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Navy Sailor

State/Territory Specific Information

Navy sailors undertake a wide range of peacetime and wartime work on land and at sea, including communications, supply, seamanship, motor transport, combat systems operation, hospitality and stores.

Navy sailors perform a range of specialised tasks which may include:

  • performing general seamanship duties on board Navy ships

operating specialist equipment, vehicles and weapons systems

  • compiling data for hydrographic surveys of Australia's coastline and approaches
  • providing catering, health, safety, comfort Navy personnel
  • maintaining and servicing administration systems
  • performing in Navy bands
  • completing a wide variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tasks.

Specialisations:

A Navy sailor may specialise as an:

  • Acoustic Warfare Analyst who works in submarines to monitor the presence of vessels in the maritime environment. This is achieved by detecting and analysing noise patterns from unknown sources.
  • Boatswain's Mate who performs general seamanship duties on board Navy ships. They handle the berthing of ships, use ship's boats and small arms, and maintain the ship and its fixtures.
  • Clearance Diver who is responsible for military diving tasks which may include the securing and disposal of missiles, projectiles, explosives and the safe demolition of maritime assets. This role is currently available only to male recruits.
  • Combat Systems Operator who works in the operations room with sensor equipment such as sonar and radar, providing combat data and operations planning support.
  • Combat Systems Operator (Mine Warfare) who operates the combat data system on board the Navy's Mine Hunters, including underwater mine disposal vehicles, radars, sonars and navigation systems.
  • Communication and Information Systems Sailor who is responsible for sending information into, out of and around a ship or base, using radio, satellite equipment and Local Area Networks (LAN).
  • Cook who caters and prepares food for Navy personnel both onshore and in ships and submarines.
  • Dental Assistant who helps with dental procedures, writes reports and looks after the accounting and appointment records.
  • Electronic Warfare Sailor who works in the operations room of a warship or a Naval Communication Station using weapons sensors and communications equipment. They can work as linguists, technicians or analysts.
  • Hydrographic Surveyor who works on board Navy research vessels assisting in compiling data for hydrographic surveys of Australia's coastline and approaches.
  • Medical Sailor who assists with patient care and comfort, hygiene and nursing care, and emergency medical and pre-hospital care of Navy personnel.
  • Musician who performs in Navy bands at concerts, ceremonies, parades and dances, playing a range of musical styles including classical pieces, rock, jazz and swing.
  • Steward who is responsible for the administration and general running of the Officer's Mess, providing hospitality services such as table preparation, bar services and cabin care for officers.
  • Stores Naval Sailor who is responsible for the administration and stock control of Naval Stores items.
  • Writer who is employed within the Navy's personnel organisation as an administrator to run the office on a ship or base, handling pay, accounts and general clerical work or as the personal assistant to a Commanding Officer on a warship.

Personal Requirements:

  • Australian citizenship or permanent residency
  • at least 17 years of age
  • meet aptitude and medical requirements.

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