Air Force ranks
Officers
Air Chief Marshal
ACM
The rank of Air Chief Marshal is reserved for Air Force officers serving as the Chief of the Defence Force.
Air Marshal
AIRMSHL
The Air Marshal is the Chief of Air Force.
Air Vice-Marshal
AVM
Air Vice-Marshals lead Air Force commands - Air Force Headquarters or Air Command - or high-level tri-Service units or projects (eg, Defence Health Service, New Air Combat Capability Project).
Air Commodore
AIRCDRE
Air Commodores are typically directors-general within Air Force Headquarters or commanders of Force Element Groups. Air Commodores and higher-ranked officers are sometimes described as 'air ranked officers' (senior managers).
Group Captain
GPCAPT
Group Captains are leaders within groups, typically directors within Air Force Headquarters or officers commanding wings
Wing Commander
WGCDR
Wing Commanders are leaders within wings, typically commanding officers of squadrons
Squadron Leader
SQNLDR
Squadron Leaders are leaders within squadrons, typically commanding a flight within a squadron. Squadron Leaders are the most junior senior officers (middle managers).
Flight Lieutenant
FLTLT
Flight Lieutenants are fully competent in their work and able to lead detachments or sections. A Warrant Officer who takes a commission will be granted Flight Lieutenant rank.
Flying Officer
FLGOFF
Flying Officers are expected to be competent in their work. A Flight Sergeant with tertiary qualifications who takes a commission will be granted Flying Officer rank.
Pilot Officer
PLTOFF
Pilot Officers are junior officers who have recently graduated from Officers' Training School or the Australian Defence Force Academy. A Sergeant who takes a commission will be granted Pilot Officer rank.
Airmen and Airwomen
Warrant Officer of the Air Force
WOFF-AF
There is just one Warrant Officer of the Air Force, who is the senior non-commissioned officer in the Air Force and represents airmen and airwomen to the Chief of Air Force.
Warrant Officer
WOFF
Warrant Officers are senior airmen and airwomen and are typically experts in their field
Flight Sergeant
FSGT
Flight Sergeants are senior non-commissioned officers typically serving in specialised roles
Sergeant
SGT
Sergeants are senior non-commissioned officers and typically lead small groups of junior airmen and airwomen
Corporal
CPL
Corporals are fully competent in their work and be able to provide direction to more junior airmen and airwomen as a first step in developing their leadership skills
Leading Aircraftman/Leading Aircraftwoman
LAC/LACW
Leading Aircraftmen and Aircraftwomen have successfully completed their trade training and performance review
Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman
AC/ACW
Aircraftman or Aircraftwoman is the most junior rank within the Air Force, typically held for one year following completion of recruit training at No 1 Recruit Training Unit
Note
The above descriptions of the responsibilities of officers, airmen and airwomen are examples only. The actual responsibilities of specific positions vary widely.