Navy
Full Time

Electronic Warfare Operator

Full Time
In-service title: Electronic Warfare Operator

Period of Service requirements: General Entry Sailor roles now have an Initial Minimum Period of Service of either 2 or 3 years for all applicants.

As an Electronic Warfare Operator, you’ll see what others can’t by intercepting, identifying and analysing electronic signals passing through the air. Your analysis will give your team early warning of any potential threats and unknown entities within the ship’s area.

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electronic warfare systems operator

What you'll do

You’ll identify the unknown and provide support to your team through intelligence and surveillance, at sea and ashore. You’ll also be employing electronic attack capabilities to jam, deceive or disrupt enemy communications, radar, and electronic systems, denying Australia’s adversaries the effective use of the electromagnetic spectrum. By using your analytical and intelligence gathering skills, you’ll assist Navy to defend against threats at sea.

Your duties may include:

  • identifying, tracking and locating nearby ships, aircraft, radars, missiles and weapons using electronic intelligence and surveillance equipment
  • operating electronic warfare equipment and anti-ship missile defence systems
  • using sensors and countermeasures
  • using high-powered jamming signals to deceive electronic sensors and prevent attacks
  • providing recommendations to Command.

You'll also perform additional general duties that support the whole ship, including:

  • ship security, firefighting and replenishment at sea
  • boarding party, first aid, flood repair and flight deck
  • assisting with medical, ammunitioning or ceremonial duties
  • shift work, or on-call duties as required.

Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Navy will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training within your chosen role will set you up to run a highly skilled team of sailors in a variety of tasks both at sea and ashore.

Following training, you could be based at one of the many Navy facilities located around the country. Depending on your job, you’ll work at sea with periods spent ashore at your vessel’s home base. 

Discover where the Navy operates across Australia on our base locations map. 

Requirements and training

About entry methods
No experience required
General Entry: Non-technical
Requirements
Citizenship

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.

Age

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.

Licences

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

Security requirements

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.

Education and experience

Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education required with passes in English and Maths. A pass in Science (Physics component) is desirable. If you haven't completed Year 10 but are interested in joining, the ADF may be able to support your application.

Health and fitness

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 a questionnaire about your medical history and a physical examination. 

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
  • 50m swim using survival strokes
  • treading water or floating for 15 minutes.

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’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.

Additional requirements
For this role, you’ll require a Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) Security Clearance.
Training
Military training

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.
  • Military skills: Weapons training, workplace safety, first aid and sailing.
  • Navy skills: Seamanship, 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.

Employment training

Course: Initial Electronic Warfare Course
Duration: 22 weeks
Location: HMAS Watson, Watsons Bay, Sydney, NSW and HMAS Stirling, Rockingham, WA

Course description:

During this course you’ll undergo your initial Electronic Warfare and emission analysis technique training. On completion of this phase of training you’ll remain at HMAS Watson to undergo further ship specific and equipment application training.

This course will cover:

  • Electronic warfare theory, including basic radar/radio theory and mathematics
  • Introduction to electronic warfare: electronic support, electronic attack, electronic protection and the electromagnetic spectrum
  • Introduction to the Action Information Organisation, including voice reporting procedures over radio circuits, communications, display boards, roles and responsibilities
  • Regional threats
  • Associated radar to weapon systems
  • Equipment application courses: Electronic Support, Command and Control, and Introduction to the Common Operating Picture.