Weapons and Sensors Operator
As a Weapons and Sensors Operator, you’ll be Navy’s eyes and ears beyond the horizon. Using combat data systems, radars and sensors, you’ll detect, track and identify air, surface and sub-surface threats. Working in the operation room, you’ll provide data-driven recommendations based on the information you collect that will help your Command Team make critical tactical decisions and avoid potential threats.
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What you'll do
You’ll specialise in either underwater or above water operations. If you specialise in underwater operations, you’ll listen for, identify, track and analyse, surface and subsurface contacts using ship sensors and information gathered from other assets, including ships and aircraft. For above water operations, you’ll rely on your expert use of sensors and combat management systems to track, identify and analyse air warfare threats and provide recommendations that contribute to the maintenance of Australia’s national security.
Your duties may include:
- using tactical data link, combat data systems, SONAR, RADAR, identification sensors and information networks
- collecting, correlating and sharing sophisticated sensor information
- giving daily briefings to Command and stakeholders
- providing data-driven recommendations
- contributing to search and rescue missions.
As a sailor, 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.
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. Depending on your job, you’ll work at sea with periods spent ashore at your vessel’s home base.
Discover where the Navy operates across Australia on our base locations map.
In the operations room, you will be trained to exploit, intercept, identify potential threats for command.
In the operations room, you will be trained to exploit, intercept, identify potential threats for command.
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.
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: Seamanship Lite 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
- anchorwork - maintenance of ships and boats anchors and cables, and acting as a member of a ship's cable party
- helmsmanship - steering the ship
- ships husbandry - cleanliness and maintenance of all parts of a ship (except machinery spaces)
- general - a working knowledge of ship organisation, routines, survival at sea and Rule of the Road for the prevention of collision at sea.
Course: Combat Systems Operator Initial Entry Training
Duration: 26 weeks
Location: HMAS Watson, NSW or HMAS Stirling, WA
This course includes core, 9LV combat management system and above or underwater specialist stream training. On completion of this training, you’ll be awarded your Combat Systems Operator category rate badge and post to a major fleet unit for 18–24 months.
Sub Specialist Option
Anti-Submarine/Anti-Surface Tactical Aircraft Controller:
On completion of 18 months of sea service, Combat Systems operators may opt to become an anti-submarine/ anti-surface tactical aircraft controller.
The function of the Anti-Submarine/Anti-Surface Tactical Aircraft Controller (ASTAC) is to implement the tactical employment of Anti-Submarine/Anti-Surface aircraft as required by Command in both the operational and training environment.
The ASTAC most critical function is the safe tactical employment of aircraft involved in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare and the recovery of rotary wing aircraft in adverse weather conditions.
The ASTAC sailor relays tactical information to and from the aircraft, provides navigational and emergency assistance to aircraft under their control and informs aircraft under their control of the movement of other aircraft within that airspace.
Fighter Controller
The function of the Fighter Controller qualified Senior Sailor is to tactically control Combat Air Patrol (Fighter Jets) aircraft in support of maritime forces. The Fighter Controller is responsible to the Air Warfare Officer for the effective interception of designated targets and directing Combat Air Patrol aircraft to their allocated area.
The Fighter Controller is also expected to advise and recommend the most effective way to tactically employ all available air defence assets. Fighter Controllers are restricted to selected Maritime Warfare Officers, Petty Officer Combat Systems Supervisors and Chief Petty Officer Combat Systems Managers.