Royal Australian Navy Pay Scales 2025-2026

Salary rates, allowances, and take-home pay for all RAN ranks. Updated November 2025.

Royal Australian Navy

ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement 2023–2026

Last Updated: 6 November 2025

Source: Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT)

Show:

Rank	Pay Grade	Starting Salary	Maximum Salary	Increments
Recruit Basic recruit training	OR-1	$60,517	$60,517	1 levels
Seaman Junior sailor	OR-2	$76,495	$79,154	3 levels
Able Seaman Qualified sailor	OR-3	$80,524	$83,349	3 levels
Leading Seaman Junior non-commissioned officer	OR-4	$86,966	$89,857	3 levels
Petty Officer Non-commissioned officer	OR-5	$97,575	$100,898	3 levels

Recruit

Basic recruit training

OR-11 levels

Starting

$60,517

Maximum

$60,517

Seaman

Junior sailor

OR-23 levels

Starting

$76,495

Maximum

$79,154

Able Seaman

Qualified sailor

OR-33 levels

Starting

$80,524

Maximum

$83,349

Leading Seaman

Junior non-commissioned officer

OR-43 levels

Starting

$86,966

Maximum

$89,857

Petty Officer

Non-commissioned officer

OR-53 levels

Starting

$97,575

Maximum

$100,898

Salaries effective November 6, 2025 and include Service Allowance. Additional allowances may apply based on role, location, and deployment.

Allowances & Benefits

Superannuation

Employer superannuation contribution

16.4%(vs 12% civilian standard)

Additional Allowances

Service Allowance

Included in base salary to compensate for military service conditions

•Built into published salary rates

Taxable

Deployment Allowance

Paid during warlike or non-warlike operations

•Force-assigned to deployment
•Entered operational area
•Rates vary by operation and threat level
•Reviewed every 6 months

Tax-free

District Allowance

Compensation for living in remote Australian locations

•Primary service location is remote
•Temporary duty in remote area for 21+ days
•Posted to seagoing ship with remote home port
•Rates vary by location and remoteness grade

Taxable

Military Factor Allowance

Compensates for unique hardships of military service environments

•12 tiers based on service environment
•Sea service, flying duties, field operations
•Paid at highest eligible tier per day

Taxable

Separation Allowance

Paid when separated from family due to service requirements

•Separated from dependents for extended periods
•Rates vary by circumstances

Taxable

Sea Going Service Allowance

Paid to Navy personnel serving at sea

•Posted to seagoing vessels
•Rates vary by ship type and deployment

Taxable

Submarine Service Allowance

Additional allowance for submarine service

•Qualified submarine personnel
•Serving on submarines

Taxable

Additional Benefits

Free Medical and Dental Care

Comprehensive medical and dental care for serving members

ADF Family Health Program

Subsidised healthcare for family members

Home Purchase Assistance Scheme

Up to $16,949 (before tax) to assist with home purchase

Subsidised Home Loans

Access to subsidised home loan rates

Rent Allowance

Assistance with rental costs in certain circumstances

Fully Paid Training

Comprehensive training and professional development at no cost

Salary Packaging

Options to package salary for tax benefits

Retention Bonus

Cash bonuses to encourage retention (up to $40,000 from July 2025)

Tax-free allowance

Taxable allowance

About Royal Australian Navy Pay Scales

The Royal Australian Navy uses a rank-based pay structure with 17 rank levels across Enlisted, Warrant Officer, and Officer categories — ranging from $60,517 (Recruit, increment 0) up to $478,781 (most senior officer, top increment). Salaries are set by the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) and reviewed annually.

Superannuation: Royal Australian Navy members receive 16.4% employer superannuation — significantly above the standard civilian rate of 12%. This is a major component of ADF total remuneration.

Salary Data Last Updated

6 November 2025 — Source: Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT)

Key Information

Salaries effective November 6, 2025 (3.4% increase)
Part of ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement 2023-2026
Total 11.2% increase over three years (2023-2026)
Salaries include Service Allowance
Additional allowances may apply (sea service, deployment, etc.)
Superannuation at 16.4% (higher than civilian standard)

Compare with Other ADF Services

See how Royal Australian Navy salaries compare with other ADF services:

Army RAAF All Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for a Navy recruit in 2025-2026?

Navy recruits (OR-1) start at $60,517 per year (effective November 2025). Once qualified as a Seaman (OR-2), the salary range increases to $76,495–$79,154. All base salaries are supplemented by the 16.4% Navy superannuation rate and applicable allowances.

What allowances do Royal Australian Navy personnel receive?

RAN personnel may receive Sea Going Service Allowance for time spent at sea, Submarine Service Allowance for submariners, Deployment Allowance (tax-free) during operational deployments, District Allowance for postings to remote ports, and Military Factor Allowance based on posting conditions. The specific amount varies by role, rank, and location.

How does Navy superannuation compare to civilian jobs?

Navy members receive 16.4% employer superannuation — significantly above the civilian standard of 12%. On a Petty Officer salary of around $97,575 per year, this equates to approximately $16,002 in super contributions annually, compared to $11,709 for a civilian on the same salary. Over a 20-year career, this difference compounds substantially.

What is the salary range for a Navy Officer?

Navy officers start as Midshipman (OF-D) at $60,517, rising to Sub Lieutenant (OF-1) at $76,495–$79,154 and Lieutenant (OF-2) at $95,847–$100,884. Lieutenant Commanders (OF-3) earn $115,629–$121,758 and Commanders (OF-4) earn $135,886–$143,039. Flag officers (Commodore and above) can earn well over $280,000.

How do Navy ranks compare to Army and Air Force ranks?

Navy ranks use different titles but are equivalent by pay grade. A Leading Seaman (OR-4) in the Navy receives the same base salary as a Corporal in the Army and a Corporal in the Air Force. A Commander in the Navy (OF-4) is equivalent in pay to an Army Lieutenant Colonel and an Air Force Wing Commander.

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