Sonar Operator
As a Sonar Operator, you’ll contribute to Australia’s national security by detecting, tracking and classifying noises from the ocean and passing the information that you gather on to Command. It’s a critically important role that will see you working to prevent the submarine from being detected and keeping Australia’s maritime environment safe and secure.
What you'll do
You’ll undergo rigorous training that will set you up to skilfully operate, supervise and manage a submarine’s acoustic sensors, and passive and active sonars. The role will draw on your technical know-how as well as your decision-making abilities. Day in, day out, you’ll be operating some of the most advanced systems in the Navy and making tactical recommendations based on the information and data you gather. And like any submariner, you’ll perform general seamanship duties that vary depending if the submarine is surfaced, dived or alongside the wharf. As a submariner, you’ll work in the most unique workplace in Australia having a direct effect on Defence missions and operations at sea.
Your duties may include:
- operating sonar systems
- supporting as navigator’s assistant
- damage control team or survival equipment maintainer
- watch-keeping, lookout and anchor party
- first responder and helicopter transfer
- participating as larger team in a wide variety of tasks to keep the submarine at peak readiness.
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.
For example, the Acoustic Warfare Analysis Managers Course is designed to give you the skills needed to play a lead role in the control room command team and be considered for promotion to Petty Officer. You may also be selected to undertake advanced acoustic analysis courses in the UK or Canada.
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'll be based out of HMAS Stirling, WA. You may also be posted interstate to the Joint Acoustic Analysis Centre (AJAAC) at HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW or various Defence organisations within Canberra, ACT and other eastern shore-based positions. There is also the opportunity to apply for an overseas exchange position as you progress your career as a Sonar Operator.
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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 will 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 while 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.
For this role, you’ll require a Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) Security Clearance.
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: Basic Seamanship Course
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: HMAS Cerberus, Vic
This course is completed by all Seaman Branch Sailors and covers all aspects of basic seamanship, including:
- Boatwork - crew, maintenance and navigation of power boats
- Rigging - working all types of cordage and wire ropes, understanding splicing, maintenance of all forms of rigging, blocks, slips and shackles
- Helmsmanship - steering the ship
- Ships Husbandry - cleanliness and maintenance of all parts of a ship (except machinery spaces) and
- General - a working knowledge of ship organisation, routines, survival at sea and 'Rule of the Road' for the prevention of collision at sea.
Course: Initial Collins Class Course (ICCC)
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: HMAS Stirling, Perth WA
Consists of a series of computer based and instructor-based modules that introduces you to how the systems and construction make up the submarines. You will also undertake Submarine Firefighting and Submarine Escape courses during this 5-week period.
Course: Acoustic Warfare Analyst Category Course (AWASM Training) (AWA 1)
Duration: 11 weeks
Location: STSC, HMAS Stirling, WA
The course covers those aspects of passive sonar design, construction and operation that are essential to maintaining acoustic awareness and is designed to give you the requisite knowledge to undertake their job as part of the submarine technical and tactical departments.
Submariner Task Book, Sea Experience and Board
After your shore-based training, you’ll be issued your Submarine Task Book, for completion, to consolidate your training. You'll be posted to a submarine to progress your Task Book and work towards your submarine qualification. On completion of this phase, you’ll attend a board. Successful completion of the board will culminate in Submarine Qualification and the award of “Dolphins” – the badge of the Submariner.
Course: Acoustic Warfare Analysis Supervisor Course (AWA 2)
Duration: 10 weeks
Location: STSC, HMAS Stirling, WA
This is the supervisors’ course for promotion to Leading Seaman and consists of instruction in:
- oceanography and weather
- brief presentation and preparation
- aural and narrowband analysis
- supervision of sonar watch
- 2-week practical component in the combat system trainer for practical instruction on watch supervision
- operations and a practical assessment.
Course: Acoustic Warfare Analysis Managers Course (AWA 3)
Duration: 6 weeks
Location: STSC, HMAS Stirling, WA
This advanced training is designed to give you the skills to play a major lead in the Control Room Command Team. This training is to be completed before promotion to Petty Officer.
As a qualified Petty Officer, you may also be selected to undertake advanced acoustic analysis course that are conducted in the UK or Canada.
Course: Acoustic Warfare Analyst – Acoustic Specialist (AWA4-AS)
Duration: 12-18 months
Location: Submarine Force (SUBFOR) Headquarters HMAS Stirling, WA
The AWA4-AS is by selection only and is advanced training conducted under a detailed Learning and Development Strategy. The course is designed to provide you with the skills to lead the Submarine Command Team during acoustic operations.