ADF Australia

Help keep Navy submarines mission-ready by maintaining and operating onboard electrical systems while working towards a Certificate III in Electrical Fitting.

Role Details

As an Electrical Fitter Submariner, you’ll help keep Navy submarines running smoothly and ready for any mission, both at sea and on shore.

You’ll work on a range of vital systems, including hydraulics, refrigeration, and high-voltage power generation. Day to day, you’ll be part of a close-knit team, making sure the sub’s electrical and mechanical systems are fully operational, no matter what challenges come your way.

You’ll get practical training and progress towards a nationally accredited Certificate III in Electrical Fitting, with the opportunity to go all the way and gain qualifications up to the diploma level. Whether you’re already a tradesperson, halfway through an apprenticeship, or coming in fresh, you’ll be earning money from day one.

Your Duties

Your duties may include:

Operating and maintaining electrical generation and distribution
Operating propulsion systems
Domestic and associated mechanical services
Maintaining the main and auxiliary machinery
Maintaining automatic and remote control systems
Operating and maintaining hydraulics
Maintaining air conditioning and refrigeration systems
Maintaining ventilation systems
Maintaining Submarine Main Storage Batteries
Working with electrical power generation and high-voltage systems.

Additional duties include:

Maintaining boat security
Firefighting, flood repair, and first aid
Loading, unloading, and testing submarine weapons (missiles, torpedoes and mines)
Performing ceremonial duties.

Joining Requirements

Citizenship

You need to be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF, although permanent resident non-Australian citizens may be eligible to join.

Age

You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age, and you must be at least 17 years old to join. The maximum age to join is 57 years.

Education and experience

Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education is 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.

Note: Consumer Maths, Maths in Society, and similarly ‘modified’ maths are not suitable for this job. Year 10 Trade and Business Maths is acceptable.

Health and fitness

To join the Navy, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.

Once you join, the 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 completion of a questionnaire relating to 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 Navy 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 the medical process for entry into the ADF.

Security requirements

All ADF members require a security clearance.

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.
Speciality skills: weapons training, workplace safety, first aid, and sailing.
Navy skills: seamanship, corrosion control, survival at sea, and fire and flood control.

On completion of your NESC course, you’ll proceed to your respective employment training. 

Employment training

5 weeks of Marine Technician Initial Technical Training at Technical Training Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Vic

15 weeks of Stage 1—Marine Technician Electrical Initial Employment Technical Training at Technical Training Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Vic

16 weeks of Stage 2—Marine Technician Electrical Initial Employment Training (TAFE UEE 33020) at Dandenong TAFE, Vic

10 weeks of Stage 3—MT Electrical Initial Employment Training (Cerberus UEE33020). Training (TAFE UEE 33020) at Technical Training Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Vic

14 weeks of Marine Systems Foundation (MSF) at Technical Training Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Vic

5 weeks of Navy Specific Marine Technician – Electrical Training at Technical Training Faculty, HMAS Cerberus, Vic.

5 weeks of Initial Collins Class Course (ICCC) at Submarine Training Systems Centre, HMAS Stirling, WA

7 weeks of Submariner Platform Systems Operator Course at Submarine Training Systems Centre, HMAS Stirling, WA

Further training

There are opportunities to obtain further qualifications (up to and including a bachelor’s degree) as you advance through the Marine Technician Submariner-Electrical Career Continuum.

You’ll have opportunities to earn the Certificate IV qualifications listed below as well as a Diploma in Engineering:

Certificate IV in Electrical Distribution and Fluid Power
Certificate IV in Condition Monitoring and Instrumentation
Certificate IV in AC and Refrigeration.

If you display the correct aptitude and leadership qualities and satisfy ADF officer requirements, you may have an opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering degree.

Period of service

You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 3 years.

In-Service Information
In the Navy, this role is known as “Electrical Fitter Submariner
Title abbreviation: MTSM-E.

You’ll spend the majority of your career based out of HMAS Stirling, WA.

Full-time Service

Technical General Entry

Salary $97,628 per annum

Plus generous superannuation of 16.4%

Submariner Electrical Fitter (ADF) Australian Navy Full Time