The Australian Defence Organisation armed forces of the Commonwealth of Australia , the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and the Australian Public Service government department, the Department of Defence which is composed of a range of civilian support organisations.
The Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) leads the Australian Defence Force and the Secretary of Defence leads the Department of Defence though both jointly manage the Australian Defence Organisation under a diarchy , and both report directly to the Minister for Defence .
The highest active rank in the Australian Defence Force is reserved for the Chief of the Defence Force . This is a four-star rank and the CDF is the only Australian military officer at that level. As a result of the diarchy, the Secretary of the Department of Defence is of the equivalent civilian four-star level in the Senior Executive Service of the Australian Public Service .
Command and Control
The Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force is set out under Section 68 of the Constitution of Australia , stating "the command in chief of the naval and military forces of the Commonwealth is vested in the Governor-General as the King's representative".
In practice, the Governor-General is the ceremonial head of the Australian Defence Force and command and control power is delegated to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence . The National Security Committee of Cabinet also plays an important role in the strategic direction of the Australian Defence Organisation including directing overseas deployments and going to war.
Five-star level
Currently the five-star level is not an active serving rank in the Australian Defence Force . Australia has only had one active serving five-star rank officer within the armed forces of the Commonwealth of Australia . This was Sir Thomas Blamey who was appointed Field Marshal in the Australian Army in 1950 and presented his field marshal's baton by the then Governor-General William McKell . Blamey was seriously ill at the time and died three months later.
Until his death, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh held the ranks of Field Marshal , Admiral of the Fleet , and Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force . He was appointed to each rank on 2 April 1954.
His Majesty George VI was also appointed Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force , maintaining the rank from 2 June 1939 until his death on 6 February 1952.
Four-star level
In the Australian Defence Force , guided by the Defence Force Regulations 1952 , the level of four-star rank is that of commissioned officer O-10 in the Australian Defence Force ranks code. This means the Australian Army rank of general , the Royal Australian Navy rank of admiral , and the Royal Australian Air Force rank of air chief marshal .
In the Australian Public Service , guided by the Public Service Act 1999 , the level of four-star rank is the equivalent civilian level of Senior Executive Service Band 4, which is styled as secretary with the leadership of a department.
Three-star level
In the Australian Defence Force , guided by the Defence Force Regulations 1952 , the level of three-star rank is that of commissioned officer O-9 in the Australian Defence Force ranks code. This means the Australian Army rank of lieutenant general , the Royal Australian Navy rank of vice admiral , and the Royal Australian Air Force rank of air marshal .
In the Australian Public Service , guided by the Public Service Act 1999 , the level of three-star rank is the equivalent civilian level of Senior Executive Service Band 3 , which is styled as associate secretary or deputy secretary (DEPSEC) or a chief portfolio officer , with the leadership of a group or agency.
Australian Defence Force
Department of Defence
Two-star level
In the Australian Defence Force , guided by the Defence Force Regulations 1952 , the level of two-star rank is that of commissioned officer O-8 in the Australian Defence Force ranks code. This means the Australian Army rank of major general , the Royal Australian Navy rank of rear admiral , and the Royal Australian Air Force rank of air vice marshal .
In the Australian Public Service , guided by the Public Service Act 1999 , the level of two-star rank is the equivalent civilian level of Senior Executive Service Band 2 , which is styled as First Assistant Secretary (FAS), General Manager , Chief or Head with the leadership of a division or agency.
Head of Force Design Head of Centenary of ANZAC Head of Joint Capability Management and Integration Head of Military Strategic Commitments Head of Reserve and Youth and Commander of the Australian Defence Force Cadets Executive Director of the Australian Civil-Military Centre Head of Joint Systems
Head of Maritime Systems
General manager for Submarines
Head of Future Submarine Program
General manager for Ships
Head of Land Systems
Head of Helicopter Systems
Head of Aerospace Systems
Head of Joint Strike Fighter Program
General Counsel and First Assistant Secretary for Commercial
First Assistant Secretary for Program Performance
Group Business Manager
Chief Finance Officer Chief of Science Strategy and Program
Chief of Science Partnerships and Engagement
Chief of Research Services
Chief of Maritime
Chief of Land
Chief of Aerospace
Chief of Joint and Operations Analysis
Chief of National Security and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
Chief of Cyber and Electronic Warfare
Chief of Weapons and Combat Systems
Chief Technology Officer
Head of ICT Operations
First Assistant Secretary for ICT Delivery
Defence People Group
First Assistant Secretary for People Capability
First Assistant Secretary for People Policy and Culture
First Assistant Secretary for People Services
Defence Security and Estate Group
First Assistant Secretary for Service Delivery
First Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure
Chief Finance Officer Group
First Assistant Secretary for Financial Services
First Assistant Secretary for Resource and Assurance
Associate Secretary Group
First Assistant Secretary for Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication
First Assistant Secretary for Governance and Reform
First Assistant Secretary for Audit and Fraud Control
First Assistant Secretary for Security and Vetting Service
Inspector General
Judge Advocate General (JAG)Chief Judge Advocate
Head of Defence Legal
See also
References
External links
Command Organisation
Ships and
Current fleet (Anzac -class frigateAdelaide -class frigateCollins -class submarineCanberra -class landing helicopter dockBay-class landing ship , Armidale -class patrol boatHuon -class minehunterHMAS Sirius , Leeuwin -class survey vesselPaluma -class motor launchYoung Endeavour Cape-class patrol boat )All ships Aircraft Naval procurement programme Equipment Craft of Opportunity Program Installations Personnel Current History Other Former
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