Job Details

Other Ranks (Technical)

The use of submarines and effective anti-submarine tactics is one of the most important aspects of Australia's Naval Operations.  Over the years Australia has developed a conventional submarine force which is second to none in our region or the world.

Electronics Technician Submariners (ETSM) specialise in electronic componetary, systems operation and maintenance.

ETSM sailor's employment requires them to be adept at operating, monitoring and maintaining equipment in a wide and diverse range of platforms both in a seagoing and shore-based environment. As maintainers and operators, ETSMs are required to operate and monitor equipment performance to identify trends which have the potential to impact on the operational capability of a ship and initiate corrective action when required. As part of their maintenance function, they are required to conduct routine planned maintenance, attend to breakdown maintenance, and assist contractors in higher level maintenance.

The ETSM sailor is responsible for the operation and maintenance of various machinery and associated systems through out the ship including, but not limited to:

• RADAR systems and Displays;
• Navigation Aids (gyro-compasses, Inertial Navigation systems);
• Weapons systems (Guns, Missile systems);
• Fire Control Systems;
• Satellite equipment (GPS, SATCOM);
• Communications systems (HF, VHF, UHF);
• Electronic Warfare systems; and
• Underwater systems (SONAR, Echo Sounders, Torpedo Countermeasures).

Maintenance activities routinely require the use of a wide range of skills including mechanical, electrical, and electronics. As such, ETSMs are trained to be multi-skilled and competent to undertake their role as a maintainer operator. Once an ETSM sailor achieves competence through on-the-job experience and completion of competency elements, they are able to undertake maintenance activities under limited supervision.

Following trade completion and the award of Certificate 111 in Engineering - Electrical / Electronic Trade and dependant on aptitude for a higher skill set, the ETSM sailor will be placed on an Applied Skills and Technology Course (ASTC) or Equipment Application Course (EAC). On completion of this training, the sailor can return to the ship or establishment and perform maintenance duties relating to a specific system or skill set.

On completion of the associated ASTC competency task journal, a Certificate IV in Engineering  for the relevant specialisation is awarded.