RIG PRCHT Basic Course: 115 days conducted at ALTC, Bandiana, Victoria and Parachute Training School, Nowra.
• Subject 4 CPL Advance RIG PRCHT Course: 26 days conducted at ALTC, Bandiana, Victoria.
• Military Free Fall Course.
• Subj 4 SGT Supervisor RIG PRCHT Course: 30 days conducted at ALTC, Bandiana, Victoria.
• Overseas Training Serial RAAOC Aerial Delivery Material Officers Cse.

The RIG PRCHT is employed in Parachute Maintenance Units (PMU), Airborne Units and Training Command Establishments throughout the Army.

Completion of Australian Year 10 education (or equivalent) with passes in English and Mathematics.

This category's courses meet the requirements for both civilian and military authorities and will make you eligible for:

• Certificate II in Government.
  
  
• Certificate III in Transport and Distribution (Warehouse and Storage) and
  
  
• Certificate III in Textile Fabrication
  
  

A soldier may elect to trade transfer to this employment category. If a soldier elects to trade transfer to this category, a Return of Service Obligation (ROSO) is required. The length of ROSO for both trade transfer and other category training is in the Chief of Army Determination on ROSO (Army Schedule) on the DGPERS-A website, (DefWeb only). If a member has an existing ROSO from prior training, this ROSO may be served concurrently. Defence policy on ROSO is in DI (G) PERS 33-2 Return of Service Obligation.

All applicants for trade transfer to this category are to undergo a Psychological Assessment for parachute training. Potential lateral enlistees assessed with appropriate qualifications, generally enter the employment category stream at a prescribed rank and will normally be required to undertake some form of refresher training prior to appointment. Ab-initio and category transfers will generally enter to category stream at the Initial Employment Training (IET) level and be required to complete the IET Courses. Category transferees who hold rank prior to a transfer will generally be required to revert to PTE upon successful completion of IET, however each category is to assess the individual on their merits. Category transfers are required to achieve the fitness standard prescribed for attendance on the Basic Parachute Course.

Detailed employment category information about RIG PRCHT can be found within the Manual of Army Employments. (DefWeb only)