Direct Entry to Submarines

An alternative entry path is available to those candidates who may wish to join submarines directly. During your application phase you will be required to undertake additional psychological and aptitude tests to assess your initial suitability. You will also be required to make contact with a qualified submariner to ensure you get all the information relevant to your rate.

On completion of Recruit training you will be posted to HMAS Stirling in WA to undertake an Enhanced Selection Process (ESP) Course for one week.

The ESP is a two way process in which:

• Personnel can make an informed decision as to their suitability for submarine service; and
• The member’s suitability for submarine service will be assessed.

Once you have been assessed as suitable at the ESP you will return to HMAS Cerberus for category training. At the end of category training instead of joining the surface fleet directly you will be posted to the Submarine Training and Systems Centre to undertake your submarine specialisation training.

Initial Collins Class Course (ICCC)

Duration: 5 weeks

Consists of a series of Computer based and instructor based modules that introduces the students to the construction, systems and inter-relationships that make up the submarine. The students also undertake Submarine Fire-fighting and Submarine Escape during this 5 week period.

Submariner Communications Information Systems Course

Duration: 3 weeks

Upon successful completion of CISSM training, the sailor is posted to an available training billet onboard a submarine where they undertake their Submarine Sea Qualification (SMSQ) task book. The task book is used to consolidate all the knowledge they have learnt in the STSC and prove they have what it takes to earn their "dolphins".

Further information is available on the Submariner pages.