Electronics Engineer - ADF Gap Year
On an Electronics Engineer Gap Year, you’ll spend 12 months discovering what it’s like to be one of the Navy’s electronics and combat systems experts while getting paid to travel, both at sea and to different Navy bases around Australia.
You’ll gain skills for life in your 12-month gap year experience. Along the way, you’ll benefit from incredible support and training, make lifelong friends and get a unique insight into life in the Navy.
What you'll do
You’ll shadow the Navy's expert Electronics Engineers as they go about their duties, managing teams of technicians, coordinating and scheduling tasks, and providing advice to Command. By working alongside experienced engineers and sailors, you’ll become immersed in a world of complex equipment across radar, sonar, communication, navigation, and weapons systems, as well as getting the opportunity to contribute to operations.
Your duties may include:
- operating and maintaining sophisticated combat, communication, navigation, radar, sonar and weapons systems
- contributing to Navy exercises and operations.
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
After finishing your Gap Year program, you can apply to start an exciting career as a full-time Navy Officer. You can apply for entry into the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) or to conduct further Navy job category training for your role.
There is no obligation to serve in the ADF beyond the 12-month Gap Year program period. You can take your new skills and experiences to gain an edge in future careers outside the ADF.
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.
The Shore Establishment tour, which you’ll undertake after training, may include visits to:
- HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell, Nowra, NSW
- Fleet Base East, HMAS Penguin, HMAS Watson and HMAS Waterhen, Sydney, NSW
- Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, Rockingham, WA.
Assignment to Sea Deployment and Shore Employment at Establishments could be in a range of locations around Australia.
Discover where the Navy operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Requirements and training
You need to be an Australian citizen to be eligible for the ADF Gap Year program.
You must be aged between 17 and 24 years of age at the time of your enlistment or appointment. For Navy, you must be 18 years of age by the completion of your Initial Military Training.
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.
You’ll need to have completed Year 12 with an ATAR that meets the minimum requirements as well as passes in English and 3 other board accredited academic subjects. ATAR requirements are available here on the UNSW Website, under Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical) in the ADFA Trainee Officers tab.
Applications can be considered if you are yet to complete Year 12 and are tracking towards the required ATAR.
If you would like any more information on ADFA and opportunities, visit our ADFA page.
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.
Your Gap Year experience will commence at the start of the year and will conclude 12 months later. Subsequent periods of service in the Regular or Reserve ADF may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may request discharge at any time by providing 21 days’ notice.
If you are currently or have previously served in the ADF or foreign service, you’re not eligible for Gap Year. You must be an Australian Citizen to be eligible for the Gap Year Program.
Course: New Entry Officers' Course (NEOC)
Duration: 18 weeks
Location: HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay, NSW
You’ll begin your career by completing NEOC immediately upon entry into the Navy. NEOC is conducted in January and July each year at the Royal Australian Naval College. This is designed to teach the knowledge, skills and attributes required to be an effective junior naval officer.
NEOC course
- Physical fitness: General fitness, adventure training and the Navy swim test.
- Military life: Discipline, mannerisms, uniform procedures and Defence studies.
- Specialty skills: Small arms weapons training, first aid and survival at sea.
- Navy skills: Drill and ceremonial procedures, officer of the day duties, rank structure and Naval history.
- Leadership skills: High Functioning Teams Training and Military Resilience Training.
- Personal development: Leadership and management (including practical exercises), effective oral and written communication methods.
Establishment Tour
You’ll travel around Australia to tour various Navy bases to see the wide variety of Navy platforms, including submarines, patrol boats, helicopters and major warships.
Sea Deployment Tour
You’ll complete a sea deployment on either a major or minor warship, which will provide you with valuable insight into Navy officer job roles at sea.
Job Role Rotation Period
You’ll be provided with the opportunity to rotate through a common selection of workgroup sites, including both training centres and workplaces. At the conclusion of the rotation period, you’ll undertake tailored work experience.
Job Role Specific Tailored Work Experience
You’ll undertake a minimum of 2 months' work experience in Navy engineering, receiving exposure to a range of Electronics Engineering Officer roles. Work experience placements are dependent on availability.