The chief of Navy is the most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Navy, responsible to the chief of the Defence Force (CDF) and the secretary of defence. The rank associated with the position is vice admiral (3-star).
Vice Admiral Matt Buckley is the current chief of Navy; he assumed the position on 7 July 2026.
Appointees
The following list chronologically records those who have held the post of chief of Navy or its preceding positions. Rank and honours are as at the completion of the individual's tours.
Rank and prefix Name Postnominal(s) Service Term began Term ended Time in appointment Director, Commonwealth Naval Forces Rear Admiral Sir CNF First Naval Member, Australian Commonwealth Naval Board Rear Admiral Sir RAN Rear Admiral Sir RN Vice Admiral Sir RN Rear Admiral RN Rear Admiral RN Vice Admiral Sir RN Admiral Sir RN/RAN Admiral Sir RN Admiral Sir RN Admiral Sir RN Vice Admiral Sir RAN Vice Admiral Sir RAN Vice Admiral Sir RAN Vice Admiral Sir RAN Vice Admiral Sir RAN Vice Admiral Sir RAN Vice Admiral Sir RAN Vice Admiral Sir RAN Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Sir RAN Vice Admiral Sir RAN Vice Admiral RAN AdmiralHudson was promoted to vice admiral and appointed Chief of Naval Staff on 21 April 1985. He served in that position as a vice admiral for almost 6 years. On the day of his retirement, 8 March 1991, Prime Minister Bob Hawke promoted Hudson to the rank of admiral to honour his distinguished forty-four years of service to the Navy. Obituary , Naval Historical Review, March 2005, pp.32-33. Australian Naval History on 8 March 1991, Naval Historical Society of Australia. RAN Vice Admiral RAN Vice Admiral RAN Chief of Navy Vice Admiral RAN Vice Admiral RAN Vice Admiral RAN Vice Admiral RAN Vice Admiral RAN Vice Admiral RAN Vice Admiral RAN Vice Admiral RAN Vice Admiral RAN Vice Admiral RAN Vice Admiral RAN Incumbent
Notes