Navy
Full Time

Physical Training Instructor

Full Time
In-service title: Physical Training Instructor

Period of Service requirements: General Entry Sailor roles now have an Initial Minimum Period of Service of either 2 or 3 years for all applicants.

As a Physical Training Instructor in the Navy, you’ll work in a team to plan, prepare and provide physical training programs that contribute to the physical and mental health of Navy members.

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A physical training instructor stands on the deck of a Navy ship with a row of sailors behind him.

What you'll do

Bring your qualifications, experience and passion for health and fitness, applying your skills in unique environments and working at Navy gyms and onboard ships. In this role, you’ll provide Navy members with mental, physical and emotional outlets through physical training.

You’ll plan, develop and deliver a range of health and fitness programs that may include:

  • strength and conditioning physical training instructional sessions
  • specialised physical training and defensive tactics instructional sessions
  • rehabilitation programs in conjunction with local allied health professionals
  • the Navy Physical Fitness Test and Physical Conditioning Program
  • outdoor leadership activities
  • sporting competitions.

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 both at sea 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

About entry methods
Use your qualifications
General Entry: Qualified
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 58 years.

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

To be eligible for this role, you’ll need to have completed the relevant qualifications and have recent industry experience within the last 12 months.

For the minimum qualifications, you’ll need to satisfy the following requirements for this role:

  • Certificate IV in Fitness (SIS40221)
  • 12 months experience in a fitness industry role - for example, as a personal trainer, sports coach, or CrossFit coach.
Health and fitness

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:

Male PFA standards

  • 25 push ups
  • 25 sit-ups (feet not held)
  • shuttle run (beep test) to level 10.1.

Female PFA standards

  • 20 push ups
  • 25 sit-ups (feet not held)
  • shuttle run (beep test) to level 8.5.

Physical Training Instructor (PTI) - Initial Employment Training Physical Fitness Test

During your training, you’ll also be required to pass a specific PTI Fitness assessment (Barrier Test). The test consists of the following components:

Male Test Components Minimum Standard:

  • 4m vertical rope climb: 2 shifts
  • push-ups: 40
  • sit-ups: 35
  • heaves: 9
  • 5km run: 23:00 minutes
  • 400m swim (100m of each stroke: Freestyle, Side Stroke, Back Stroke and Breast Stroke): <12:30 minutes.

Female Test Components Minimum Standard:

  • 4m vertical rope climb: 1 shift
  • push-ups: 25
  • sit-ups: 35
  • heaves: 5
  • 5km run: 25:00 minutes
  • 400m swim (100m of each stroke: Freestyle, Side Stroke, Back Stroke and Breast Stroke) : <12:30 minutes.
 
Period of service

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.

Training
Military training

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.

Employment training

Course: Physical Training Instructors Course
Duration: 18 weeks
Location: ADF Physical Training School, HMAS Cerberus, Vic

Course modules include:

  • human anatomy and physiology
  • physical conditioning programs
  • physical training lessons
  • physical fitness assessments
  • health, fitness and wellbeing
  • first aid course
  • pool lifeguard course
  • wet bulb temperature user course
  • sporting events
  • reconditioning support
  • physical fitness centre facility administration
  • military environment instructional techniques
  • strength and conditioning training methods.

PTI trainees will be promoted to Leading Seaman on successful completion of this course.

This training is designed to give you sufficient military knowledge and skills to make you successful in your role. The course may be conducted in an ADF environment.

Further training

You may have opportunities for further training in line with your role and service requirements, such as:

  • Navy Instructors Course
  • Navy Defensive Tactics Course
  • Outdoor Leadership Course
  • Pool Lifeguard Course
  • First Aid Course
  • Basic Seamanship Course
  • Combat Survivability.