Rank

Rank describes organisational and workforce structures that determine a member’s position, conditions, opportunities and entitlements (such as pay and conditions). The analysis here is based on rank at time of separation. It is presented in two broad groups: commissioned officers and all ranks other than commissioned officer.

Of the ex-serving members, about 14% were commissioned officers and 86% were all ranks other than commissioned officer. These proportions were similar for males and females.

Table 4: Ex-serving members by rank, as of 31 December 2019

Rank

Males
(Number)

Males
(Per cent)

Females
(Number)

Females
(Per cent)

Persons
(Number)

Persons
(Per cent)

Commissioned officer(a)

29,751

13.6

5,832

14.2

35,583

13.7

All ranks other than
commissioned officer(b)

189,597

86.4

35,377

85.8

224,974

86.3

Total ex-serving(c)

219,411

100.0

41,213

100.0

260,624

100.0

(a) An appointed Defence member who holds a rank of Midshipman or Officer Cadet, or higher.

(b) A Defence member who holds a Sailor, Other Ranks or Airman/Airwoman rank.

(c) Sum of component items do not equal totals. There were 63 ex-serving males and 4 ex-serving females who did not have a rank.

Source: AIHW analysis of linked Defence Historical Personnel data–PMKeyS–NDI data 1985–2019.

Ex-serving members who were commissioned officers at time of separation were more likely to be aged 65 years and over (32%). In comparison, one in ten (10%) ex-serving members who were all ranks other than commissioned officer at time of separation were aged 65 years and over.