Hydrographic Surveyor
As a Hydrographic Surveyor, you’ll contribute to the Navy’s understanding of the maritime environment. You’ll participate in the collection of hydrographic, oceanographic, and meteorological data within the maritime environment to enable the safe navigation of Navy vessels.
What you'll do
When serving at sea or deployed, you’ll work from a Hydrographic Ship, or from a range of ships and locations, as a member of a small team tasked with collecting and analysing hydrographic data. You'll be trained to operate cutting-edge sensor technology, including some of the most advanced Autonomous systems in the world. As a team member of the Deployable Geospatial Survey Team, you’ll operate the latest Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS). You’ll also provide specialist support from shore, working in the training environment or within the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO) to support maritime operations. AGO assesses the physical operating environment, above and below water, to determine how it can be best used to a gain strategic, operational or tactical advantage.
Your first posting will likely be to a unit such as HMAS Leeuwin, Qld, or to a deployable specialised team known as the Maritime Geospatial Warfare Unit who conducts a range of Geospatial Military Survey Exercises and Operations where you’ll hone your skills as a surveyor. A typical survey period generally involves deploying to sea on a Hydrographic Ship for approximately 8-12 weeks, which is broken up by a port visit every 2 or 3 weeks. In between survey deployments, you’ll also work in your home port for periods of 8-10 weeks.
Your duties may include:
- collecting and processing environmental data using state-of-the-art computer systems and equipment such as multi-beam and single beam echo-sounders, sonar, robotic and autonomous systems, GPS and other navigation systems
- collecting and analysing oceanographic data by taking seabed samples, observing water clarity and temperature, measuring the speed of sound through water, and observing bioluminescence
- conducting tide camps, field operations, short notice, rapid data collection activities and activities in support of the landing of logistical support during disaster relief operations at home and abroad
- seamanship duties including anchor work, rope work, small boat handling and operations, berthing, and towing, deploying and recovering surveying equipment such as side scan sonars and moving vessel profilers.
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. If, within the first 12 months of being a Hydrographic Surveyor, you have been well reported on (similar to a school report card), you can expect to be promoted to an Able Seaman Hydrographic Systems Operator (ABHSO). As an ABHSO you may be required to complete additional courses such as Navigator's Yeoman, Gunner's Yeoman or Shipborne Lifesaving and Survival Equipment Maintainer to enable you to undertake further duties on a survey platform or in Navy survey teams. You’ll also have opportunities to be posted to a deployable unit, which deploys domestically and internationally in service of both military and civilian requirements (in support of humanitarian and disaster recovery activities e.g. post-natural disaster efforts).
If you are well reported on, you’ll become eligible for promotion to Leading Seaman Hydrographic Systems Operator (LSHSO). To prepare you for promotion to LSHSO, you’ll be placed on the Intermediate Seamanship (HSS) Course, Intermediate Hydrographic Systems Course and the Leading Seaman Leadership and Management Course. These courses will help you develop your leadership skills and prepare you for greater responsibility as an LSHSO.
Then if you’re well reported on, you may become eligible for promotion to Petty Officer Hydrographic Systems Manager (POHSM). To prepare you for promotion to POHSM, you’ll be placed on the Advanced Seamanship (HSS/CSS) Course, H2 Hydrographic Surveying Course and the Petty Officer Leadership and Management Course. These courses will help you develop your leadership skills and prepare you for greater responsibility as a Senior Sailor.
Following training, you could be based at one of the many Navy facilities located around the country. You’ll serve in fleet units (Cairns, Sydney) and shore establishments (Cairns, Sydney, Wollongong, Canberra) on a rotational basis.
Discover where the Navy operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Through the adoption and delivery of leading edge Geospatial Autonomous systems has been very rewarding – I have direct involvement in providing real world enhanced maritime domain awareness.
Through the adoption and delivery of leading edge Geospatial Autonomous systems has been very rewarding – I have direct involvement in providing real world enhanced maritime domain awareness.
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 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 English, Maths and Science (preferably with a Physics component).
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.
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 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.
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: Basic Seamanship Lite Course
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: HMAS Cerberus, Vic
This course covers all aspects of basic seamanship, including:
- boat work – crew, maintenance, and navigation of power boats
- rigging – working all types of cordage and wire ropes, understanding splicing, maintenance of all forms of rigging, blocks, slips and shackles
- anchor work – maintenance of ships and boats anchors and cables, and acting as a member of a ship's cable party
- helmsmanship – steering the ship
- ships husbandry and corrosion control – cleanliness and maintenance of all parts of a ship (except machinery spaces)
- general – working knowledge of ship organisation, routines and survival at sea.
Course: Combined Jet RHIB Coxswain / 4.7m Leg RHIB Course
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: HMAS Cerberus, Vic
This course covers navigation and safe handling of the Ridge Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) as the coxswain of the vessel. The RHIB is capable of high-speed operation in open seas and is used for a range of purposes, including but not limited to, man overboard incidents, crash boat during flying operations, sea-boat for transferring personnel and/or stores ashore or to other ships, inserting boarding parties onto other vessels, littoral operations, including support to embarked forces and for force protection of ships alongside or underway. Some of these tasks may require the sea-boat to operate at an extended range and duration away from the parent ship.
Course: Basic Hydrographic Systems Course
Duration: 10 weeks
Location: HMAS Penguin, Middle Head, Sydney, NSW
This course includes the following subjects:
- introduction to the Hydrographic Service - maths, the nautical chart, maps, projections and units of measure, science refresher training, boat handling (theory and practical), principals of the echo sounder (theory and practical), and electronic surveying equipment
- satellite (GPS) position fixing systems - installation of permanent survey marks, tidal theory and measurement, optical and mechanical surveying equipment and observations, construction of campsites (theory and practical)
- survey records, survey computer systems - hydrographic surveying systems, oceanographic equipment and obtaining marine samples, sonar theory and operation
- land surveying techniques (angle and distance measurement)
- geospatial data manipulation, ARCGIS and other geospatial software for the production of Geospatial Information related to products for the end user.
Upon completion of your H2 Hydrographic Surveying Course and Limited Navigation Training Course (LNTC), you’ll be eligible for the internationally recognised International Federation of Surveyors/International Hydrographic Organization/International Cartographic Association (FIG/IHO/ICA) Category B Certification, and may also apply to be certified as an Australasian Hydrographic Surveyors Certification Panel (AHSCP) Level 1 or 2 Hydrographic Surveyor.
The Navy is currently investing significantly in the future of Undersea Geospatial Warfare Capability and, as a result, you’ll receive specialised training from both Navy and industry partners such as the Australian Maritime College in the operation of emerging Robotic and Autonomous Systems. Currently, these systems include autonomous underwater vehicles and the unmanned surface vessels system. When you’re identified for further career advancement and promotion, you’ll be provided with intermediate and advanced level training to prepare you for supervisor and manager roles.