Inside AAFCANS: Your 60-Second Guide to a Rewarding Defence Career Path 🌟
Ever wondered what it's really like to work at the Army and Air Force Canteen Service (AAFCANS)? We've meticulously analyzed their 2024 annual report so you don't have to! In this comprehensive yet concise overview, you'll discover everything you need to know about this essential Defence organization—from their key functions and financial performance to the specific skills and qualifications they value in potential recruits. Whether you're a seasoned public servant looking for a change or a fresh graduate eager to start your career journey, this insider's guide will equip you with the knowledge to navigate your path to a rewarding government position supporting our Defence personnel.
AT-A-GLANCE: 📋
Name of Department: Army and Air Force Canteen Service (AAFCANS)
Location: Australia-wide with operations across 39 Defence bases/facilities
Managing Director: Tim Manic
Total Revenue: $37 million (FY2024)
Total Number of Employees: 278 (162 full-time equivalent)
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO AAFCANS 🎓
Top 5 academic qualifications most suited:
Certificate/Diploma Level: Hospitality Management, Food Safety Supervision, Retail Operations - these provide the practical skills needed for day-to-day operations across AAFCANS' numerous food service outlets.
Certificate/Diploma Level: Business Administration, Accounting - perfect for those looking to work in the administrative side of AAFCANS' operations, handling the financial aspects of this $37 million organization.
Bachelor/Master Level: Business Management, Commerce - ideal for those aspiring to management positions, helping you understand the commercial aspects of this self-sustaining organization.
Bachelor/Master Level: Food Science, Nutrition - valuable for developing healthy food options that meet the needs of Defence personnel, supporting AAFCANS' evolving food offerings.
Bachelor/Master Level: Supply Chain Management, Logistics - essential for ensuring smooth operations across AAFCANS' geographically dispersed network of 39 Defence bases.
Top 5 certifications most suited:
Food Safety Supervisor certification - critical for all Venue Managers to ensure safe food handling across all outlets and compliance with AAFCANS' food safety program.
Responsible Service of Alcohol - necessary for staff working in licensed venues like Harry's Sports Cafe at Lavarack Barracks.
Barista certification - valuable for the 44 coffee outlets AAFCANS operates, especially with their focus on quality coffee and dual blend offerings.
First Aid certification - important for workplace safety across all AAFCANS venues, supporting their strong focus on work health and safety.
Project Management certification - beneficial for those involved in facility upgrades and refurbishments, such as the recently completed projects at Lavarack Barracks and RAAF Townsville.
Top 5 trades/professions most suited:
Hospitality professionals - chefs, cooks, and food service workers form the backbone of AAFCANS operations, preparing and serving quality food to Defence personnel.
Retail managers - experienced retail managers can excel in overseeing AAFCANS' various outlets, from convenience stores to cafes and kiosks.
Baristas - with 44 outlets selling coffee, skilled coffee-makers are in high demand, particularly as AAFCANS expands its dual blend coffee offerings.
Customer service professionals - essential for maintaining AAFCANS' focus on quality service to Defence personnel, contributing to their mission of enhancing morale and well-being.
Commercial catering specialists - expertise in large-scale catering helps support Defence events, exercises, and operations like Exercise Talisman Sabre.
Top 5 skills most suited: 💼
Soft skills: Customer service excellence, as AAFCANS serves thousands of Defence personnel daily across their facilities, contributing to over 3 million transactions in FY2024.
Soft skills: Adaptability and flexibility, which allows staff to respond to changing Defence operational requirements and support exercises in remote locations.
Technical skills: Food preparation and cooking skills, essential for maintaining AAFCANS' expanding food offerings, including their new recipes and healthy options.
Technical skills: Digital literacy, as AAFCANS implements new technologies like QR code dining and online ordering at selected bases.
General skills: Environmental awareness, supporting AAFCANS' ESG initiatives like reducing single-use plastics, coffee cup recycling, and repurposing coffee grounds.
Top 5 work experiences most suited:
Fast food or cafe management - provides relevant experience for running efficient, customer-focused food outlets similar to AAFCANS' 28 canteen facilities.
Retail operations in remote locations - valuable for understanding the challenges of operating in some of AAFCANS' more isolated bases across Australia.
Event catering - helpful for supporting AAFCANS' role in Defence exercises and base events, such as the RAAF Williamtown Air Show.
Commercial kitchen experience - essential for food preparation roles across AAFCANS outlets, particularly with their focus on quality and safety.
Defence or government experience - offers insight into the unique culture and requirements of serving Defence personnel, enhancing AAFCANS' ability to fulfill its mission.
THE KEY FACTS 📝
Name of Department
Army and Air Force Canteen Service (AAFCANS)
Name of Managing Director
Tim Manic
Location
Australia-wide, with operations across 39 Defence bases/facilities including Army and Air Force installations in all states and territories, from RAAF Darwin in the Northern Territory to Puckapunyal in Victoria.
Year Founded:
1915 - AAFCANS has been part of Defence for over a century, established during World War I.
Main mission and purpose of the department:
AAFCANS' purpose is to provide Defence members with access to quality food, beverage and retail items and support base welfare. In practice, this means operating canteens, cafes, and retail outlets that enhance the living conditions and social environment for Defence personnel. For example, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, AAFCANS deployed mobile amenities and extended trading hours to provide essential services to Defence personnel and international troops, directly contributing to Defence capability by enhancing personnel morale and well-being.
Main duties of the department:
AAFCANS operates on a commercial and self-supporting basis to enhance the welfare of Army and Air Force personnel through:
Operating canteens, cafes, kiosks, and retail outlets across 26 Defence bases, providing convenient access to quality food and beverages
Managing modern equipment including 38 Merrychef ovens across bases to improve food quality, service speed, and safety
Providing 12 mobile amenities vehicles across 8 Army and Air Force bases for remote locations and exercises
Implementing innovative services like QR code dining and online ordering at selected bases
Supporting base welfare funds through vending machine programs, returning nearly $900,000 to Defence bases in FY2024
Developing eco-friendly initiatives like coffee cup recycling and reusable containers, which removed over 24,000 take-away cups from Defence landfill
Key Projects, Key Strategic Priorities, Future Plans and Initiatives: 🚀
Facility refurbishments including Harry's Sports Cafe at Lavarack Barracks and RAAF Townsville Canteen, with the Puckapunyal Family Store refurbishment planned for FY2025
Expansion of QR code dining and online ordering services to improve convenience for Defence personnel
"Leave your Legacy" promotion which diverts coffee cups from landfill while supporting Legacy Australia, raising $32,000 in donations in FY2024
Development of the Emerging Leaders program to build leadership capabilities and provide career pathways for staff
Introduction of innovative food offerings including protein shakes, smoothies, and grab & go meals
Expansion of retail ranges including tactical gear, adventure apparel, and military-themed merchandise
Did you know? 💡
AAFCANS returned $896,593 to Defence bases as part of its vending program in FY2024, with these funds directed to improving Defence welfare services and amenities. Additionally, customers benefited from 57,339 free reward coffees with a retail value of $255,574, making it one of the most competitive loyalty programs in Australia!
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE 💰
Total Number of Employees
278 employees (as of June 2024)
Total Number of Employees at each pay level
Sales Assistants: 212 employees (salary range: $48,000-$56,000)
Managers: 34 employees (salary range: $54,000-$80,000)
Clerical staff: 15 employees (salary range: $37,000-$113,000)
Executive staff: 10 employees (salary range: $42,000-$266,000)
Other positions: 7 employees (salary range: $45,802-$68,000)
Salary Bands
Entry-level (Sales Assistants): $48,000-$56,000
Mid-level (Managers): $54,000-$80,000
Administrative (Clerical): $37,000-$113,000
Senior Management/Executive: $42,000-$266,000
Specialized roles: $45,802-$68,000
Average salary in the department
Based on the salary data in the annual report, the approximate average salary would be around $57,000-$60,000.
Total Revenue
$37 million for FY2024 (specifically noted as "over $37M" in the annual report)
Average Revenue per Employee
Approximately $133,093 per employee (based on $37 million total revenue divided by 278 employees)
GETTING A JOB AT AAFCANS 🔍
Which academic subjects are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Certificate/Diploma Level:
Hospitality Management - provides essential skills for managing AAFCANS' numerous food service outlets across 26 Defence bases
Food Safety - critical for maintaining AAFCANS' commitment to quality food services and compliance with food safety regulations
Retail Operations - valuable for managing AAFCANS' convenience stores, kiosks, and retail offerings
Business Administration - useful for supporting AAFCANS' administrative functions and day-to-day operations
Bachelor/Master Level:
Business Management - essential for leadership positions within this $37 million self-sustaining organization
Food Science/Nutrition - valuable for developing healthy food options that meet the nutritional needs of Defence personnel
Supply Chain Management - critical for ensuring efficient operations across geographically dispersed locations and supporting AAFCANS' mobile amenities
Marketing - helpful for developing promotions like the "Leave your Legacy" campaign and enhancing customer experience
Human Resources - important for managing AAFCANS' diverse workforce of 278 employees across multiple locations
PhDs:
While less common in operational roles, specialized knowledge in food technology, sustainability practices, or organizational behavior could add strategic value to AAFCANS' development and innovation initiatives
Which trades and professions are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Hospitality professionals - chefs, cooks, and food service workers are essential to AAFCANS' core operations serving Defence personnel
Retail managers - experienced professionals who can oversee efficient operations of AAFCANS' 51 outlets nationwide
Baristas - with 44 outlets selling coffee, skilled coffee-makers are in high demand, particularly with AAFCANS' focus on quality and dual blend offerings
Commercial caterers - professionals who can support large-scale events, exercises, and operations like the RAAF Williamtown Air Show
Logistics specialists - experts who can manage supply chains across multiple locations, ensuring consistent product delivery to remote bases
Which work experiences are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Fast food or cafe management - provides relevant experience for running efficient food outlets that serve thousands of customers daily
Retail operations - valuable for understanding customer service, inventory management, and sales strategies
Event catering - essential for supporting AAFCANS' role in exercises and base events across Australia
Defence or government experience - offers insight into the unique culture and requirements of serving Defence personnel
Supply chain management - helpful for ensuring consistent product delivery across multiple locations, particularly important for AAFCANS' geographically dispersed operations
Which skills are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department? 🛠️
Soft skills:
Customer service excellence - essential for serving Defence personnel daily and contributing to AAFCANS' mission of enhancing morale
Team leadership - valuable for managing staff across various outlets, particularly important for the 34 manager positions
Adaptability - important for responding to changing Defence operational requirements and supporting exercises in remote locations
Communication - crucial for effective interaction with diverse stakeholders in the Defence environment
Problem-solving - necessary for addressing challenges in remote locations and during high-pressure events
Technical skills:
Food preparation and safety - fundamental to AAFCANS' food service operations and compliance with food safety regulations
Digital literacy - important as AAFCANS implements new technologies like QR code dining and online ordering systems
Inventory management - critical for maintaining appropriate stock levels across 51 outlets nationwide
Cash handling - essential for daily retail operations handling millions of transactions annually
Barista skills - valuable for AAFCANS' coffee offerings, which are a significant part of their business with 44 coffee outlets
General skills:
Environmental awareness - supports AAFCANS' sustainability initiatives like coffee cup recycling and coffee ground repurposing
Cultural sensitivity - important for working within the diverse Defence environment
Time management - essential for efficient operations during peak periods and exercises
Basic financial literacy - helpful for managing outlet budgets and contributing to AAFCANS' commercial success
Physical stamina - necessary for the active nature of hospitality work in busy canteens and mobile amenities
Which hobbies and interests align with the work of this department?
Cooking and baking - aligns with AAFCANS' food service operations and their focus on quality food offerings
Coffee appreciation - relevant to AAFCANS' focus on quality coffee and their dual blend offerings
Environmental sustainability - connects with AAFCANS' ESG initiatives like reducing waste and recycling
Military history - provides context for AAFCANS' century-long service to Defence since 1915
Sports and fitness - resonates with the active Defence community and facilities like Harry's Sports Cafe
Want more information on this department? 📞
Contact the department:
Address: Army and Air Force Canteen Service (AAFCANS) Building E11, Lavarack Parade Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, QLD, 4051
Phone: 07 3155 5375
Email: aafcans@aafcans.gov.au
Website: www.aafcans.gov.au
FAST-TRACK YOUR GOVERNMENT CAREER 🚀
Want to skip the frustration of crafting the perfect government job application? Join the waitlist for Gov Job Pro and turn your dream of a government career into reality in just 15 minutes. Our AI-powered platform creates:
✓ Tailor-made two-page Selection Criteria Responses
✓ Tailor-made government Resumes
✓ Tailor-made Cover Letters
Join the Waitlist Now and be among the first to access our game-changing application tool!
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information, including annual reports. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information on this article. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this article.