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About the Job
Be a tradie in the Navy operating, maintaining, diagnosing and repairing advanced technical and military hardware, onboard submarines and ashore.
Whether you already have a trade, you're an apprentice, 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 trade training. You may also be able to use your existing qualifications and be eligible for recognition of prior learning.
As an Electronics Technician Submariner, you’ll be responsible for the performance of underwater sensors, combat and weapons systems, navigation aids, electronic warfare systems and more.
Electronics Technician Submariners do not maintain electrical services. If you are looking for an electrical trade and have an interest in working with electrical power generation or high voltage systems, you may be better suited to employment as a Marine Technician Submariner.
Your typical day will see you operating systems and monitoring performance to identify and correct operational faults. You'll conduct maintenance tasks, including routine planned maintenance, attending to breakdown maintenance, and assisting contractors in higher level maintenance.
Your duties include, but aren’t limited to maintaining:
- Underwater sensors (sonar, torpedo countermeasures)
- Combat systems
- Radar systems and periscopes
- Navigation aids (inertial navigation systems, echo sounder)
- Weapons systems (torpedoes, missile systems)
- Satellite equipment (GPS, SATCOM)
- Communications systems (HF, VHF, UHF)
- Electronic warfare systems
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, medical emergency team member, ammunitioning or ceremonial duties.
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 - Technical
Join the ADF and receive full trade training
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.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Applicants may be required to undertake category training modules as necessary to align their civilian trade with the military category. The number of modules and duration of training will be determined by the Training Authority.
The RPL process will occur in two stages:
- The first stage will consist of an assessment of RPL against the Royal Australian Navy recognised trade qualifications during the recruitment phase, to determine if Qualified Entry Sailor - Technical (QES-T) status can be awarded
- The second stage of assessment of RPL will be conducted during recruit training, and is to determine the level of advance standing to be granted. This will determine which pathway the trainee will undertake to obtain additional competencies, underpinning knowledge and skills to meet the Navy's requirements
RPL may involve a desktop audit and/or a personal interview convened for the RPL applicant with a trained RPL assessor and a subject matter expert. Trade and other certificates, course result sheets and evidence of On Job Training (OJT) and life experience are presented at the interview for verification. The RPL assessor and the subject matter expert will interview the applicant in order to determine whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge and experience to be granted recognition of the subject module of training or competency outcome. The RPL interview may involve a test, including theory and/or practical work as required.
RPL may be granted to technical trainees at all levels provided the required competency level can be demonstrated. The aim of RPL is to reduce the amount of training the Navy is required to provide, and minimise the amount of time a sailor spends under training. It is not possible to guarantee the granting of RPL for any particular qualification, competency or experience before a full RPL assessment takes place. Applicants should be aware that even though they may possess trade qualifications other than those listed, the qualification may not satisfy Navy's requirements and prevent them achieving QES-T status.
ETSM sailors achieving QES-T status will be afforded the rank of Recruit on entry, with promotion to Provisional Able Seaman on successful completion of Recruit training, providing approval for the transfer to QES-T has been granted.
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
For the General Entry, Electronic Technician Sailor Category, you must have successfully completed Year 10 with passes in English, Mathematics and Science (preferably with Physics content).
Note: Consumer Maths, Maths in Society and similarly 'modified' maths are not suitable for this job. Yr 10 Trade and
Business Maths is acceptable.
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 three 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: 41 weeks
Location: HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point, Victoria
This course consists of technical theory and practical instruction and self-paced computer aided instruction. Some of the topics will include, but are not limited to:
- Fabricating, assembling and dismantling components
- Fault finding and repairing complex power supplies
- Solving electronic communications system problems
- Selecting electronic components for assembly
- Assembling, setting up and testing computing devices
- Using engineering applications software
- Installing and configuring client computer operating systems and software
- Setting up and configuring basic local area networks (LAN)
At the end of category training instead of joining the surface fleet directly you will be posted to the Submarine Training and Systems Centre to undertake your submarine specialisation training.
Duration: 11 - 15 weeks dependent of specialisation
Location: HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point, Victoria
The specialisation course commences after completion of Initial Technical Training. Here you will commence your work group training being a Systems or Communications rate. You will consolidate your training from Initial Technical Training and learn basic principles and theories for your specialisation.
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 how the systems and construction make up the submarines. You will also undertake Submarine Firefighting and Submarine Escape courses during this 5-week period.
Duration: 5 months
Location: HMAS Stirling, Perth WA
Designed to give you the requisite knowledge to undertake the job as part of the submarine technical and tactical departments.
This course includes but is not limited to operating and maintaining:
- Combat systems (tracking systems, firing functions and networks)
- Navigational aids systems (echo sounders, RADAR, satellite navigation and inertial navigation)
- Internal and external submarine communication systems (high frequency and satellite communications)
Upon successful completion of training, you will be posted to an available training billet onboard a submarine to undertake the Submarine Sea Qualification (SMSQ) task book. The task book is used to consolidate all the knowledge you have learnt to earn your Dolphins. Further information is available on the Submariner pages.
Further Training
To provide Electronics Technician submariners with the appropriate continuing level of training, submariners are also provided with common and specialist training at promotion from Leading Seaman to Petty Officer to Chief Petty Officer and to Warrant Officer ranks.
As Electronics Technician submariners progress in their Navy careers and complete further technical training and associated competencies, they may be entitled to the award of National Qualifications of Certificate IV in Electronics and Communications to Diploma in Electronics and Communications. Some submariners may have the opportunity to be selected into the Engineer Officer ranks to further their studies via Advanced Diploma or Degree entry schemes.