Employing veterans in the Victorian Public Sector
If you’re an employer in the Victorian public sector, find out what skills and experience veterans can bring to your team. Veterans possess a wealth of transferable skills, knowledge, and experience gained through their service that align with roles across the public sector.
They also possess qualities that contribute to a positive team culture and add value to every organisation and department. Veterans have worked in mixed military and civilian environments, which makes them highly adaptable and agile. They enhance productivity, solve problems and create solutions that will exceed your expectations.
We have developed a range of resources to support you to understand the benefits of employing veterans:
Employing veterans - accessible Word 55.44 KB (opens in a new window)
Employing veterans PDF 2.27 MB (opens in a new window)
We’d like to hear from you
The Office for Veterans is eager to support public sector employers to build their understanding of how veterans can benefit the workforce and how you can best support veterans in their applications.
We also encourage you to reach out if you come across unfamiliar terms or phrases in veteran job applications.
To contact Office for Veterans, please email: veterans@dffh.vic.gov.au
Understanding ADF ranks
Familiarise yourself with the ADF rank structure, noting that rank does not simply translate to VPS grades.
A basic summary of how a veteran may list their role and what it means:
- Soldier/Sailor/Airman or Airwoman - is a junior rank and the bulk of the ADF workforce.
- Non-Commissioned Officer - responsible for supervising a small team or a number of small teams, and can be a junior or senior.
- Warrant Officer - a senior leader with extensive experience. Also a technical expert and responsible for standards, conduct and assisting achievement of strategic perspective.
- Officer - a person specially selected and trained in command, leadership and management.
We’ve also provided more detail about each ADF rank and equivalent across the Navy, Army and Air Force.
Open all
- Senior Officers
These are executive-level positions equivalent to Senior VPS roles. They have usually served multiple decades in the ADF.
| Navy | Army | Air Force |
|---|---|---|
| Admiral | General | Air Chief Marshal |
| Vice Admiral | Lieutenant General | Air Marshal |
| Rear Admiral | Major General | Air Vice-Marshal |
| Commodore | Brigadier | Air Commodore |
| Captain | Colonel | Group Captain |
- Junior and Mid Ranking Officers
These positions are equivalent to middle management. They take strategic direction to produce operational outcomes. They’re experienced in command, leadership and management.
| Navy | Army | Air Force |
|---|---|---|
| Commander | Lieutenant Colonel | Wing Commander |
| Lieutenant Commander | Major | Squadron Leader |
| Lieutenant | Captain | Flight Lieutenant |
| Sub-Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Flying Officer |
| Acting Sub-Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | Pilot Officer |
| Midshipman | Officer Cadet | Officer Cadet |
- Senior Non-Commissioned and Warrant Officers
Technical specialists who provide advice to senior leaders. They’re equivalent to a supervisor position and are capable of leading a number of teams.
| Navy | Army | Air Force |
|---|---|---|
| Warrant Officer | Warrant Officer Class 1 | Warrant Officer |
| Chief Petty Officer | Warrant Officer Class 2 | Flight Sergeant |
| – | Staff Sergeant | – |
| Petty Officer | Sergeant | Sergeant |
- Junior Enlisted Ranks
They make up most of the ADF workforce and deliver daily tasks. They’re proven junior leaders who can be responsible for small teams.
| Navy | Army | Air Force |
|---|---|---|
| Leading Seaman | Corporal | Corporal |
| – | Lance Corporal | – |
| Able Seaman | [Private Proficient]* | Leading Aircraftman |
| Seaman | Private | Aircraftman |
Updated 8 April 2024
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