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Eligibility Checklist

Before you apply, make sure you meet the basic role requirements. You'll find detailed information on the <a href="?tab=ways-to-join">Ways to join</a> tab.

Join without qualifications
There are many excellent career options in the ADF that generally don&rsquo;t require experience or qualifications. You&rsquo;ll receive all the training you need and be paid while you train.
Who it&rsquo;s for:&nbsp;Those seeking general roles and career opportunities.

You'll be paid while you train, and on completion of your Initial Military Training and Employment Training, you’ll earn at least:

Training

Your starting salary

Trained

Your salary once trained

In the Navy you'll be paid a good salary from day one regardless of your age, experience or qualifications.

General Entry: Non-technical

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: 
<ul>
<li>oceanography and weather </li>
<li>brief presentation and preparation </li>
<li>aural and narrowband analysis </li>
<li>supervision of sonar watch </li>
<li>2-week practical component in the combat system trainer for practical instruction on watch supervision </li>
<li>operations and a practical assessment. </li>
</ul>
 
<div class="divider-y" style="--margin-y:24px;">&nbsp;</div>
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. 
<div class="divider-y" style="--margin-y:24px;">&nbsp;</div>
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.

Key Information

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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.

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.

Operate the high-tech sensors that provide essential intelligence to your commanders, working in the uniquely supportive environment of a submarine.

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Sonar Operator

Find out what it’s like

Benefits you won't see anywhere else

You’ll enjoy the following:

Great salary from day one, which increases with experience

Generous superannuation of 16.4% – a huge 4.9% over the Australian standard

Help to buy a home, a subsidised home loan or rent allowance

Free medical and dental for you, and subsidised healthcare for you and your family

Fully paid training

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