Ranks of the Royal Australian Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force inherited its rank structure from the Royal Air Force. The RAF based its officer ranks on the Royal Navy, and its airmen ranks on the British Army.

Unlike the RAF, RAAF rank abbreviations are always written in uppercase without spaces (e.g. PLTOFF, not Plt Off). Also, the RAAF does not have the ranks of Senior Aircraftman, Junior Technician, Chief Technician or Master Aircrew.

Rank insignia is very similar to that of the RAF, with the exception of LAC/W (which is one chevron (two bladed propellor in RAF)). Both officers and airmen wear rank on the shoulder, however it is worn on the sleeve of the ceremonial jacket (lower sleeve for officers, upper sleeve for airmen). The word 'Australia' appears immediately below all rank insignia worn on the shoulder.

The most senior active rank of the RAAF, (Air Marshal - a 3-star rank), is held by the Chief of Air Force. On the occasions that the Chief of the Defence Force is a RAAF officer, that officer holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal. The rank of Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force has never been held as an active rank. It is currently held as an honorary/ceremonial rank by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.