The Australian Defence Force's (ADF) ranks of officers and enlisted personnel in each of its three service branches of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) inherited their rank structures from their British counterparts. The insignia used to identify these ranks are also generally similar to those used in the British Armed Forces.
The following tables show the "equivalent rank and classifications" for the three services, as defined in the ADF Pay and Conditions Manual. "Equivalent rank" means the corresponding rank set out under Regulation 8 of the Defence Force Regulations 1952.
Commissioned officer ranks
Warrant Officer ranks
- Note that the most senior Warrant Officer in each of the three services is appointed and promoted to either Warrant Officer of the Navy WO-N, Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army RSM-A, or Warrant Officer of the Air Force WOFF-AF, as appropriate. Although these are positional appointments, these three members hold the rank of Warrant Officer in their respective services and each wear special insignia, different from the rank insignia worn by other warrant officers. The RAN and the RAAF have two warrant officer ranks, the army has three. The soldier appointed Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (RSM-A) holds the unique Army rank of Warrant Officer (introduced in 1991 and senior to WO1). The Army rank of WO2 is the equivalent of the RAN and the RAAF's most senior NCOs, (i.e. Chief Petty Officer and Flight Sergeant). As Army WO2s hold a Warrant, while the RAN CPO and RAAF FSGT do not, WO2s are addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am" by junior ranks, which extends to OCDTs and SCDTs.
Non-Commissioned Officer ranks
Other ranks
- Private proficient is not an ADF rank. It is a proficiency point for which a higher rate of salary is provided.
Insignia
Commissioned officer ranks
The rank insignia of commissioned officers.
Student officer ranks
Other ranks
The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
History of Royal Australian Navy enlisted ranks
The historical changes to rank insignia for enlisted personnel of the navy.
History of Australian Army enlisted ranks
Note: Staff sergeants still exist, but no one is promoted into the role.
See also
- Royal Australian Navy ranks and uniforms
- Australian Army officer rank insignia
- Australian Army enlisted rank insignia
- Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) rank insignia
Notes
References
External links
- ADF Badges of rank (copyright)
- ADF Pay & Conditions Manual - Equivalent ranks and classifications
