Entry

Other Ranks (Technical)

General Entry (Technical Trades) is the term used to describe the technical jobs available to people entering the Navy as Sailors (non-Officer entry) and for which trade training is provided. Every sailor is assigned to a Category in the Navy. For example, Electronics Technician is a Category.

Career Progression

General Entry (Technical Trade) Sailors graduate from recruit training with the rank of Seaman Star (SMN*) and the day following successful completion of Initial Technical Training (ITT), you will be afforded the rank of Seaman and the qualification of ET.

A sailor will generally progress to the rank of Able Seaman Electronics Technician (ABET) after 12 months of effective service following completion of ITT. Further promotion to Leading Seaman Electronics Technician (LSET), Petty Officer Electronics Technician (POET), Chief Petty Officer Electronics Technician (CPOET) and Warrant Officer Electronics Technician (WOET) is based on promotion prerequisites taking into consideration qualifications, performance, time in rank, position vacancies and individual readiness such as fitness and medical status. There is considerable variation between categories. However, as a guide, the following minimum times are spent in each rank:

• Recruit to Seaman Star (Unqualified) - 11 weeks (length of Military Training course);
• Seaman Star (Unqualified) to Seaman - Length of Initial Technical Training (Approximately 38 weeks but can be shorter depending on Recognition of Prior Learning and current competency of the sailor); 
• Seaman to Able Seaman - 12 months after completion of Initial Technical Training;
• Able Seaman to Leading Seaman - minimum of 2 years (dependant upon performance evaluation reports);
• Leading Seaman to Petty Officer - minimum of 4 years (dependant upon performance evaluation reports, this period may be shortened for high achievers);
• Petty Officer to Chief Petty Officer - minimum of 4 years (dependant upon performance evaluation reports, this period may be shortened for high achievers); and 
• Chief Petty Officer to Warrant Officer - minimum of 4 years.

Leading Seaman is the most junior of the Non-Commissioned Officers and are the first line of supervisors in the Chain of Command. They are also experienced ETs in the management of equipment for which they are responsible for. As such, they have an important role with regard to leadership, technical maintenance, discipline, maintaining and promoting good order and are an influential role model for their subordinates.

Petty Officers are sub-system/system departmental section managers with a high degree of experience and expertise within their given field. Petty Officers are required to manage/coordinate maintenance and repair of complex electronic systems and sub-systems, and employ an understanding of technical administrative procedures to carry out their duties.

Chief Petty Officers are highly trained line managers and technical specialists. As such, they are required to diagnose faults at system and/or inter-system level; identify, analyse and react to trends which have the potential to impact on the operational capability of a ship. As line managers, Chief Petty Officers are required to oversee the management of complex electronic systems, apply project management skills, and possess an in-depth understanding of technical administrative procedures. CPOET sailors are in significant leadership and management roles coordinating the activities of sub-departments under their responsibility. They also provide an important and influential role with regard to the Divisional System ensuring the good order and well being of subordinates.

Warrant Officer is the most senior of the non-commissioned ranks. They are required to possess superior leadership and professional qualities and often undertake planning, creative research and problem solving activities. Their positions also involve a significant degree of personal accountability, responsibility and leadership. Given their experience and length of service, they provide a high level of guidance and divisional support to subordinates.

The opportunity to transfer to commissioned officer is open to all sailors of Able Seaman rank and above who possess the necessary educational qualifications and personal attributes.

Irrespective of category, whole ship or general duties are just as important as specialist duties. Therefore all sailors also undertake at various times in their career such activities as:

• Fire Fighting - containment and extinguishing of all types of fires;
• First Aid - knowledge and application of basic first-aid medical skills;
• Duty Watch - member of the overnight security, fire fighting and emergency party;
• Communal Duties - working in teams to help clean and maintain all work and living areas;
• Damage Control - assisting with ship damage emergency repairs;
• Ship Husbandry - maintenance and upkeep of ships' surfaces, fittings and equipment; and
• Physical Fitness - All members of the Navy are required to maintain an appropriate level of physical fitness which is assessed annually in a Physical Fitness Test.

Qualified

General Entry Sailor - Technician (QES-T) is the term used to describe the technical jobs available to people entering the Navy as Sailors (non-Officer entry) and for which modified trade training is provided. Each Sailor job in the Navy is referred to as a category; for example, Electronics Technician is a category.

QES-T sailors graduate from recruit training with the rank of Probationary Able Seaman. They will then attend a modified form of Initial Technical Trade Training that recognises trade qualifications already held and will align with Engineering specific trade training. On completion of this alignment training they will be promoted to Able Seaman. Further promotion to Leading Seaman, Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer and Warrant Officer is based on performance, time in rank and vacancies. As a guide, the following minimum times are spent in each rank:

• Recruit to Probationary Able Seaman (Unqualified) - 11 weeks (length of Military Training course);
• Probationary Able Seaman - Able Seaman - (Length of Technical Trade Alignment Training);
• Able Seaman - Leading Seaman - minimum of 2 years;
• Leading Seaman to Petty Officer - minimum of 4 years;
• Petty Officer to Chief Petty Officer - minimum of 4 years; and
• Chief Petty Officer to Warrant Officer - minimum of 4 years.

Irrespective of category, sailors' duties are just as important as specialist duties. Therefore on a ship, all sailors will perform such activities as:

• Fire Fighting - containment and extinguishing of all types of fires;
• First Aid - knowledge and application of basic first-aid medical skills;
• Duty Watch - member of the overnight security, fire fighting and emergency party;
• Communal Duties - working in teams to help clean and maintain all work and living areas;
• Damage Control - assisting with ship damage emergency repairs;
• Replenishment at Sea - assisting with the re-supply of ships at sea;
• Ship Husbandry - maintenance and upkeep of ships' surfaces, fittings and equipment; and
• Physical Fitness - All members of the Navy are required to maintain an appropriate level of physical fitness. Physical fitness is tested on an annual basis.

Other Ranks (Technical) (Reserve)

As a trained member of the Active Naval Reserve, you are obligated to serve a minimum of 20 days per year but you may work up to 200 days per financial year in approved positions.

Unlike the Army and Air Force that set aside specific days for meeting minimum attendance requirement, in the Navy you will have to seek employment in either Funded Reserve Commitment positions, Project work or Permanent Navy vacancies. This means that you will effectively contribute to Navy capability rather than just parading. You will be assisted to find work by either your category sponsor or through advertising material provided to Reserves on a weekly basis.

Reserve personnel may volunteer for a period of full-time service with the Permanent Navy, provided the member's services are required.

Further information on part-time ADF careers can be found by accessing the Defence Reserves Support Council website.

The Council promotes the benefits of Reserve service by establishing partnerships with the community and employers.