Recruitment Centre

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) welcomes enquiries from both officers and sailors who are interested in a new career and new life in Australia.

In the coming decade the RAN is delivering new capabilities in amphibious warfare, air warfare and also helicopter systems.

There are also ongoing opportunities at sea and ashore to support submarines, frigates, patrol boats as well as general engineering, project management and warfare capabilities.

The next round of assessments for applications will take place in July 2013.

The RAN overseas recruitment program is aimed at serving or immediately ex-serving officers and sailors of foreign Naval Forces (not greater than three years since separation from military service) with specific qualifications and/or experience that is directly transferable to the RAN.

The RAN is recruiting to particular ranks and specialisations that can help build new experience and capability.

For officers, this includes the Maritime Warfare (Seaman) Officer, in particular Principal Warfare Officers (willing to go to sea but also contribute in shore warfighting development such as amphibious warfare), Submarine Warfare Officers, Marine Engineering Officers and Medical Officers.

Within the Submarine service the RAN is seeking sailors who are specialists in Cryptologic Systems and Electronic Warfare as well a Marine Technicians and Electronics Technicians. For the surface fleet the RAN are seeking sailors (Leading Seaman and above) from the Marine Technician fields, and Leading Seaman Combat Systems Operators, preferably with anti-submarine/anti-surface controller qualification. A detailed list is included below.

AEGIS Weapon System Expertise

The introduction of the three HOBART class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD) from 2014 also demand skill sets not currently available in the RAN including AEGIS Weapons System experience.

Officers : Lieutenant Commander and Lieutenant

Sailors : Chief Petty Officer

Petty Officer

Leading Seaman and Able Seaman

NOTE: Occupational Groups and/or rank requirements may change from time to time subject to workforce demand.

As the requirement for specific ranks and specialisations may change from time to time subject to new capability requirements, the RAN welcomes enquiries from officers and sailors from other specialisations, not just the ones being presently advertised. Each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis to see where a fit can be found in the RAN.

Application Timings

The time frame for the lateral entry process varies and is reliant on candidates providing the required information for assessment and individual circumstances eg. their ability to be released from their current Service. From initial enquiry through to enlistment or appointment, the typical time frame is approximately 18-24 months.

After confirmation of a workforce assessment of the candidates’ educational qualifications and skills, successful candidates are sent an application pack. Candidates are required to complete a medical assessment and send a full copy of their service medical and dental documents. The expected time frame from receipt of a completed application pack to the indicative Conditions of Service (COS) with a proposed joining date is approximately 8-10 weeks.

The second phase of the process involves immigration approvals, travel and appointment/enlistment into the RAN. An Australian permanent Residency Visa generally takes between four and six months to process and approve, the local High Commission or Embassy requires 6-8 weeks (less if the removal/travel is straight forward) to arrange full removals, appointment or enlistment and travel to Australia.

Immigration

The RAN currently operates under a labour agreement which permits sponsorship of visas for those individuals who are recommended for processing for appointment or enlistment. Those applicants who are approved for sponsorship are responsible for obtaining their Australian permanent resident visa. An applicant and each dependent family member must hold a permanent resident visa before entry to the RAN. The visa is the trigger for all authorisations and individuals are strongly advised not to make any lifestyle changes until visas are formally issued.

Additionally, applicants must make a written undertaking that they will apply for Australian Citizenship as soon as they are eligible (normally after three months service in the Permanent Navy). For information on accelerated citizenship for families of Defence Overseas Lateral Recruits, please refer to this document.

English Language

Applicants from non-English speaking background must have a minimum of vocational proficiency in English and must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test score in accordance with the Migration Regulations 1994 – REG 1.15B.

Security

Applicants must hold an appropriate Australian Defence Force (ADF) security clearance (minimum of 'secret' for officers and 'secret' or 'confidential' for sailors) before appointment or enlistment. Australian security arrangements require that applicants have a background of at least 10 years, which can be directly verified by the Defence Security Agency. Current international agreements permit security clearances to be transferred for active military personnel from Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States, subject to verification procedures.

Reserves, Non-Australian Citizen or Non-Permanent Resident without military experience

While this program is not for personnel wishing to transfer to the Royal Australian Naval Reserves (RANR) interested personnel may apply for enlistment through an Australian Defence Force Recruiting agency, once Australian permanent residency requirements have been satisfied.

Foreign nationals who do not have military experience are not eligible for recruitment via this program. Applications for enlistment may be lodged through an Australian Defence Force Recruiting agency, once Australian permanent residency requirements have been satisfied.

Age

Due to immigration regulations the maximum age on appointment/enlistment is 50 years. Waivers can be submitted for exceptional circumstances.

Medical

RAN and Foreign Navy Military Forces medical standards differ significantly and personnel who do not satisfy RAN medical entry standards are unable to enter.

Service history

Applicants must have an above average Service performance reporting history. Officer candidates must hold minimum rank of Lieutenant (LEUT) or equivalent, while sailors must hold minimum rank of Able Seaman (AB) or equivalent with significant relevant occupational experience.

Employment Restrictions

Applicants must not have any employment or locality restrictions. All applicants will be required to serve for a period of six years and must also be prepared to serve anywhere in Australia, at sea or overseas at short notice.

Resignation

Applicants must have resigned from their parent Service (including terminal leave and release from all Reserve Service obligations) before entry.

Availability

Applicants who accept an offer of employment must be available to clear immigration visa requirements and to join the RAN within 18 months.

Officers and sailors will be assessed against a number of criteria including security, medical, family/social considerations and military experience and qualifications. The following requirements must also be met to satisfy entry into Australia under the Labour Agreement:

Officers

Applicants for any one of the occupational groups must have:

A qualification equivalent to an AQTF 2007 bachelor degree (or higher level qualification) equivalent to a minimum of three years full-time study in an appropriate discipline;

OR: Experience and/or training that can be readily assessed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to be equivalent to an Australian post-secondary qualification equal to at least three years full-time study;
AND: A minimum of three years relevant post-qualification experience in the occupation to be performed in the RAN;
AND: Be assessed as having a minimum of vocational proficiency in English (as defined in the Migration Regulation 1.15B).

Sailors

Applicants for any one of the occupational groups must have:

A qualification equivalent to an AQF bachelor degree (or higher level qualification) requiring a minimum of three years full-time study in an appropriate discipline;

OR: Experience and/or training that can be readily assessed by DIAC to be equivalent to an Australian post-secondary qualification requiring at least three years full-time study;
OR: Have completed relevant specialist Defence Force training courses and experience equivalent to at least three years full-time study (following the completion of education equivalent to an Australian Secondary School certificate (year 10);
AND: A minimum of three years relevant post-qualification experience in the occupation to be performed in the RAN;
AND: Be assessed as having a minimum of vocational proficiency in English (as defined in the Migration Regulation 1.15B).

Additional education information

Australian Education International (AEI), through the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR), provides official information and advice on the comparability of overseas qualifications with Australian qualifications. This aims to help overseas qualified people work and study in Australia. NOOSR assessments are not Recognition of Prior Learning assessments.

AEI is part of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). AEI uniquely integrates the development of international government relations with support for the commercial activities of Australia's education community. To do this, AEI liases with all sectors of the education and training industry and all levels of government.

AEI-NOOSR does not assess secondary school qualifications (these are normally assessed by State/Territory education authorities) or trade qualifications (which can be assessed by Trades Recognition Australia).

For further information about AEI services, as well as links to other assessing agencies, please refer to the AEI website.

Candidates who consider that they meet the entry requirements are welcome to submit an expression of interest. Please ensure that you attach your CV / resume including military training and experience to date. You should also include any specific employment qualifications (e.g. charge or operator qualifications), and any deep specialist skills or experience (e.g. amphibious operations or AEGIS Weapons System experience).