Personnel Administration Specialist Nuclear Submariner
Experience a workplace like nowhere else in an enterprising role where you’ll provide specialist administrative support, advice and personnel management services for Navy members, both ashore and at sea on a nuclear powered submarine.
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What you'll do
Your day-to-day responsibilities will include managing crew administration, organising the submarine’s finances, handling correspondence and official records, and providing executive support to the Navy’s senior leaders.
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.
Your duties may include:
- personnel management, administrative governance, compliance and accountability requirements
- facilitating personnel applications and associated Human Resources (HR) processes
- support and advice on conditions of service, entitlements and remuneration
- maintaining personnel records and HR information management systems
- assisting with financial reporting, record keeping and compliance activities
- coordinating deployment administration
- providing professional, discreet and tailored advice to Command.
As a submariner, you’ll also perform additional general duties that support the whole submarine, including:
- emergency response (damage control)
- submarine security and firefighting
- first aid and floor repair
- assisting 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 initial military training, employment training, and a personnel administration skills consolidation period in Australia, your journey will continue in the United States to complete US-based submarine training located in Groton, Connecticut and USN executive administration in Meridian, Mississippi.
You’ll have the opportunity to work all over the world – 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 must be at least 18 years of age on commencement of overseas 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.
Completion of Year 12 (no ATAR required) with passes in Year 10 English and Maths (minimum Maths standard).
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 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: Initial Maritime Personnel Operator Course
Duration: 13 weeks
Location: Maritime Personnel School, HMAS Cerberus, Vic
Learn the functions and administration practices required to effectively perform your role.
Topics include:
- military personnel administration
- handling official and classified correspondence
- human resource information management systems and tools
- personnel management and support
- military entitlements and remuneration
- administrative law
- maritime focused personnel management and support (including deployment and overseas operational administration).
Experience: On-the-Job training
Duration: 12 months
Location: Navy Personnel Offices
You’ll operate in Navy Personnel Offices ashore for a minimum of 12 months to consolidate your Maritime Personnel Operator Course skills and gain administration experience.
Course: SSN-V Preparation Course
Duration: 4 Weeks
Location: Submarine Training Systems Centre, HMAS Stirling, WA
This course is applicable to all Virginia Class SSN learners to familiarise them with the RAN submarine common requirements and prepare them to transition into the USN SSN-V Program including completion of associated pre-deployment prerequisites, for example medical, security, visa and information briefs.
Course: SSN-V Yeoman Specialist ‘A’ School
Duration: 11 Weeks
Location: Meridian, Mississippi (USA)
This course provides the enlisted Sailor selected for submarine duty the knowledge and basic personnel administration skills via group instruction and hands on training.
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.