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About the Job
Manage, analyse and monitor communications, signals and systems to keep your team in-the-know throughout the submarine.
Whether you have recently finished school, currently studying, already in the workforce or you have no experience at all, you'll be paid from day one. You'll gain all the skills needed with extensive on-the-job training.
As a Communication Networks Operator Submariner (known in the Navy as Communications and Information Systems Submariner), you’ll operate the Navy’s subsurface communication and IT systems to make sure that information remains secure and that the lines of communication remain uninterrupted. You’ll act as the communications hub onboard, receiving, sending and providing all communication and information to relevant stakeholders, Command and crew.
In this diverse role, your day could include handling sensitive material, operating IT and network systems, encoding and decoding classified information or providing communications advice to your team.
Your duties include, but aren’t limited to:
- Communicating through radio and satellite links
- Handling classified and sensitive information and material
- Operating and coordinating telecommunication and IT systems
- Network administration, security, system diagnosis and recovery
- Providing specialist communications advice to Command
- Encoding and decoding signals and classified information
- Search and rescue
- Cyber security
As a submariner, you’ll be a part of the most exclusive and stable workforce in Australia having a direct effect on Navy missions and operations at sea. You will also perform additional duties and learn new skills to become highly trained and efficient in supporting the whole submarine. This may include boat security, firefighting, flood repair, first aid, ammunitioning, ceremonial duties or medical emergency team member.
You'll enjoy a competitive salary package, career stability, opportunities for continuous progression and an adventurous lifestyle, all while making a difference to Australia.
To succeed with the Navy tomorrow, apply today.
Other Ranks - Non Technical
Join the ADF with appropriate high school passes
Key Information
Preparing for Your Recruitment Process
This document provides information that will assist applicants for roles in the Navy, Army and Air Force, including details about the recruitment process, how to prepare yourself for assessment, and what to expect if you are successful in joining the Australian Defence Force.
Salary & Allowances
In the Navy you'll get paid a good salary from day one regardless of your age, experience or qualifications; and your pay increases as you progress through training.
In addition to your salary you'll receive a variety of allowances, extra pay for relevant qualifications – plus 16.4% superannuation, a far higher rate than you're likely to find in the civilian world.
For more details download our
Salary Scales.
Locations
All submariners will spend the majority of their careers based out of HMAS Stirling, WA. There are a number of other shore postings available at various locations around Australia.
Requirements
Age
Applicants must be at least 17 years of age and able to complete the Initial Minimum Period of Service before reaching Compulsory Retirement Age (60).
Applicants will not be allowed to enter the ADF until they achieve a minimum of 17 years of age, however they may be able to initiate the application process from 16 years and six months of age.
Education & Experience
The minimum educational standard is successful completion of Year 10 level, which must include passes in English and Mathematics.
Medical & Fitness
To join the Navy, it's important that you meet the necessary medical and physical requirements. This is assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination. Regular exercise prior to joining will set you up for success as it is an important part of training and service life.
You must also pass the swim test and physical fitness test to graduate from your training.
Royal Australian Navy Swim Test (RANST):
The RANST is conducted early in your training to ensure the Navy's duty of care to all serving personnel, with respect to rudimentary swimming skills. The purpose of the RANST is to ensure fundamental water survival skills as a prerequisite to training such as survival at sea training. Individual components of the RANST are fundamentally related to the survival at sea scenario.
Competency in the RANST is achieved through completion of each component:
- Safety jump off a 3m tower
- 10m underwater swim
- 50m swim using survival strokes
- Treading water or floating for 15 minutes
Note: You will be wearing your Navy uniform during the swim test.
All personnel will undertake the RANST upon entry and competency is to be achieved before the end of your initial military training. You will find it much easier to pass the swimming test if you undertake swimming training before you join.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards refer to Physical Fitness Standards for Entry into the ADF and Medical Process for Entry into the ADF.
Period of Service
You will be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of two years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. Your Careers Coach can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation.
Aptitude
The Job Opportunities Assessment (JOA) is completed as part of the application process to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Some jobs may also require you to complete a further evaluation at a later date.
The JOA is used by Defence to establish suitability for ADF entry, and then identify jobs that best match your abilities.
Further information about the JOA can be found in the Guide to the Job Opportunities Assessment for the ADF.
To get a feel for the types of questions that are used in the Job Opportunities Assessment and how they will look on your screen some examples can be found in the Job Opportunities Assessment Example Questions.
Citizenship
To serve in the ADF you must be an Australian Citizen.
If you are a permanent resident of Australia, the ADF may consider a temporary deferral of the citizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who meets all the citizenship requirements, and then only in exceptional circumstances. You will be required to obtain Australian Citizenship as early as possible following enlistment or appointment.
Find out more in our Citizenship page or ask your local ADF Careers Centre.
Security Requirements
The Department of Defence requires ADF employees to have a security clearance appropriate to their employment.
A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and if required, interviews, enables the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability for a security clearance.
The minimum security clearance level required is Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1), and current policy requires applicants to have a checkable background for the previous 10 years.
This means applicants must provide credible referees (non-family members) who are able to provide information about the applicant covering an extended period of time. Required information for an NV1 includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Residence
- Employment
- Education
- Financial information
- Travel
Some ADF jobs may require a higher level of security clearance such as Negative Vetting Level 2 (NV2) or Positive Vetting (PV). Your individual circumstances will determine the number and complexity of the questions and the supporting documents required for these levels.
Australian Citizenship is a requirement for a security clearance and a clearance will only be granted to a non-citizen in exceptional circumstances.
The security clearance is critical to an applicant's successful progression through the recruiting process. It is strongly recommended that all applicants action the Security Clearance Package (ePack) and provide the required documentation without delay to provide the best opportunity to commence training and be employed in their preferred employment category.
For more detailed information on the security vetting process and specific clearance level requirements set by AGSVA, please refer to the AGSVA website.
Support will be provided by DFR during the initial application process.
Training
Military Training
Duration: 10 weeks
Location: Recruit School at HMAS Cerberus, Victoria
All sailors who join the Navy will conduct their initial sailor training at the RAN Recruit School prior to commencing specific category training. The NESC course is designed to prepare you to conduct basic duties as a sailor. Some of the key components of the NESC course are:
- Physical fitness: General fitness and the Navy swim test
- Military life: General service knowledge, including drill and ceremonial procedures
- Specialty skills: Weapons training, workplace safety, first aid and sailing
- Navy skills: Seamanship, corrosion control, survival at sea and fire and flood control,
- A one week sea familiarisation period
Recruits, who successfully complete all components of the course will participate in a Graduation Parade to mark the occasion. Recruits will have the opportunity to invite family and friends to view the parade.
On completion of NESC course, all sailors will proceed on to their respective employment training specific to their category. For further information, please see the RAN Recruit School joining instructions Navy recruit school website.
Employment Training
Duration: 35 weeks
Location: HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point, VIC
The aim of the program is to train Communication Network Operator Submariners in the underpinning core foundation knowledge and skills required for the safe operation of communications and information systems both at sea and ashore.
Some of the topics include but are not limited to:
- Information security, network architecture and software application skills
- Security procedures
- Operation of radio, satellite and other specific communications equipment, including flashing light and flag hoist
- Interpreting flags and their meanings
- Flag ceremonial procedures
- Interpreting naval tactical signals and related instructions
- Processing military messages, including accountability and security
- Selection, operation and management of long and short range radio communications facilities and equipment
Duration: 2 Days
Location: HMAS Stirling, Rockingham WA
Provides information and manages your expectations for your career and lifestyle as a Submariner so that you can make a fully informed decision.
Includes tours of a Submarine (or VR tour), Submarine Training and Systems Centre and discuss your career path with a qualified Submariner.
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: HMAS Stirling, Perth WA
Consists of a series of computer based and instructor-based modules that introduces you to the construction, systems and inter-relationships that make up the submarine. You will also undertake submarine firefighting and submarine escape during this period.
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: HMAS Stirling, Perth WA
Submarine specific training in the operation of onboard communication and information systems.
After your shore based training you will be issued your Submarine Task Book, for completion, to consolidate your training. You will be posted to a submarine to progress your Task Book and work towards your submarine qualification. On completion of this phase you will attend a board. Successful completion of the board will culminate in Submarine Qualification and the award of “Dolphins” – the badge of the Submariner.
Further information is available on the submariner pages.