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 58 years.

You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.

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 Year 10 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 Navy, it's important that you meet the necessary medical and physical requirements. Regular exercise prior to joining will set you up for success as it is an important part of training and service life.

Once you join, Navy will support your physical conditioning to ensure you're prepared to serve. You'll also have access to chef-made meals, gyms, sports and fitness sessions run by physical training instructors. Throughout your Navy career, you’ll be expected to conduct an annual fitness test which includes a plank as well as either a beep test or run/walk or swim.

During the application process, you’ll be assessed through questionnaire about your medical history and a physical examination.

Medical

While there are no specific weight standards, you’ll be required to meet the current Body Mass Index (BMI) limits for entry into this role. As Aircrew are required to use radio communications, you’ll also need to have speech that is clear and free from impediment. You’ll also need to meet additional height requirements as follows:

Height

• Height – minimum 152cm
• Sitting Height – maximum 95cm .

The role of Aircrew requires a higher level of swimming proficiency than most other Navy categories. In addition to the Navy swim test, you’ll also need to complete the Air Force Swim Test and Rescue Swimmer Specialist Training courses during your employment training.

The Navy swim test

During Navy Military Training, whether heading to the New Entry Sailor Course (Recruit School) or the New Entry Officer Course, you'll need to pass a swim test wearing your uniform to graduate. This includes:

• safety jump off a 3m tower
• 10m underwater swim in overalls
• 50m swim using 3 safety strokes
• treading water or floating for 15 minutes in overalls.

RAAF Swim test

To complete the RAAF SERE-C (Combat Survival course), you’ll need to complete the RAAF Swim.

• 200m swim – first 150m forward facing stroke in overalls.

Rescue Swimmer Acceptance Test (RSAT)

Prior to completing Pre-Rotary Course, trainee Aircrew will be expected to successfully complete the RSAT fully clothed, including:

• a tower jump (from a height no greater than 8m)
• treading water unaided for 20 minutes
• swimming underwater for 10 metres without breaking the surface
• lifting and carrying 2 x 20 kg containers
• using a duck dive of feet first descent to retrieve an object of at least 5 kilograms in weight from a minimum depth of 2 metres.

Tip: You’ll 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.

You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 2 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.

You’ll need to successfully complete the Aircrewman Selection Board to be recommended to undertake further training. If you're not selected for further training based on the Aircrewman Selection Board Order of Merit, you may be required to transfer to another employment workgroup (subject to Navy requirements).

Course: New Entry Sailor Course (NESC)
Duration: 10 weeks
Location: Recruit School at HMAS Cerberus, Vic

You’ll conduct your initial sailor training at the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Recruit School prior to commencing specific category training. The NESC course is designed to prepare you to conduct basic duties as a sailor.

NESC Course

• 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.

After successfully completing all components of the course, you’ll participate in a Graduation Parade to mark the occasion. You’ll have the opportunity to invite family and friends to view the parade.

On completion of your NESC course, you’ll proceed to your respective employment training.

Course: Aircrewman Selection Board (ASB)
Duration: 3 days
Location: Naval Air Station, HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW

During the selection process, the Aircrewman Selection Board (consisting of a President, a Senior Aircrew and a Psychologist) will assess your suitability based on the following criteria:

• knowledge of the Aircrewman category and the training required
• knowledge of the MH-60R and sensor operator role
• intellectual and social drives
• leadership potential
• motivation
• communication skills
• vocational compatibility
• basic arithmetic.

The Board President will debrief you on your selection standing and you’ll need to successfully complete the ASB to be recommended to undertake further training. If not selected for further training based on the ASB Order of Merit, you may be required to transfer to another employment workgroup (subject to Navy requirements).

Course: Pre-Rotary Course
Duration: 3 months
Location: Naval Air Station, HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW

Topics include:

• helicopter underwater escape training
• aviation medicine
• aviation survival equipment
• aviation risk management
• mission sensor employment course
• transportations of dangerous goods
• first aid and CPR
• rescue swimmer acceptance test.

Course: Mission Sensor Employment Course (MSEC)
Duration: 8 weeks
Location: Naval Air Station, HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW

Topics include:

• basic acoustics
• introduction to aircraft mission sensors including EO camera’s, radar, sonobuoys, dipping sonar and ESM
• surface and sub-surface target tracking
• surface warfare
• sub-surface warfare.

Course: Rotary Course Aircrew
Duration: 6 months
Location: Naval Air Station, HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW

Topics include:

• principles of flight
• aircraft technical
• aviation meteorology
• air traffic control procedures
• basic flying operations
• external load lift operations
• winching operations
• wireman techniques
• night flying operations
• introduction to search and rescue
• embarked flight operations.

On successful completion of the Pre-Rotary Course and the Rotary Course Aircrew, you’ll be awarded your wings and classified as Naval Aircrew. On completion of these 2 courses, you’ll consolidate your knowledge and apply your new practical skills in the air on the following course.

Course: Operational Flying Training
Duration: One year
Location: Naval Air Station, HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW

You’ll train, develop and mentor the world’s best Romeo Aviators to support Australia’s maritime combat helicopter requirements, now and in the future. The MH-60R Seahawk is the Navy's next generation submarine hunter and anti-surface warfare helicopter and will form a very important part of operations for years to come.

Course: Aviation Medicine
Duration: One week
Location: Institute of Aviation Medicine at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA

You’ll learn to understand and manage the physiological challenges of flight such as G-forces and hypoxia.

Course: Combat Survival Training
Duration: 3 weeks
Location: Combat Survival Training School at RAAF Base Townsville

You’ll learn how to survive in difficult and hostile environments during domestic and combat downed aircraft scenarios using SERE – Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape.

Course: Helicopter Underwater Escape Training
Duration: One day
Location: HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW

In a state-of-the-art facility, you’ll learn how to safely exit a submerged helicopter, both with and without emergency breathing devices, as well as other sea survival techniques.

Sub Specialist Option

Follow-on training may be available to Navy Aircrew:

Qualified Aircrewman Instructor: Teach others the skills that you have learnt on your way to become Navy Aircrew.