Medic Nuclear Submariner
As a Medic Nuclear Submariner, you’ll play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of your fellow submariners.
This unique environment requires the highest standards of safety and security, which you’ll learn during your induction program developed to guide your time in the nuclear workforce. This will help you keep your crew, the public, and the environment safe and secure while you serve.
What you'll do
You will be responsible for administering advanced first aid, nursing care, emergency medical care, management of medical supplies and more onboard a nuclear-powered submarine.
You’ll be exposed to both conventional and unconventional injuries and illnesses in a variety of situations, and your care for the sick and wounded will be vital in keeping your vessel operational.
Your duties may include:
- medical, surgical and infectious wound nursing
- pre-hospital medical and emergency care
- emergency patient evacuation
- advanced first aid
- life support
- nursing care
- clinical services and assessment (primary healthcare)
- patient comfort and welfare
- managing medical supplies
- medical administration and documentation
- monitor and analyse radiation exposure
- administer personnel dosimetry program
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
- first aid and flood repair
- assisting with medical, ammunitioning or ceremonial duties
- shift work, or on-call duties as required.
As your career progresses and your responsibilities increase, the Navy provides you with many opportunities for development and upskilling, as well as access to further education and specialised training within your chosen role.
This will set you up to run a highly skilled team of sailors both at sea and ashore, and teach you skills to set you up for life.
Following initial military training, medical training, and a medical skills consolidation period in Australia, your journey will continue in the United States to complete US-based submarine training located in Groton, Connecticut.
You’ll have the opportunity to work across a range of locations – sea postings may be on submarines operating out of Western Australia, Hawaii, Guam, Connecticut or San Diego, and shore postings will be in locations all around Australia.
Discover where the Navy operates across Australia on our base locations map.
As soon as I heard we were getting new submarines I wanted to be part of that program and be part of something new and challenging.
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 12 (no ATAR required) education required with passes in English and Biology (for WA students: any human biological science discipline) and Year 10 Maths (minimum Maths standard). Completion of Year 11 Chemistry is highly desirable.
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. A condition of entry is that you’ll be tested for a variety of viral infections, including HIV and Hepatitis B and C. The presence of any of these infections could affect your application.
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.
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.
Note: This position will require you to comply with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR Compliant), which is an additional set of compliance checks.
Selection to overseas nuclear-powered submarine training is not guaranteed, and you’ll need to successfully pass United States Navy testing to be selected. If you are unsuccessful during selection or are unable to complete the overseas portions of the training, you may be given the opportunity to transfer to another role in the Navy, including but not limited to Collins Class submarine service.
Australian Submarine Agency Screening
Due to the security settings of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Program, members will be subject to additional eligibility and suitability screening by the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA). This screening also considers foreign partner security requirements. Please speak directly with an ADF Careers member for more information.
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: Joint Medic Training Course
Duration: 18 months
Location: ADF School of Health, Bonegilla, Vic
You’ll complete comprehensive employment training from both military and civilian contracted staff.
The course will include:
- an overview of the history and structure of the ADF health services
- Geneva Conventions
- health logistics
- infection control principles and practice
- primary health care
- resuscitation bay duties
- pre-hospital clinical care
- ADF health documentation
- specific treatment protocol policies
- tactical combat casualty care
- other micro skills associated with health care delivery within the military.
The training will lead to a Diploma in Nursing (Enrolled/Div 2) qualification and national registration as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Experience: On-the-Job training
Duration: 6-12 months
Location: Joint Health Command Unit
You’ll operate in Joint Health Commands ashore for a minimum of 6 months to consolidate your Joint Medic Course skills and gain experience in clinical placements to complete your Clinical Readiness Journal.
Course: Maritime Operational Health Course
Duration: 7 weeks
Location: HMAS Penguin, Sydney, NSW
This course enhances the application of primary health care and medical skills in shore and maritime environments for dedicated sickbay role management and functions.
Experience: Maritime Foundation Role
Duration: 12 months
Location: Maritime environment
On completion of the Maritime Operational Health Course, you’ll complete a minimum 12-month healthcare role in the maritime environment and consolidate your training on a major fleet unit under the supervision of a Clinical Manager.
Course: Extended Care Medical Course
Duration: 13 Months
Location: HMAS Penguin, Sydney, NSW
The aim of the Extended Care Medical Course is to provide Advanced Medical Sailors with a high standard of clinical skills and knowledge required for the provision of Primary Health Care in the maritime environment.
Course: Submarine Independent Duty Corpsman Alternate
Duration: 3 Months
Location: Groton, Connecticut (USA)
The course includes submarine medicine techniques in diagnosis and treatment; management of medical and surgical emergencies; occupational / environmental preventive medicine; medical laboratory techniques; pharmacy/pharmacology; BLS-instructor; ACLS provider; submarine medical and radiation health administration; radiation fundamentals; radiation physics; radiobiology; radiological decontamination; medical effects of ionizing radiation and risk communication; atmosphere control; gas free engineering; 3M; instructor training; mathematics; computerized medical and exposure record systems and basic submarine school.
Course: Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS)
Duration: 9 weeks
Location: Groton, Connecticut (USA)
This course provides the enlisted Sailor selected for submarine duty with the knowledge and skills that are necessary to ensure the best chance of success upon reporting for submarine duty. Knowledge and skills provided support rapid qualification as phone talker, basic submarine qualification, safely handling ship's lines, and being a reliable member of the ship's damage control party. This effort directly supports the concept of the Day-one ready Sailor.
There are opportunities for a wide range of personal and professional development training and education, and leadership training continues throughout your career.