Mō te tūranga
About the role
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Specialisations
Combat & Special Operations
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Entry type
General entry
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Under training
$68,860
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Location
Devonport
As a Navy diver you will have to be determined, have a high degree of stamina and physical fitness, work well under pressure, love a challenge and enjoy being part of a strong team environment.
Requirements
Basics
- Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
- Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
Education
3 years secondary school. Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.
Fitness & Medical
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.
Period of Service
There may be a return of service period for this trade.
Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.
We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.
“I’ve lead a team to the Solomon Islands to do some EOD work clearing all the explosive remnants of WWII... To go out and get rid of all that danger for them was pretty cool.”
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
Upon successful enlistment into the Navy you will be posted to Devonport, Auckland. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Navy, and learn various subjects including:
- Teamwork and support
- Naval history and customs
- Drill and parades
- Core mariner skills and weapons training
- First aid and firefighting
- Physical fitness
- Self-discipline
02Job Training
Job Training
After completing your Basic Common Training course, you will begin an intensive and demanding 4-week Defence Diver Course to qualify in Military Diving (to a maximum depth of 30 metres). During this course, you will learn:
- The fundamentals of diving (theory and practice)
- How to conduct seabed and ship’s hull searches
- Maintenance procedures related to military diving
- Shipborne underwater maintenance tasks
- RNZN decompression training
Upon successful completion of the Defence Diver Course, you will undertake a 12-week Surface Supply Diving Course, qualifying you to dive to depths of up to 50 metres. This phase includes:
- Underwater salvage operations
- Underwater engineering tasks
- Dive Medical Technician training
Once qualified, you will be posted to the Survey, Search, and Recovery Team at HMNZS Matataua in Devonport. There, you will perform routine diving operations and continuation training, including ship's hull maintenance and supporting agencies such as the New Zealand Police, New Zealand Customs, and other civil authorities.
At the end of this training phase, you will be qualified as an ADAS Part 3 Construction Diver (Australian Diving Accreditation System – Part Three: Diver to 50 metres).
03Ongoing Training
Ongoing Training
After approximately 18 months of service, you will be eligible to commence the Clearance Diver Course, which is approximately 22 weeks in duration. This advanced course covers:
- Mixed gas diving to depths of up to 54 metres
- Military combat diving using 100% oxygen on a rebreather set
- Mine countermeasure diving, including search and disposal techniques
- Explosive ordnance clearance (below the high-water mark)
- Above and underwater demolitions and explosives training
- Pouncer Operations (mine disposal inserted from a helicopter)
By the time you reach this level — typically within your first four years of Naval service — you will also have the opportunity to gain additional civilian diving qualifications.
04Specialist Training
Specialist Training
During your personal development you will have the opportunity to gain experience in other areas, such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) training and technical administration and maintenance. As a professional Diver, you will be required to instruct and assess Defence Divers.
After appropriate leadership and management courses you will have the opportunity to attend professional courses in the USA, Australia and the UK, and even to gain an internationally recognised ADAS qualification in Construction Diving.
If you think you can find a more exciting way to get one, don't hold your breath...
05Career Progression
Career Progression
You will start your career with initial training before completing your first professional diving course. A period of consolidation with the Clearance Diving Group or at sea will then follow where you will build up your diving and navy experience in preparation for the next level of training. Further courses, promotion and training will follow to assist with career progression and advancement. Civilian recognised qualifications are awarded on completion of Navy dive training.
Once trained, you will be skilled in mine countermeasures, clearance diving, underwater engineering and the disposal of explosive ordnance and improvised explosive devices. You will be employed at sea and ashore in New Zealand and overseas as part of the Navy’s Clearance Diving Group.
This may include land based deployments with organisations such as the United Nations becoming an integral part of our Littoral Warfare Force.
Benefits & allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
- Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
- Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
- Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
- Opportunities to travel
- Free and subsidised medical and dental care
- Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
- Subsidised insurance cover
Salary & benefits
Careers in the Navy are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.
While undertaking Basic Recruit Course you will be paid as a Recruit. On completion of your Recruit Course you will be paid as an Ordinary Rate and your pay will continue to increase as your career progresses.
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Under training
$68,860
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Future potential earnings
$98,000
Be Prepared
Am I fit enough?
If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.
Medical & Fitness
The application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application process
Ready to start your Navy career?
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