Like the British Army, the Australian Army does not use the term 'enlisted' to describe its non-commissioned ranks. Instead, personnel who are not commissioned officers are referred to as other ranks. These are soldiers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and warrant officers (WOs). Warrant officers are appointed by a warrant which is signed by the Chief of the Army. The insignia for non-commissioned ranks are identical to the British Army up to the rank of warrant officer class two. Since 1976, WO1s and the WO in the Australian Army wear insignia using the Australian Coat of Arms.
Warrant officer (WO) – E9 – the rank held by the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (RSM-A), and introduced in 1991.
Warrant officer class one (WO1) – E9
Warrant officer class two (WO2) – E8
Staff sergeant (SSGT)2 – E7
Sergeant (SGT) – E6
Corporal or bombardier (CPL or BDR) – E5
Lance corporal or lance bombardier (LCPL or LBDR) – E4
Bombardier and lance bombardier are used by members of RAA. All other corps use corporal and lance corporal.
Private proficient (PTE(P)) – E3. Also used within the private equivalent ranks3
Private (PTE) – E2. This title is used by members of the following corps: RACT, RAAOC, RAAPC, RAINF, RAAMC, RAADC, AustInt and AACC
Different rank titles are used by other corps. These soldiers hold the same rank as a PTE (private equivalent) – E2
Musician (MUSN): AABC
Signalman (SIG): RASigs4[1]
Gunner (GNR): RAA
Trooper (TPR): RAAC, AAAvn, SASR
Sapper (SPR): RAE
Craftsman (CFN): RAEME4
Patrolman: Regional Force Surveillance Units (RFSUs) such as NORFORCE
Private (pre-completion of initial employment training) – E16
Recruit (REC /PTE(R)): Members who are undergoing basic training – E0
Private (and equivalent) soldiers in the Australian Army are still commonly referred to as 'diggers'.
Warrant officer appointments and special insignia
There are a number of appointments held by the senior warrant officers in the Australian Army. These are appointments, not ranks. In general, the rank of the incumbents of these positions is WO1, and they wear the WO1 rank insignia. Due to it having its own special insignia which is worn instead of the WO1 rank insignia, the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army (RSM-A)1 is unusual. (The RSM-A holds the unique rank of warrant officer (WO), which is senior to WO1).
Other appointments include:
Academy sergeant major (ASM): "One WO1 is appointed every 3 to 4 years to serve at the Australian Defence Force Academy as the ASM, the position is rotational with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force."
Unit level appointments:
Regimental sergeant major (RSM): The senior soldier in a regiment/battalion sized unit. Known as the RSM, even in units designated as battalions. RSMs hold the rank of WO1.
Company/squadron/battery sergeant major (CSM/SSM/BSM): The senior soldier in a company/squadron/battery sized sub-unit. Holds the rank WO2.
Artificer sergeant major (ASM): The senior soldier in a RAEME unit. Can be a WO1 or WO2.
