Surface Warfare Officer - ADF Gap Year
As a Surface Warfare Officer (ADF Gap Year), you'll gain a unique insight into what’s involved in commanding a naval ship. Surface Warfare Officers are the people who call the shots on Navy ships. Highly trained leaders, Surface Warfare Officers need to understand every aspect of running a Navy ship, and how to win in the maritime domain.
What you'll do
You’ll get to try your hand at everything from navigation to watch keeping and learn the ins and outs of safeguarding the ship and its crew. During your Gap Year, you’ll shadow Navy officers as they go about their day-to-day duties and get a taste of a range of different areas, from aviation to engineering and logistics. You’ll even be given the opportunity to contribute to the operation of the ship or unit. At the end of the Gap Year program, you can choose to continue your career in the Navy or use the skills and experiences you’ve gained to move into an alternative career path. There’s no obligation to serve beyond the 12-month program period.
Your duties may include assisting with:
- watch keeping
- navigation
- looking after the safety of the vessel and its crew
- launching and recovering of the ship’s boats and aircraft
- contributing to whole ship warfare activities
- the identification of advancing aircraft, submarines and other warships
- monitoring of ship safety during live weapons firings.
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.
You’ll be supported throughout your Gap Year by professional and enthusiastic Navy members who will be on hand to help you get the most out of the experience. Your Gap Year will be broken up into different stages, and you’ll get to experience life at sea, as well as what it’s like to be employed ashore.
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.
The Initial Entry Officer Course is conducted at HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay on the South Coast of NSW.
The Shore Establishment tour may include visits to:
- Fleet Base East, HMAS Penguin, HMAS Watson and HMAS Waterhen in Sydney
- HMAS Albatross in Nowra and HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay
- Fleet Base West in Western Australia at HMAS Stirling.
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.
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 an ATAR that meets the minimum requirements as well as passes in English and 3 other board accredited academic subjects. ATAR requirements are available here on the UNSW website, under Bachelor of Arts in the ADFA Trainee Officers tab.
Applications can be considered if you are yet to complete Year 12 and are tracking towards the required ATAR.
If you would like any more information on ADFA and opportunities, visit our ADFA page.
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.
Note: You will be wearing your Navy uniform during the swim test.
All personnel will undertake the RANST upon entry and competency is to be achieved before the end of your initial military training. You will find it much easier to pass the swimming test if you undertake swimming training before you join.
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 Officers’ Course (NEOC)
Duration: 18 weeks
Location: HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay, NSW
You’ll begin your career by completing NEOC immediately upon entry into the Navy. NEOC is conducted in January and July each year at the Royal Australian Naval College. This is designed to teach the knowledge, skills and attributes required to be an effective junior naval officer.
NEOC course
- Physical fitness: General fitness, adventure training and the Navy swim test.
- Military life: Discipline, mannerisms, uniform procedures and Defence studies.
- Specialty skills: Small arms weapons training, first aid and survival at sea.
- Navy skills: Drill and ceremonial procedures, officer of the day duties, rank structure and Naval history.
- Leadership skills: High Functioning Teams Training and Military Resilience Training.
- Personal development: Leadership and management (including practical exercises), effective oral and written communication methods.
Following completion of training at HMAS Creswell, the Navy Officer Gap Year period will include a tailored program.
- Shore Establishment Tour - 3 weeks
- Sea Phase Deployment - 4 weeks
- Shore Employment in Establishments - up to 26 weeks
- Separation Activity - 1 week.