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defencejobs.gov.au/navy/jobs/MarineEngineerOfficer
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Marine Engineer Officer
An outstanding opportunity to work for a leading Australian organisation on a variety of high tech engineering systems.
Additional Information
IN BRIEF
It takes a highly-trained team of engineers and technicians to keep state-of-the-art warships operating at optimum
capability. In the critical role of Marine Engineer Officer you'll be the technical expert responsible for monitoring,
maintaining and repairing your ship's structure, propulsion systems, electrical generation and distribution systems, and
domestic and associated mechanical services.
TECHNOLOGY
The systems and services aboard Navy vessels are maintained at exceptionally high levels, to ensure the safety of
personnel and the effectiveness of the vessel in which they serve. In this exciting and challenging role you'll operate at the
leading edge of marine engineering technology, working in a dynamic team environment with the latest tools and
maintenance equipment.
LIFESTYLE
Life in the Navy is varied and rewarding, and the experiences you'll share at home and overseas will cement friendships
that last a lifetime. If at sea you'll enjoy travel, adventure, good food, and plenty of time off for rest, relaxation and
exercise in onboard gyms. Then when ashore, make the most of the excellent sports, social and entertainment facilities on
base; or discover what the locality has to offer.
WHAT YOU COULD EARN
In the Navy you'll receive a competitive salary, generous Super and an excellent range of benefits. You get paid from the
day you start training and your salary will increase with rank and experience.
MARINE ENGINEER OFFICERS
can earn over
$75,100 p.a.
on completion of initial employment training. This salary includes Uniform and Service allowances and applies to full time
general entry.
Job Details
As a Marine Engineering Officer you are the technical expert on board ships and are responsible for the ship's structures,
propulsion systems, electrical generation and distribution, and domestic and associated mechanical services. Responsibilities
also include the main and auxiliary machinery, engines, automatic and remote control systems, hydraulics, air conditioning
and refrigeration, ventilation systems and electrical power generation and conversion equipment.
In shore based positions you will perform duties in support of the fleet including system specification, acquisition and
through-life support, system certification, machinery trials and the training and management of sailors and officers.
During the service life of ships Marine Engineers monitor failure, develop and evaluate proposed modifications and repair
schemes, and supervise and evaluate equipment trials. To assist in these tasks you will have access to external
organisations where you will liaise closely with your civilian counterparts.
Marine Engineers are heavily involved with resource management, assigning and scheduling personnel, assets, equipment
and finances to the task at hand. Ashore, you could be responsible for the provision of financial estimates or the
progression of technical works requirements or maintenance programs.
As the Navy regularly introduces new ships and systems, life as a Marine Engineer Officer is constantly challenging and
changing. To help you meet these new challenges, Navy provides many internal courses as well as offering the chance for
postgraduate training at external institutions throughout your employment.
Entry
The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) was established to provide young Officer Cadets from the Navy, Army and
Air Force with the finest tertiary education in Australia.
ADFA is a College of the University of New South Wales and officers graduate with a University of New South Wales
degree. But academic pursuits are just a part of being a student at ADFA. There's also the military studies, fitness training,
leadership and management skills you'll develop.
It is the Academy's philosophy to provide cadets with every possible resource and opportunity to help them do their best,
which in turn helps the Academy and its graduates live up to the maxim "To lead. To Excel".
You are paid to study at ADFA and receive a textbook allowance, free medical and dental treatment, free uniforms and
Higher Education Contribution Scheme payments are met by the ADF. In addition, you are guaranteed a job as an Officer in
the Royal Australian Navy when you graduate. While you are studying, you will enjoy one of the best student/teacher ratios
in the country and have access to state-of-the-art technology and facilities on campus dedicated to giving you the best
academic and military qualifications possible.
As a Marine Engineer Officer you will undertake a four year Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Honours may be awarded depending on academic performance over the duration of the degree.
The academic year essentially consists of the following components:
1 week Orientation;
4 weeks Common Military Training (CMT) and or Single Service Training (SST);
1 week Chief of the Defence Force Parade;
16 weeks Session 1 academic studies (This period includes a 2 week recess of career development and field trips which can
be either academic or military in nature);
2 weeks mid-year examinations;
2 weeks mid-year leave;
14 weeks Session 2 academic studies (This period includes a 1 week study recess);
2 weeks study and end of year examinations;
3 weeks CMT and or SST;
1 week - Graduation; and
5 weeks end of year leave.
Pay & Allowances
First year of training: $30,603 per year ($1,177 per fortnight).*
Second year of training: $36,167 per year ($1,391 per fortnight).*
Third year of training: $41,732 per year ($1,605 per fortnight).*
Fourth year of training: $47,296 per year ($1,819 per fortnight).*
While under training, you will also receive $10,086 per year pro rata ($388 per fortnight) Trainee Allowance.
To assist you in maintaining your uniforms in good order and condition, you will receive a Uniform Allowance of $419 per
year ($16 per fortnight). This increases to $682 per year ($26 per fortnight) after commissioning.
Salary (excluding allowances) on completion of academic, military and employment training will be:
$64,612 per year ($2,485 per fortnight).*
In addition to your salary, you will also receive Service Allowance of $13,448 per year ($517 per fortnight) except while
undertaking Military (Initial) or Employment training. This allowance compensates a member for the unique requirements
that service life may impose on an individual and his or her family.
Your salary will continue to increase based on your rank and the number of years of service completed in that rank. Your
pay grade may increase following the acquisition of additional skills and completion of further training. Refer to the Salary
Scales for further details.
Trainees with dependants may be entitled to Trainee's Dependant Allowance which is paid to enable trainees with
dependants to receive a salary not less than $43,766 per year ($1,679 per fortnight) while training. Conditions apply. Speak
to your Careers Counsellor for details.
* Note: These figures do not include compulsory deductions for taxation; meals, accommodation and utilities (as
applicable); or superannuation.
General Requirements
Age Requirement
Applicants must be a minimum of 17 years of age on day of entry.
Applicants will not be allowed to enter the ADF until they achieve a minimum of 17 years of age, however they may be able
to initiate the application process from 16 years of age, depending upon the capacity of their local recruiting centre.
Maximum age on entry is 50 years of age.
Citizenship Requirement
Only Australian citizens are permitted to serve in the ADF.
If you are a Permanent Resident of Australia, the ADF may consider a temporary waiver of the citizenship requirement if
the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who meets all the citizenship requirements, and
then only in exceptional circumstances. You will be required to obtain Australian citizenship as early as possible following
enlistment or appointment.
Find out more in our Recruitment Centre or ask your local Defence Force Recruiting Centre.
Security Requirement
OFFICER (RESERVE), ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE DUNTROON, AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE ACADEMY
The Department of Defence requires ADF employees to have security clearances appropriate to their
employment.
A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and, as required, interviews, enables the
Australian Government Security Vetting Agency to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability
for a security clearance.
The minimum security clearance level required is Negative Vetting Level 1, and current policy requires
applicants to have a checkable background for the previous 10 years. Required information includes:
- Residence
- Employment
- Education
- Credit
Australian Citizenship is a requirement for a security clearance and a clearance will only be granted to a
non-citizen in exceptional circumstances.
NOTE: The security clearance is critical to an applicants successful progression through the Army training
system. If an applicant is unable to obtain the required security clearance in time, they will not be allowed to
continue their training and may need to be re-allocated to another employment category. As such, it is strongly
recommended that all applicants obtain the required documentation as soon as possible to provide the best
opportunity to be employed in their preferred employment category.
Aptitude Requirement
The application process to join the Australian Defence Force requires you to complete a series of aptitude tests including
verbal, spatial and numerical ability and a general maths test. Some jobs may also require you to complete additional
testing at a later date.
Psychology support staff will explain what is involved with each test.
The aptitude tests provide information about your suitability for the Defence Force and for particular jobs. Defence Force
Recruiting can then help you identify jobs that best match your abilities.
Further information on the aptitude testing requirements can be found here.
Education & Experience
To be eligible for admission to UNSW@ADFA, applicants must have completed Year 12 and obtained an entrance rank high
enough to qualify for entry to the relevant degree program.
Further information on studying at ADFA is available here.
Assumed Knowledge Requirements
Assumed Knowledge is the level of subject knowledge that a lecturer or a tutor of a first year UNSW@ADFA course could
reasonably expect of students enrolled in that course.
Assumed Knowledge is fundamental to the assessment of whether or not an applicant is likely to succeed and is taken into
account by the ADF (during the recruiting process) and by UNSW@ADFA when assessing the application.
The specific Year 12 subjects that currently satisfy the UNSW@ADFA Assumed Subject Knowledge requirements for
engineering applicants are (by State):
• ACT: Majors in English, Mathematical Methods and Physics. Chemistry desirable;
• NSW: 2-Unit English; Mathematics (previously called NSW 2 Unit Mathematics), 2-Unit Physics or 2-Unit Senior
Science (Multi-strand, including Physics) and 2-Unit Chemistry (desirable) or 2-Unit Senior Science (Multi-strand,
including Chemistry) (desirable);
• QLD: English, Mathematics B and Physics. Chemistry is desirable;
• SA/NT: English (or Year 11 plus Year 12 Language-rich subject), Mathematical Studies and Physics. Chemistry is
desirable;
• TAS: One of the TCE English Group Choices; Mathematics Methods 5C and Physics 5C. Chemistry 5C is desirable;
• VIC: One of the VCE English Group Choices, Mathematical Methods 3 & 4 and VCE Physics. VCE Chemistry is
desirable; and
• WA: English Literature or English, Mathematics (Calculus or Mathematics 3DMAT) and Physics. Chemistry is
desirable.
Requirements are expressed as a minimum.
In States where Year 12 English may be replaced by a Humanities subject for the purposes of meeting Year 12 certificate
requirements, the Assumed Knowledge is Year 11 English plus a Year 12 Humanities subject.
Note: All applicants for undergraduate programs at ADFA must also apply to the Universities Admissions Centre (NSW and
ACT) for entry to the University of New South Wales. The Universities Admissions Centre website is
http://www.uac.edu.au
ADF Service Requirements
You should be aware that in addition to the UNSW @ ADFA Assumed Subject Knowledge requirements, there may be
some Year 12 subjects that are ADF Service requirements.
Medical & Fitness Requirements
To be appointed, you must be medically and physically fit for entry into the ADF. This is partially assessed from the
completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination. You must also pass the swim test and physical fitness test to graduate from your Navy Training and to proceed to the
Safety of Life at Sea Training that is a requirement for Recruit School and Officer training. Royal Australian Navy Swim Test (RANST)
The RANST is conducted to ensure the Navy’s duty of care to all serving personnel, with respect to rudimentary swimming
skills. The purpose of the RANST is to ensure fundamental water survival skills as a prerequisite to training such as survival
at sea training. Individual components of the RANST are fundamentally related to the survival at sea scenario. Competency in the RANST is
achieved through successful completion of each component comprising: • a safety jump off a 3m tower in overalls; • a 10m underwater swim in overalls; • a 50m swim using three safety strokes; and • the ability to tread water or float for 15 mins (removal of overalls optional). Note: You will find it much easier to pass the swimming test if you undertake swimming training before you join. All personnel will undertake the RANST upon entry and competency is to be achieved within 15 weeks from commencement
of initial training. Failure of any one component will constitute failure of the entire RANST and no waivers will be granted. It is therefore strongly advised that all candidates considering entry to the Royal Australian For more details on medical and physical standards refer to 'Physical Fitness Standards for Entry into the ADF' and
'Medical Process for Entry into the ADF'.
Period of Service
You will be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of nine years. Subsequent periods of service may be
offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You may tender your resignation at
any time provided you do not have an outstanding Initial Minimum Period of Service obligation and provide a minimum of
three months notice.
Defence Academy Entry Officers become liable to an IMPS from appointment into the ADF. However, the Services will allow
you to resign at any time up to the end of either the first or second year of academic studies. For Defence Academy Entry
Officers in the Navy who undertake Navy training in their first year of appointment, they may resign up until the graduation
day of their first year of study (which generally equates with having completed by then two years of Naval service). Additional Requirements
Royal Australian Navy Swim Test (RANST)
The RANST is conducted to ensure the Navy’s duty of care to all serving personnel, with respect to rudimentary swimming
skills. The purpose of the RANST is to ensure fundamental water survival skills as a prerequisite to training such as survival
at sea training.
Individual components of the RANST are fundamentally related to the survival at sea scenario.
Competency in the RANST is achieved through successful completion of each component comprising: safety jump,
underwater front scull swim of 10 metres, continuous swim for 50 metres, and treading water to remain afloat for 15
minutes.
All personnel will undertake the RANST upon entry and competency is to be achieved within 15 weeks from commencement
of initial training. Failure of any one component will constitute failure of the entire RANST and no waivers will be granted.
It is therefore strongly advised that all candidates considering entry to the Royal Australian Navy are either proficient with
or are working towards gaining swimming skills.
Military Training
Defence Academy Engineering Midshipmen complete a New Entry Officer Course (NEOC) at the Royal Australian Naval
College, HMAS CRESWELL at Jervis Bay on the NSW south coast immediately following entry to the Navy in February.
This 22 week course covers drill and ceremonial, physical training, officer development, oral and written communications,
naval message writing, management and leadership, officer of the day duties, Navy organisation, Defence studies,
character guidance, Navy history, swim test, first aid, small arms training, adventure training, and a training cruise.
Refer to the Joining Instructions for further details on the NEOC.
Training for the remainder of the year will include periods at sea posted to their respective engineering departments and
time ashore with the emphasis being on broadening your understanding of the roles and functions of engineers in the RAN.
Our aim is to let you experience how exciting and rewarding life as a Naval Engineer Officer can be and allow you to decide
if that is what really motivates you. There will also be scope for you to gain an insight into the different engineering
sub-specialisations including Marine Engineer, Electronics Engineer, Aeronautical Engineer, and Electronics Aircraft
Engineer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I be doing in my first year?
You will undertake NEOC with your cohort of Maritime Warfare and Maritime Logistics officers - the people you will work
with closely for the rest of your naval career.
The whole purpose of the program after NEOC is to give you an insight into what an Engineer Officer does at sea, in the
Navy and in the wider Defence organisation. It will be a series of attachments, not unlike industry practice, to show you the
scope of the enterprise you are joining, each being designed to give you a high quality, motivating experience.
Feedback from officers who joined in 2000 and took this path is highly positive, they found the Navy year one highly
enjoyable and motivating. Officers who joined pre-1999 and who missed out on this scheme are highly envious.
A one month maths refresher program is added to the end of this first year for engineering students, to help them prepare
for the first year of their engineering degree.
What if I don't like the sea time?
You will be able to discuss what other options are available to you with your supervising officer. This may include a service
transfer which would depend on available positions and service requirements.
What is the benefit of all that extra training before my studies?
The program has shown that this opportunity to complete naval officer training both motivates people to becoming a
professional Naval Officer and also means you can focus better on your studies at ADFA, with a clear vision of the purpose
and context of your learning.
The academic staff at UNSW-ADFA have reported that the young officers who have come through this scheme are much
more motivated towards their studies and are doing well.
Won't that early sea time learning be lost?
No, the evidence from the young officers who have followed this program so far is that it is highly motivating. The lessons
they learnt at sea are well cemented, and they have said it is a great, first experience of life at sea. The evidence is people
retain this knowledge as the guiding context for their studies at ADFA and beyond.
Will this help my engineering studies?
Yes! Our experience is that personnel who gain engineering experience prior to their academic studies invariably perform
better in those studies. They tend to be more highly motivated to learn more about engineering and can better understand
the theoretical aspects of the degree studies because they can relate that theory to their practical experiences.
During Military (ADFA and NEOC) Training and Employment Training, members may be required to pay a contribution
towards meals, accommodation and utilities.
Employment Training
Engineer Officers’ Application Course
On completion of military training, Marine Engineer Officers (MEOs) undertake an 18 week Engineer Officers’ Application
Course (EOAC) at HMAS CERBERUS in Victoria, commencing in January each year. This course supplements theoretical
degree education with training in fields specific to engineering in the Navy such as warship propulsion systems, hydraulics
and pneumatics, auxiliary systems, warship construction, stability and maintenance administration procedures. The course
is split into three distinct parts as follows:
• EOAC (Common) lasts for 5 weeks, it is conducted as a combined class with the Weapons Electrical Engineer
Officers on course and covers various common aspects of Engineer Officer training such as Engineering Safety,
Technical Administration, Risk Management and Naval Infrastructure;
• The EOAC road trip lasts for one week and involves visits to the various key directorates and organisations in
Canberra and Sydney; and
• EOAC (ME) lasts for 12 weeks and covers specific Marine Engineering subjects.
On completion of the EOAC, the students are posted to a sea-going ship as an Assistant MEO and issued with an
Engineering Requirements Journal, which consists of a series of tasks that need to be completed in order to prepare the
individual for their Marine Engineering Certificate of Competency (MEOCC) examination board, which typically occurs after
twelve to eighteen months of sea training. Achievement of the MEOCC qualifies the individual to be a Deputy MEO in a
major warship and is a significant milestone in a MEO’s training.
At this point the individual can expect to spend two to three years ashore before returning to sea for a two year posting as
a Deputy, during which time they will achieve their Marine Engineering Charge Qualification (MCQ), which is the final
qualification required to enable them to run a Marine Engineering department in a major warship. This they can expect to
do after a further two to three years ashore and promotion to Lieutenant Commander.
Sub Specialist Option
Application to transfer to submarines is open to all sailors and some officers, male and female. Volunteers may apply as
early in their careers as during initial sailor trade and officer primary qualification training.
Officers from the Seaman, Marine Engineer and Weapons Electrical Engineer Primary Qualifications may apply to serve in
submarines.
If Submarine Service interests you, let the Interviewing Officer know at your Recruiting Centre.
Service in submarines is extremely demanding, both emotionally and physically.
Submariners work and live in very close proximity to each other and personal privacy is extremely limited, except when
ashore. Submarine personnel work long hours and are constantly subjected to emotional and physical pressures not found
in surface ships.
Many a new recruit to the Submarine Arm of the Royal Australian Navy believes that he /she has what it takes to become a
good submariner. However, until you have been tested and have experienced the arduous conditions and life inside a
submarine, you won't fully appreciate the difficulties.
Today's Submariner is a unique breed of sailor/officer. They have met the challenges, been tested to the limits of their
endurance and abilities and found to have what it takes to be members of a very demanding arm of the Royal Australian
Navy.
If you think you have what it takes, then you must be prepared for some very demanding personal challenges throughout
your training and employment. If you come through these you will be willingly accepted into the Submarine Arm of the
Royal Australian Navy and welcome to wear 'The Dolphins' (the submariner's badge of distinction).
Employment Location
All officers will serve in fleet units and shore establishments around Australia based on service need. Individual preferences
for posting location will be taken into account where possible.
Many opportunities also exist for short periods (4 – 6 months) of operational service overseas.
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