Intelligence Analyst – Systems Operator
As an Intelligence Analyst – Systems Operator, you’ll support Navy intelligence missions by analysing and interpreting classified communications to inform tactical and military operations, both at sea and ashore. Not only will you play an important role in piecing the intelligence puzzle together for Navy command, you’ll become a highly trained sailor capable of contributing to the operational effectiveness of your ship.
What you'll do
Working in a highly classified environment, you’ll be responsible for intercepting and analysing radio, data and signal transmissions and communications. Using search receivers and other specialised equipment, you’ll analyse communications and intercept, record and distribute intelligence information.
On any given day at sea, you could be interpreting live signals intelligence to provide command with a comprehensive understanding of potential threats or analysing data to help inform planned exercises and operations. Good communications skills and teamwork abilities are essential, as you’ll be joining a dedicated team working on complex intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities and missions.
Your duties may include:
- analysing radio data and radio wave transmissions
- analysing communication patterns and networks
- intercepting, recording and distributing signal transmissions and communications
- utilising recording and processing equipment
- analytical and methodical problem-solving
- managing and working with classified information
- preparing and presenting intelligence briefs.
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. 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 role, 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.
I deal with a lot of signal analysis and identification, which is like a problem-solving puzzle.
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 and Maths.
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 will 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 while 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.
For this role, you’ll require a Positive Vetting (PV) Security Clearance and pass an Australian Signals Directorate Organisational Suitability Assessment.
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, which may include but is not limited to:
- 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 - a working knowledge of ship organisation, routines and survival at sea.
Course: Basic Operator Skills Training
Duration: 12 weeks
Location: Maritime Intelligence and Information Warfare School, HMAS Watson, Sydney, NSW
On completion of this course, you’ll be classified as an Intelligence Analyst. You’ll learn skills that enable you to contribute to intelligence teams by supporting the organisation’s intelligence functions at sea or ashore.
Once you have consolidated your Intelligence Analyst skills, you’ll undertake specialisation training to stream as an Intelligence Analyst - Systems Operator.
Once specialised, you’ll usually begin by applying and consolidating your skills at shore-based facilities before posting to sea. You can expect to be posted to ships at sea or any intelligence related role ashore for further training and consolidation.
Continuation training is in the form of intermediate and advanced courses linked to promotions and advancement.