Navy Sailor - ADF Gap Year
As an ADF Gap Year Sailor, you'll get to experience a broad range of sailor roles working as a fully integrated member of a Navy ship, establishment or resident unit. You'll gain unparalleled work and life experience, travel Australia and form friendships.
You’ll also receive an attractive salary during the program and benefit from standard ADF employment entitlements such as free medical and dental care, subsidised accommodation and meals and employment allowances.
What you'll do
You’ll play a key role in operating whichever ship or unit you’re in and participate in any number of ship board tasks. You'll also get to travel around Australia.
Throughout your Gap Year, you’ll have opportunities and experiences unlike anything you've ever had before. You’ll learn about yourself, your abilities and will finish the year having been through a one-of-a-kind, multi-dimensional experience.
You will receive general exposure to a range different tasks at sea which may include:
- rope work
- berthing and casting off
- watch on deck
- anchor work
- a range of seamanship evolutions.
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.
After finishing your Gap Year program, you can choose to continue your full-time career in the Navy or you can take your new skills and experiences to gain an edge in future careers outside the ADF.
There is no obligation to serve in the ADF beyond the 12-month Gap Year program period.
Initial Military Training is conducted at HMAS Cerberus, Vic.
The Shore Establishment tour may include visits to:
- Fleet Base East, HMAS Penguin, HMAS Watson and HMAS Waterhen in Sydney, NSW
- HMAS Albatross at Nowra and HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay, NSW
- Fleet Base West in Western Australia at HMAS Stirling.
Following training, assignment to Sea Deployment and Shore Employment at Establishments could be in a range of locations around Australia.
Discover where the Navy operates across Australia on our base locations map.
I chose to do a gap year with the Navy because I wanted to challenge myself.
Requirements and training
You need to be an Australian citizen to be eligible for the ADF Gap Year program.
You must be aged between 17 and 24 years of age at the time of your enlistment or appointment. For Navy, you must be 18 years of age by the completion of your Initial Military Training.
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.
You’ll need to have completed Year 12 with passes in Year 10 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’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.
Your Gap Year experience will commence at the start of the year and will conclude 12 months later. Subsequent periods of service in the Regular or Reserve ADF may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may request discharge at any time by providing 21 days’ notice.
If you are currently or have previously served in the ADF or foreign service, you’re not eligible for Gap Year. You must be an Australian Citizen to be eligible for the Gap Year Program.
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.
Following completion of training at HMAS Cerberus, the Navy Sailor Gap Year period will include a tailored program.
- Shore Establishment Tour - 2 weeks.
- Sea Experience - 4 weeks.
- Shore Employment in Establishments - up to 31 weeks.
- Separation Activity - 1 week.