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Mike,
I was an instructor pilot for too many years (around 2500 hours instructional). I worked with a guy who was an instructor with the selection training at Tamworth, and got to know a LOT about their processes.
1. Prior flight experience is not only deemed "appropriate" but is almost ESSENTIAL. Shows keenness to do it on your own bat rather than the "free ride". Seeing he already has a few hours, then great. I would suggest he go do a few hours of aerobatics and unusual attitudes too - he's going to need it! And his flight precision is going to have to be top-notch. Split the zero as we say.
2. The academic/theoretical stuff is daunting - more so than the civilian stuff. I used to have ALL the manuals (copies), but sold them on eBay (for $1!!!!!!!!!). He MUST know the ops manual cover to cover, the flight manual verbatim etc. As well as all the RAAF rank structure, hierarchy, other aircraft data etc etc etc.
3. Interviews - ALWAYS say you want to be a fighter pilot. ALWAYS. If you say you want to be a trash hauler, they instantly think "Airline Pilot wannabe" - i.e using the RAAF as a stepping stone to better pay. I think they are a little more relaxed about it now, but they sure as heck never were before!
I went for the RAAF and Army DEO Pilot scheme back when I was a raw commercial pilot. Got all the way to be offered a place, and declined as I was offered what I thought was a better position (hindsight, where for art thou!).
Best of luck to him!
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