Watercraft Operator
As a Watercraft Operator, you’ll operate a variety of specialist watercraft, including amphibious craft and perform operator maintenance on Army marine vessels. You’ll also transport all forms of cargo across the sea, inland water ways and ship to Logistic Over The Shore (LOTS) operations. Postings can include Land Unit and Specialist Forces.
What you'll do
You’ll operate the Army fleet of landing craft and amphibious vehicles, many forms of road transport, and work as part of a team that delivers cargo and combat supplies across the marine domain. To perform these tasks, you’ll have access to a selection of amphibious and Army landing craft, such as LCM-8 watercraft, LARC V, small watercraft up to 6m and Noosa Cat. You’ll also potentially have the opportunity to operate light, medium and heavy cargo trucks.
Your duties may include:
- operating Army watercraft and amphibious craft
- performing deck hand duties on board Army watercraft
- operating weapons fitted to amphibious and landing craft
- operating communication and electronic navigation equipment.
In addition, tasks performed by deckhands include:
- general seamanship duties and cooking duties
- lookout duties and watches in port or at sea under all weather and sea conditions by day or night
- assisting the coxswain
- basic navigation procedures including steering a vessel under direction of the officer of the watch
- correctly applying collision regulations
- operating military and civilian communication radio equipment
- compiling craft documentation
- emergency drills including those for water survival, fire, abandon ship, damage control and man overboard
- undertaking command responsibilities in an emergency including command of allocated life rafts
- maintaining splicing of mooring lines
- assisting with emergency propeller and shaft changes
- carrying out basic fault finding on outboard motors and general equipment
- undertaking supervised maintenance of craft and equipment
- employing marine anti-pollution techniques
- operating and maintaining craft armament and ancillary equipment
- docking procedures and operating watercraft hydraulic winches and capstans during mooring, anchoring and well dock operations
- supervising embarked passengers
- assisting with the loading and unloading of watercraft and amphibious craft.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Army will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training to strengthen your skillset. This will help you to command and run a highly skilled team of soldiers and the employment of their equipment.
Following training, you could be posted to Townsville in Qld. Other posting opportunities may become available as you progress in your career, these include:
- Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney, NSW
- Larrakeyah Barracks, Darwin, NT
- Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Qld
- Regional Force Surveillance Group (RFSG), Cairns, Qld, Darwin, NT and Karratha, WA
- Robertson Barracks, Darwin, NT
- Ross Island Barracks, Townsville, Qld
- Swanbourne Barracks, Perth, WA.
From 2026, there may also be future location opportunities within Brisbane, Qld, Cairns, Qld, and Darwin, NT.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 56 years.
For this role, you’ll need an Australian state or territory full, provisional or probationary C Class licence. If your licence is suspended or cancelled, you won’t be eligible until that suspension or cancellation has been lifted or has expired.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education required with passes in English and Maths. If you haven't completed Year 10 but are interested in joining, the ADF may be able to support your application.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 4
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Push-ups: 8
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
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’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 4 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
In addition to being able to pass the Army swim test, you must be capable of passing the Maritime swim test, which involves swimming 100 metres (using any stroke) whilst wearing your uniform and boots and (without leaving the water) remain afloat out of depth for 5 minutes.
Course: Army Recruit Course
Duration: 13 weeks
Location: Kapooka, Wagga Wagga, NSW
During training, you'll take part in physical training, weapon handling, and shooting, first aid, drill, and field craft. You'll be challenged both mentally and physically.
Although it can be demanding, most recruits gain a sense of achievement, purpose, and confidence during basic training, and on completion of the course feel justifiably proud of what they have accomplished. The priority of our instructors is to help you succeed.
Key components of the course include:
- Physical Fitness: Structured training to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness, preparing you for the physical demands of Army life.
- Field Craft: Learn how to live and operate in field conditions, including camouflage, movement techniques, and working in outdoor environments.
- Weapons Handling and Marksmanship: Safe handling, maintenance, and use of Army-issued weapons, and participating in live-fire exercises.
- Drill and Discipline: Develop attention to detail, teamwork and discipline through parade drill and military routine.
- First Aid and Battlefield Casualty Care: Gain essential life-saving skills and learn how to respond to injuries in both training and operational environments.
- Military Skills and Knowledge: Introduction to Army structure, values, customs, and basic soldier responsibilities.
- Resilience and Teamwork: Build mental resilience and learn to work effectively within a team in high-pressure situations.
On successful completion of the Army Recruit Course, you’ll participate in a Graduation Parade and have the opportunity to invite family and friends to view the parade. You’ll then move on to your Initial Employment Training (IET), where you’ll learn the specific skills required for your chosen role.
Course: RACT Royal Australian Corps of Transport Initial Employment Training (IET) Driver Course
Duration: 54 days
Location: Road Transport Wing, Army Logistic Training Centre, Puckapunyal, Vic
Medium Rigid Truck (40M) and Heavy Rigid (HX77) qualification pending suitability.
Course: Marine Specialist Basic Course
Duration: 36 days
Location: Maritime Wing, Army Logistic Training Centre, Townsville, Qld
Note: Course duration may vary depending on public holidays and other Army requirements.