During Initial Employment Training, you will gain the underpinning knowledge towards a Certificate III in Engineering. Upon successful completion of Initial Employment Training and Trade Training, MT Sailors will be issued a Trade Profile 21 Journal. 

During their first sea posting, MT sailors will be required to compile and record all trade experience evidence in their journals oOnce sufficient evidence has been collected, it will be presented to the relevant Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to permit the award of a Certificate III in their nominated trade. Additionally, members gain the underpinning knowledge towards the achievement of National MAR Qualifications, MAR20413, MAR30813 and MAR40513. Marine technical sailors are required to progress and obtain platform operator qualifications during their sea postings. Each qualification aligns with a skill grade and pay group increase. The Marine System Technician (MST) aligns with the Certificate II on Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 Near Coastal). The MST is first MT RAN operator qualification. The Marine Systems Controller (MSC) operator qualification aligns with a Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 Near Coastal), and the Marine Systems Manager (MSM) operator qualification: Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 Near Coastal).

All Sailors will serve in fleet units and shore establishments on a rotational basis.

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) or Direct Entry Tradesperson (DET) status can be awarded.
• The second phase 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 / DET status.

MT sailors achieving QES-T /DET 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 / DET has been granted. List of Trades recognised by Navy as potentially being eligible for RPL is as follows:

Marine Technician DET

RAN Diesel Maintainer

• Certificate III in Automotive Heavy Vehicle-Agricultural Mechanic (AQF)
• Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical (Heavy Vehicle Mobile Equip) (AQF)
• Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical (Heavy Vehicle Road Transport) (AQF)
• Certificate III in Heavy Vehicle Mechanic-Road Transport
• Certificate of Proficiency Automotive (Marine Technical)
• Certificate III in Automotive (Mechanical-Diesel Fitter)
• Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical (Maintenance Diesel Fitter)
• Certificate III in Marine Mechanics Trade
• Certificate IV (AQF) in Engineering-Higher Engineering Trade- (MEM40198) (Diesel/Fabrication/Welding)

Motor Mechanics (Diesel)

RAN Electrical Maintainer

• Certificate III in Engineering (Electrical)
• Certificate III in Electrical-Mechanical-Fitter/ Mechanic-
• Electrical Engineering-Power-Diploma (AQF)
• Certificate III in Electrotechnology Systems Electrician
• Certificate IV in Electrotechnology Systems Electrician
• Electrical Fitter Mechanic (Electrical Trades) (1093)
• Certificate III in Engineering-Electrical/Electronic Trade- (MEM30498)

RAN Hull Maintainer/Fabricator

• Certificate III in Engineering-Fabrication Trade
• Marine Technician QES-T
• Metals and Engineering Training Package (MEM)
• Electro-technology Training Package (UEE)
• Automotive Industry Retail, Service and Repair Training Package (AUR)
• Electricity Supply Industry – Generation Sector Training Package (UEP)
• Maritime Training Package (MAR)
• Maritime Training Package (TDM)

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.

For the General Entry Marine Technician Sailor Category, you must have successfully completed Year 10, with passes in English, Mathematics and Science.

Note: Consumer Maths, Maths in Society and similarly 'modified' maths are not suitable for this job. Yr 10 Trade and Business Maths is acceptable.

To be appointed, you must be medically and physically fit for entry into the ADF. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination. You will also be required to pass a physical fitness test before appointment.

You must also pass the swim test and physical fitness test to graduate from your Navy Training and to proceed to the Safety of Life at Sea Training that is a requirement for Recruit School.

Pre-entry Fitness Assessment (PFA):

You will be required to pass a Pre-entry Fitness Assessment (PFA) before enlistment. The PFA requires you to complete a specified number of sit-ups and a timed cardio component. Fitness standards differ for selected age groups. Please refer to the Navy - Health and Fitness page for further details.

Royal Australian Navy Swim Test (RANST):

The RANST is conducted 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:

• A safety jump off a 3m tower in overalls
• A 10m underwater swim in overalls
• A 50m swim using three safety strokes
• The ability to tread water or float for 15 mins in overalls

Note: You will find it much easier to pass the swimming test if you undertake swimming training before you join.

All personnel will undertake the RANST upon entry and competency is to be achieved before the end of your initial military training.

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.

You will be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of six years. On enlistment if you elect to serve an open ended enlistment, you will be able to serve until retirement age, subject to your continued suitability for service. If you elect to serve for a fixed period of service, subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service.

If you are female and keen to join the Navy as an Marine Technician, you have the option of enlisting for an Initial Minimum Period of Service of two years.

Your Careers Coach can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation.

Further Requirements

• Well-developed hand-skills and hand-eye coordination
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills required to formulate repair schemes
• Appreciation of safety requirements
• Good attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure
• Comfortable working in confined spaces and
• Resourcefulness and common sense

Online Aptitude Testing (OAT) is completed as part of the application process to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Some jobs may also require you to complete additional testing at a later date.

OAT is used by Defence to establish suitability for ADF entry, and then identify jobs that best match your abilities.

Further information about OAT can be found in the Guide to Online Aptitude Testing for the ADF.

To get a feel for the types of questions that are used in an Online Aptitude Test and how they will look on your screen some examples can be found in the Online Aptitude Testing Example Questions.

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 Defence Force Recruiting Centre.

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.

Course: New Entry Sailor Course (NESC)
Duration: 9 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.

Course: Initial Technical Training - Marine Technician (ITT-MT)

Location: Technical Training Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point, Victoria

Duration: 14 Weeks

This course provides MT sailors with the appropriate level of underpinning knowledge and skills required to successfully complete the subsequent Trade and Marine System Technician components of Initial Employment Training. Upon successful completion of ITT Sailors will be streamlined to a specific trade.
Whilst individual wishes for trade streaming are considered, Navy workforce requirements, and ITT Course results will dictate subsequent trade selection.

Course: Certificate III Trade Training

Location: Technical Training Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point, Victoria

Duration: 35-40 Weeks

On completion of ITT-MT, MT Sailors are required to complete Technical Trade Training in one of three trade streams: Diesel, Electrical or Hull maintenance and Fabrication. This course encompasses all classroom theory and practical trade training required to progress an MT sailor towards a nationally recognised Certificate III qualification.
During their first sea posting, MT sailors will be required to compile and record all trade experience evidence in their electronic, Profile 21 trade journals. Once sufficient evidence has been collected, it will be presented to the relevant Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to permit the award of a Certificate III in their nominated trade.

Course: Marine System Technician Common and Platform (Ship) Specific

Location: Technical Training Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point, Victoria and various locations around Australia.

Duration: 9-19  Weeks

All MT trainees will consolidate MST Common by completing a 24 hour Rite of passage. This training simulates the watchkeeping and maintenance duties that the sailors will experience in an engineering environment at sea, and involves the operation of marine diesels and associated systems.

MT Sailors will complete modules to prepare them for their first sea posting. Modules comprise:

• Steering Gear Systems;
• Stabiliser Systems;
• Diesel Generators;
• Electrical Switchboards;
• Air Compressors;
• Desalination Plants (Evaporators and reverse Osmosis);
• Sewage Treatment Plants;
• Air Conditioning Systems;
• Refrigeration Systems;
• Pumping Systems; and
• Ship’s Boats.

These modules cover common and platform specific systems.

On completion of MST Common, MT sailors will be posted to the relevant platform-specific MST course. These courses are delivered at various locations around Australia; the location and duration of the course depends on the ship class to which the MT sailor is being posted.