Maritime Trainee

Serco is a place where you can grow

Join Serco Defence and build practical maritime skills while contributing to the safe delivery of marine services supporting Defence.

As part of your two-year traineeship, you’ll learn alongside experienced maritime professionals and develop capability across vessel operations, seamanship, maintenance and marine engineering. You’ll work towards achieving, at minimum, your Master <24m Near Coastal and Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 Near Coastal qualifications.

You’ll also have access to:

• Ongoing professional development and training support
• Access to employee wellbeing and assistance programs
• Career opportunities within a multinational services company
• Employee Networks supporting diversity and inclusion
• Meaningful work supporting Australia’s Defence capability
• Attractive veteran and community benefits

Make an Impact

This is an opportunity to start or develop your maritime career while working on vessels that support Defence operations around Australia.

As a Maritime Trainee within Serco Defence Marine Support Services, you’ll gain practical experience across harbour services, marine operations, vessel maintenance and engineering while completing a structured two-year development pathway. You’ll work alongside experienced marine professionals who’ll help you build the skills, qualifications and confidence to progress your career in the maritime industry.

You’ll:

• Support marine operations including general harbour and other Defence marine services
• Develop practical seamanship skills including berthing, unberthing, anchoring, rope handling, helmsman and lookout duties
• Participate in shipboard drills, exercises and operational activities
• Assist with vessel maintenance and marine engineering activities as your skills and qualifications develop
• Maintain vessel safety records, logs, checklists and operational documentation
• Learn safe working practices across marine operations, engineering and environmental activities
• Work closely with vessel Masters, crew, Serco teams and Defence stakeholders
• Build the practical experience required to progress towards your maritime qualifications

The role may also involve after-hours tasking, travel and work at other Serco Defence locations depending on operational and training requirements.

Serco is a place for you

You don’t need to have built an entire maritime career already. What matters is that you’re ready to learn, comfortable working as part of a crew and serious about building a career on the water.

You’ll bring a strong safety mindset, a practical approach and the willingness to learn from experienced maritime professionals. You’ll take pride in doing things properly, contribute to the team and understand the responsibility that comes with operating in a Defence marine environment.

You’ll ideally have:

• A genuine interest in developing a career in the maritime industry
• A willingness to undertake practical and formal training throughout the two-year traineeship
• The ability to work safely and effectively as part of a vessel crew
• A practical mindset and willingness to learn vessel operations and maintenance
• The ability to undertake operational tasking and travel when required
• A current Australian Class C driver’s licence is desirable
• The ability to obtain and maintain First Aid certification
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Maritime Security Identification Card where required by the business

Veterans and people with previous Defence, marine, boating or practical trade experience are encouraged to apply. Equally, if you’re looking to establish yourself in the maritime industry and are prepared to learn, we’d like to hear from you.

Please note:

• This position carries trust and responsibility. To support this, a comprehensive probity assessment, including a National Police Check, is a key part of the selection process for this role.

• As this role requires an Australian Defence Security Clearance, applicants must be Australian Citizens and eligible to obtain and maintain that clearance. If successful, Serco will manage and sponsor the clearance process.

Are you ready to do important work that really matters?

At Serco, we bring together the right people, the right technology and the right partners to deliver services that make a meaningful difference.

By joining our Defence Marine Support Services team, you’ll have the opportunity to develop recognised maritime skills while contributing to the safe and effective delivery of services supporting Australia’s Defence capability.

We seek and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds and cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQI+ people, veterans and people with disability.

Impact a better future at Serco.