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.