Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic Submariner
As a Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic Submariner, you’ll play an important role keeping Navy submarines fully operational and mission-ready. You’ll be responsible for operating and maintaining propulsion systems onboard submarines, operating submarine mechanical and electrical systems from the control room and machinery spaces, and conducting real-time repairs at sea.
What you'll do
A typical day will see you working in a team of highly trained Navy technicians, operating engineering systems and conducting maintenance to ensure the mechanical systems onboard remain mission capable. Specifically, you’ll work on the submarine’s diesel engines and auxiliary systems, including the water, and fuel and oil systems.
You'll also work towards a Certificate III in Engineering - Fixed Mobile and Plant Mechanic and have opportunities to obtain further qualifications (up to and including a Diploma) over the course of your career.Your duties may include:
- keeping watch in the control room and operating masts and periscopes, water and air systems, the induction and exhaust system (supporting underwater diesel engine operation), and the air conditioning, hydraulic and fire protection systems
- operating and maintaining propulsion systems, including the main engines and driving system as well as the emergency propulsion unit
- operating and maintaining water systems, including seawater and freshwater, cooling water, and drinking water and equipment
- operating and maintaining fuel and lubricating oil systems, including refuelling and defueling the submarine
- inspecting and testing repair work carried out by crew and contractors to ensure the highest standards of safety and technical performance
- leading the emergency response (damage control).
As a submariner, you'll also perform additional general duties that support the whole submarine, including:
- emergency response (damage control)
- submarine 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. This 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
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 57 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 English and Maths. If you haven't completed Year 10 but are interested in joining, the ADF may be able to support your application.
Note: Consumer Maths, Maths in Society and similarly 'modified' maths are not suitable for this job. Year 10 Trade and Business Maths is acceptable.
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.
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.
You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 3 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.
For this role, you’ll require a Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) Security Clearance.
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: Marine Technician Initial Technical Training
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: Technical Training Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Vic
This course will provide you with the appropriate level of underpinning knowledge and skills required to successfully complete the subsequent trade and marine system technician components of Initial Employment Training.
Marine Technician Submariner – Propulsion Employment Training
Course: Stage 1 – Marine Technician Propulsion Initial Technical Training
Duration: 21 weeks
Location: Technical Training Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Vic
Course: Stage 2 – Marine Technician Propulsion Initial Employment Training (TAFE MEM31419)
Duration: 19 weeks
Location: Dandenong TAFE, Vic
This course is offered as an Intensive Delivery Method through HMAS Cerberus, with the Task Evidence Journal being completed as part of the apprenticeship after joining the Submarine Force. On completion of the Intensive Delivery Method and Task Evidence Journal, you’ll be awarded the Certificate III in Engineering – Fixed Mobile and Plant Mechanics.
Course: Marine Systems Foundation
Duration: 14 weeks
Location: Technical Training Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Vic
Course: Navy Specific Marine Technician – Propulsion Training
Duration: 3 weeks
Location: Technical Training Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Vic
Course: Initial Collins Class Course
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: Submarine Training Systems Centre, HMAS Stirling, WA
Consists of a series of computer-based and instructor-based module that will introduce you to submarine systems and construction. You will also undertake Submarine Firefighting and Submarine Escape courses during this 5-week period.
Course: Submariner Platform Systems Operator Course
Duration: 7 weeks
Location: Submarine Training Systems Centre, HMAS Stirling, WA
You’ll have opportunities to obtain further qualifications as you advance through the Marine Technician Submariner - Propulsion Career Continuum, including:
- Certificate IV in Fixed Mobile and Plant Mechanics
- Diploma in Engineering.