Warehouse Storeperson
As a Warehouse Storeperson, you’ll ensure vital supplies, equipment, part-replacements and crew provisions get to where they need to be. You’ll specialise in inventory and warehouse management both ashore and on major ships, keeping stock replenished and available for the team.
What you'll do
Your day can range from providing essential equipment for your fellow sailors to assisting communities in need through the delivery of critical supplies for humanitarian aid or disaster relief.
Your duties may include:
- issuing equipment and machinery, including electronic, medical, clothing, furniture and hardware
- forklift driving
- handling, storing and distributing dangerous and hazardous goods
- storeroom duties, including security, delivery and maintenance
- humanitarian aid and disaster relief
- maintaining stock control and account balances on inventory management systems
- preserving and stowing equipment and products
- stocktaking
- clerical duties and data entry
- financial accounting of inventory
- purchasing products.
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'll serve 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
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: Maritime Logistics – Supply Chain Course
Duration: 14 weeks
Location: Maritime Logistics and Health Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Vic
This course teaches the function and control features for all stores items and covers the following areas:
- introduction to the Defence Stores network and the purpose of the Navy stores system
- methods used to demand, transfer, issue and return stores items
- ADF electronic inventory accounting systems used in shore establishments (also used by major industries and government authorities in Australia as well as inventory management systems) to be used aboard fleet units at sea
- administrative procedures associated with stock control, computer-based stock accounting
- warehouse/storeroom routines including stock movement/handling, security, workplace health and safety, and hygiene
- performing receipt and dispatch procedures including quality assurance and package requirements
- stowage and preservation of stores items
- introduction to hazardous substance handling and stowage
- simulation training for the stowage, issue and stocktaking of inventory
- nationally accredited forklift training.
You can undertake advanced training courses later in your career. These courses can include, but are not limited to, management courses and category specialisation courses for promotion.
Course: Maritime Logistics – Supply Chain Supervisors Course
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: Maritime Logistics and Health Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Vic
This course teaches the function and control features for all stores items and covers the following areas:
- procedure for the Ships Logistic Information Co-Ordination (SLIC)
- supply chain procedures including Supply Customer Accounts (SCA)
- conflict resolution and management
- Asset Management Planning System (AMPS) training.
Course: Maritime Logistics – Supply Chain Managers Course
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: Maritime Logistics and Health Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Vic
This course teaches the function and control features for all stores items and covers the following areas:
- deployment planning
- stores allowance management
- audit processes
- management of demands
- manage departmental stores requirements
- management of dangerous goods
- Workplace Health & Safety Procedures
- AMPS Training
- Explosive Ordinance Accounting Course.
Course: Stores Accounting Officer
Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Randwick Barracks and Fleet Base East
The course is designed to equip senior members with all the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively and confidently carry out the duties of the Stores Accounting Officer, both at sea and ashore.