Navy
Full Time

Meteorological and Oceanographic Officer

Full Time
In-service title: Maritime Geospatial Officer - Meteorological and Oceanographic

As a Meteorological and Oceanographic Officer, you’ll play a crucial role in collecting, analysing and providing weather, oceanographic and environmental information to support military operations that advance Australia's national interests.

You’ll work as part of a dedicated workgroup that executes the tasking, collection, production, exploitation, and dissemination) of METOC (Meteorological and Oceanographic) data, information, and intelligence. Your mission is to empower strategic, operational, and tactical advantages across land, maritime, and air domains. Your training will equip you with all the education you need to develop as a leader and have a broad understanding of everything that happens onboard a naval ship.

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Meteorological and Oceanographic Officer

What you'll do

You’ll plan, manage and execute geospatial data collection operations, as well as data analysis, dissemination of products, and provision of Geospatial Information and Intelligence (GEOINT) services, making you indispensable for sea control, sea denial, maritime power projection, and persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) efforts. This specialised workforce comprises two cohorts:

  • Maritime Warfare Officer (MWO) MGO-M – officers who first attain their Bridge Warfare Certificate (BWC) and Maritime Warfare Officer Primary Qualification before specialising as MGO-Ms.
  • Maritime Combat Officer (MCO) MGO-M – sailors who commission or officers who transfer from other workgroups or services, bringing diverse expertise to METOC operations.

As part of the METOC unified cohort, you’ll be deployed in roles demanding your expertise across varied operational contexts. You’ll possess in-depth knowledge of the METOC environment and apply this expertise to enhance warfare and military operations. As multi-domain capabilities expand, including Theatre Undersea Warfare and integrated targeting, the demand for advanced warfare officers with specialised atmospheric and oceanographic skills continues to grow.

Your duties may include:

  • collection, production, exploitation and dissemination of meteorological and oceanographic data, information and intelligence
  • providing critical geospatial information and intelligence related to meteorology and oceanography
  • enhancing sea control and protection, maritime power projection, and supporting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance efforts
  • utilising your expertise in meteorology and oceanography to support integrated capabilities and targeting
  • collecting, collating and analysing data to produce forecasts and predictions
  • interpreting meteorological and oceanographic data to provide tailored intelligence to inform operational decision-making
  • optimising decision-making processes at tactical, operational or strategic levels to assist the wider operations of the ADF.
 

Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, the Navy will provide you with leadership, management, and specialist skills training to develop your ability to effectively manage your teams. You’ll also be provided with training opportunities to further develop your role-related expertise. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and enable you to become an influential leader in the Navy allowing you to face any challenge, either at sea or ashore.

As an officer in the Navy, you may also undertake a posting to an Any Officer role during your career, such as instructor/training roles and staff officer roles. This experience helps you broaden your skill set and prepare for more senior roles.

Following training, you’ll serve in fleet units and shore establishments around Australia, most likely in Canberra, Nowra or Sydney, based on service need. Individual preferences for posting location will be considered where possible. Many opportunities also exist for short periods (4-6 months) of operational service overseas.

Discover where the Navy operates across Australia on our major base locations map.

Requirements and training

About entry methods
Use your degree
Officer Entry: Graduate
Requirements
Citizenship

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.

Age

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 60 years, less the Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS).

Licences

You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.

Security requirements

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.

Education and experience

The minimum requirement for entry into this role is a bachelor's degree (majoring in a physical science or maths), with maths and physical science to second-year level. This requirement supports eligibility to study a Graduate Diploma of Meteorology with the Bureau of Meteorology, a component of employment training.

You can apply if you're in the final year of your degree and have your fourth-year academic transcript. You'll then need successful results in your final semester before your appointment to the role.

Some degree-qualified officers will start their careers at one rank higher than non-graduate officers. Please speak to your Careers Coach for further information.

Health and fitness

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.

Period of service

You’ll be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 6 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 and provide a minimum of 3 months’ notice.

Additional requirements

For this role, you’ll require a Positive Vetting (PV) Security Clearance.

Training
Military training

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.

On completion of your NEOC course, you’ll proceed to your respective employment training.

Employment training

Course: Maritime Warfare Officer Course (MWOC)
Duration: 2 years
Location: HMAS Watson, Sydney, NSW and HMAS Stirling, Rockingham, WA

The course includes, but is not limited to:

  • simulation training
  • navigation principles
  • mariner skills
  • bridge work
  • seamanship training
  • boat work
  • risk management
  • engineering module
  • watchkeeping
  • warfare theory
  • Officer of the Watch (OOW) duties.

On completion, you’ll be awarded your Primary Qualification (PQ) and Bridge Warfare Certificate (BWC).

Further training

MGO-Ms will progress through the professional development milestones aligned to the Navy Mastery stages: Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced and Master.

Foundation to Intermediate Progression

  • METOC Initial Entry Training:
    • Graduate Diploma of Meteorology (9 months, Bureau of Meteorology Training Centre-Melbourne)
    • Military Meteorology (2 months, Maritime Geospatial Training Centre-Sydney).
  • Foundation Core Role:
    • Watchkeeper/Forecaster.
  • Intermediate Core Role:
    • Deployable METOC.