Networks Operator
As a Networks Operator, you’ll join a dedicated team of cyberspace professionals operating and monitoring network systems to ensure the Navy’s lines of communication remain uninterrupted, at sea and ashore. You’ll make sure the ship stays connected and has ongoing communication to stakeholders ashore, while making sure your shipmates can keep in touch with their families and friends back home.
What you'll do
You’ll perform a range of tasks to ensure the continuous availability and security of your ship’s communication networks. On any given day, you’ll assess the vulnerability of networks, diagnose and troubleshoot issues, and establish secure cyberspace environments that are suitable for Navy operations and missions.
Your duties may include:
- cyber security services
- managing, operating and maintaining advanced ICT networks between stakeholders, government agencies, submarines and ships
- network diagnosis, disaster recovery and restoral
- providing specialist networks and security advice to command and crew
- operating and managing cryptographic equipment to secure highly classified ICT networks
- using deployable ICT networks during operations and missions
- coordinating basic and intermediate help desk support to deployed ICT networks.
As a sailor, 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.
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 job, 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.
You can have absolutely no experience in IT whatsoever, we'll teach you everything you need to know.
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. 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.
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: Information Systems Initial Employment Training (Networks Operator Stream)
Duration: 21 weeks
Location: HMAS Cerberus, Vic
This course will provide you with the foundation knowledge and skills you’ll need to operate and administer associated systems at sea and ashore. Topics include:
- application and software support
- basic cryptographic equipment
- database fundamentals
- device and network troubleshooting
- end user support
- fundamentals of commercial and military satellite system communications
- introduction to Information Warfare
- management of cyber security risks and threats
- mariner development
- network administration
- network architecture
- network security and cryptography
- processing military messages, including accountability and security
- radiation hazard awareness
- role based access control and multi-factor authentication
- security principles
- system configuration.
On completion of this course, you will be employed at sea or ashore to further consolidate your training.