Navy Diver
As a Navy Diver, you'll work as part of a team to complete diving missions and operations to depths of up to 80 metres, from a ship or ashore. Diving operations could include neutralising and disposal of underwater explosives, search missions, underwater engineering and maintenance, tactical operations, underwater demolitions, and more.
What you'll do
See the world in a way few have in this action-packed diving and combat role where you’ll be rotated through a variety of sea and shore positions. You could be assigned to mine hunting vessels, Australian clearance diving teams, 2nd Commando Regiment, operation and support roles, major fleet units and instructional roles.
Due to the intensity and nature of the role's duties and environment, you’ll need an ongoing high degree of stamina, physical fitness and resilience.
Your duties may include:
- neutralising, rendering safe, and disposing of sea mines and explosives
- search and salvage operations
- above and underwater demolitions
- underwater scouting, inspections and surveying
- maritime counterterrorism
- underwater maintenance, engineering and repair of ships' hull and fittings
- using underwater electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic tools, including welding, ultra-thermic cutting, chainsaws, grinding, jackhammer and lift bag operations
- using specialist diving equipment, including circuit re-breathers, handheld sonars, remote positioning vehicles, portable x-ray devices and disruptors
- mine warfare and counter measures
- expeditionary reconnaissance and clearance missions
- amphibious operations
- instructional and training duties
- maritime tactical operations
- providing specialist support for boarding parties.
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. You’ll serve in fleet units and shore establishments on a rotational basis.
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 18 to join. The maximum age to join is 58 years.
For this role, you’ll need an Australian state or territory full, provisional or probationary C Class licence. If your licence is suspended or cancelled, you won’t be eligible until that suspension or cancellation has been lifted or has expired.
If you have a Provisional/Probationary licence, you must have a minimum of 12 months driving experience. Consideration may be given if you achieve the necessary licence requirements by completion of employment training.
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.
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.
Serving as a Navy Diver is physically and mentally demanding and requires a high level of individual robustness, strength, and endurance. Training can extend over 18-hour days and 7-day weeks and involve very heavy physical activity. Therefore, you must be medically and physically fit to undertake Navy Diver training.
Medical
You’ll need to pass a diving medical before being able to join the diver workgroup. Certain illnesses and disabilities relating to diving, particularly pulmonary complaints such as asthma may prevent you from joining.
Pre-entry Fitness Assessment (PFA)
You’ll be required to successfully pass a Pre-entry Fitness Assessment (PFA). This PFA requires you to achieve a higher standard than the general entry fitness level for the Navy.
You must be able to complete all components:
- 30 push ups
- 25 sit-ups
- shuttle run (beep test) to level 10.1.
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 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: Clearance Diver Initial Employment Training
Duration: 52 weeks
Location: ADF Diving School, HMAS Penguin, Sydney, NSW
This course runs for approximately 50 weeks plus one week Clearance Diver Aptitude Assessment.
The course includes:
- fitness standards
- Phase 1 - Recruit Training (prior to enlistment)
- Phase 2 - Maritime Skills Training
- Phase 3 - preliminary introductory dive and fitness test of suitability
- Phase 4 - Clearance Divers Aptitude Assessment Test where you’ll undertake the Navy Fitness Test and Swim Test requirements
- Phase 5 - Clearance Divers Initial Employment Training where you’ll undertake daily physical training to develop strength and conditioning to support your future career.
You must successfully complete the Clearance Diver Aptitude Assessment Test and be recommended by a selection panel to undertake further training.
If you do not complete the Clearance Diver Aptitude Assessment Test or are not recommended to continue further training, you may be required to:
- Transfer to another employment workgroup (subject to Navy requirements)
- Discharge At Own Request (DAOR).