General Entry (Non-Technical Trades) is the term used to describe the non-technical jobs available to people entering the Navy as Sailors (non-Officer entry) and for which trade training is provided. Each Sailor job in the Navy is referred to as a category; for example, Boatswain's Mate is a category.

Non-Technical Sailors perform a wide range of tasks in support of Navy operations.

General Entry (Non-Technical Trades) Sailors graduate from recruit training with the rank of Seaman and generally progress to Able Seaman after 12 months of effective service following completion of trade training. Further promotion to Leading Seaman, Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer and Warrant Officer is based on merit and takes into consideration performance, time in rank, individual readiness (medical, dental, physical fitness) and vacancies. There is considerable variation between categories. However, as a guide, the following minimum times are spent in each rank:

• Recruit to Seaman (Unqualified) - 11 weeks (length of Military Training course);
• Seaman (Unqualified) to Seaman - Length of Employment Training course;
• Seaman to Able Seaman - 12 months after completion
  of employment training course;
• Able Seaman to 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.

Leading Seamen are referred to as Junior Non-Commissioned Officers. Leading Seamen are the first line of supervisors in the chain of command and as such have an important role in the maintenance of good order and discipline among their subordinates. They are expected to provide an important role model for subordinates.

Petty Officers are members of the company of senior sailors. Petty Officers perform management and technical specialist duties within their category. Their positions will involve personal accountability.

Chief Petty Officers are also members of the company of senior sailors and are required to demonstrate a well developed capacity for self directed work and a high degree of applied professional theoretical knowledge and well developed supervisory competence.

Warrant Officer is the most senior sailor rank. They are required to possess superior leadership and professional qualities. Warrant Officers may undertake planning, creative research and problem solving activities. Their positions often involve a significant degree of personal accountability.

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, 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.

While in a shore establishment, in addition to normal day to day employment, all sailors will perform:

• Duty Watch - member of the overnight security, fire fighting and emergency party (including first aid) on a roster basis.