Naval Volunteer Reserve Regulations

Legislation au C1922L00075 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1922. No. 75.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE NAVAL DEFENCE ACT 1910-1918

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, to come into operation forthwith.

Dated 31st this day of May, 1922.

(Sgd.) Forster

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

W. MASSY GREENE,

Minister of State for Defence.

 

NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE REGULATIONS.

Citation.

1. These Regulations shall be cited as the Naval Volunteer Reserve Regulations.

Definitions.

2. In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears:—

“Naval Board” means the Board of Administration for the Naval Forces.

“Director” means the officer appointed by the Naval Board to be Director of Naval Reserves and Naval Reserve Mobilization.

“Naval Volunteer Reserve” means the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve.

“Member” means a member of the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve.

“Officer” includes commissioned, warrant, and subordinate officers, but does not include petty officers.

“Men” includes all members other than officers except when otherwise expressly stated or inferred.

Constitution.

3. The Naval Volunteer Reserve is constituted under the Naval Defence Act as a section of the Citizen Naval Forces.

Eligibility for Enrolment.

Persons ineligible.

4. (1) The following shall be ineligible for enrolment in the Naval Volunteer Reserve:—

(a) A member of the Permanent Naval or Military Forces of the Commonwealth.

(b) An officer on the Active or Retired List of any other Naval or Military Force.

(c) A member of the Royal Australian Fleet Reserve.

(d) A member of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve (sea-going).

(e) A civilian officer or employee of the Defence Department of the Commonwealth.

(f) A person undergoing or liable to undergo compulsory training under Part XII. of the Defence Act.


Persons eligible.

(2) Subject to the foregoing sub-regulation and to sub-regulation (4) of this regulation, the following persons may be enrolled in the Naval Volunteer Reserve:—

(a) A person who follows the sea as a profession.

(b) An ex-member of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve who has completed his term of compulsory naval training as prescribed under Part XII. of the Defence Act.

(c) A person who, in recreation, follows the sea, and is desirous of sea service in time of war.

(d) Any person who, although he does not follow the sea, is interested in or connected with matters concerning shipping.

(e) A skilled craftsman, such as plumber, carpenter, joiner, shipwright, telegraphist, or electrician.

(3) An officer on the Retired or Emergency List of another Naval or Military Force will be eligible for enrolment in the Naval Volunteer Reserve, provided that he resigns his commission in such force and is otherwise eligible under sub-regulation (2) of this regulation.

Descent and physical fitness.

(4) No person who is ineligible as regards descent for service in the Commonwealth Naval Forces, or who fails to pass the prescribed Medical Examination, as laid down in the Naval Defence Act, may be enrolled in the Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Age.

(5) Subject to the provisions of regulation 9, there are no restrictions with regard to the age of entry.

Liability for War Service.

5. A member shall be liable to be called upon to serve in any branch of the Naval Service within the limits of the Australian Naval Station upon the Naval Volunteer Reserve being mobilized by Proclamation in time of war or emergency and may be required to continue to serve until the termination of the war, notwithstanding that his period of engagement or re-engagement may have expired.

Precedence and Command.

6. (1) Members of the Naval Volunteer Reserve shall rank with, but after persons of the corresponding rank or rating in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve.

Command.

(2) Unless ordered to do so by a superior Naval Officer, an Officer of the Naval Volunteer Reserve shall not assume any naval command or authority except of or over members of the Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Rating on Entry.

7. Every person enrolling in the Naval Volunteer Reserve shall be entered with the rating of Able Seaman, or the equivalent rating of another branch of the Naval Forces.

Engagement and Retirement.

Period of engagement.

8. (1) Every person who is enrolled in the Naval Volunteer Reserve shall engage himself to serve for a period of not less than five years.

Re-enrolment.

(2) A member may be re-enrolled for further successive periods of five years, provided he is medically fit.


(3) The period of enrolment or re-enrolment under the above sub-regulations shall in any case be subject to the conditions regarding compulsory retirement prescribed in regulation 9.

Oath or affirmation.

(4) Every volunteer, upon enrolment, shall be required to take and subscribe an oath or affirmation of enlistment in accordance with the form prescribed in the Naval Defence Act.

Retirement.

9. (1) A member shall be compulsorily retired on attaining the age of 55 years in the case of a rating, and 58 years in the case of an officer, provided that in special cases the Governor-General may approve of the retention of the services of any member, who is otherwise desirable and medically fit, for a further period, not exceeding two years.

Discharge.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in regulation 8, a member may, except in time of war, claim his discharge before the expiration of the period of service for which he engaged, on giving three months’ notice in writing to the District or Sub-District Naval Officer concerned, through the Commanding Officer of his section, of his intention to claim his discharge, and on payment of the sum of £1, provided that the District Naval Officer may, if special reasons for doing so exist, give authority for this payment to be waived.

Promotion.

10. The qualifications for advancement of members of the Naval Volunteer Reserve shall conform as closely as possible to those laid down for the promotion of equivalent ranks and ratings in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, provided that promotion shall be dependent upon vacancies existing, except in regard to “additional” Officers and Men as prescribed in regulation 15.

11. Officers shall be appointed on promotion by the Governor-General, on the recommendation of the Naval Board—

(a) from volunteers who have held commissioned or warrant rank in any other Naval Force;

(b) from those who hold certificates which render them competent to perform the duties of such rank;

(c) from amongst candidates who have qualified by examination;

(d) from those who possess the necessary qualifications for a particular post.

(2) Petty Officers and Leading Ratings shall be rated by the District Naval Officer from amongst candidates who have qualified by examination and service or, subject to the approval of the Naval Board, others who possess the necessary qualifications for a particular post.

Organization.

Responsibility of D.N.R.M.

12. The Director of Naval Reserves and Naval Reserve Mobilization shall, under the Naval Board, be charged with the administration of all matters relating to the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve other than finance and stores, or as may be prescribed.


Organization.

13. (1) The Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve shall be organized into districts, which shall be identical with the districts of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve.

(2) Each district shall be divided into as many sections as may be approved.

Districts and sections.

14. The districts and sections of the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve, the respective naval officers commanding, and the drill halls or places of assembly, shall be such as the Naval Board may from time to time prescribe.

Establishments of Officers and Men.

15. The establishment of the various districts and sections shall be as laid down by the Naval Board, except that additional Officers and Men in excess of the establishment of any particular section may be appointed, subject to the approval of the Naval Board, for the purposes of administration.

Uniform—Officers.

16. The uniform to be worn by an Officer of the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve shall be of pattern similar to that authorized for officers of corresponding ranks in the Royal Australian Navy, with the following exceptions:—

(a) The buttons on the monkey-jacket shall be black and display the Royal Australian Navy anchor and the letters “R.A.N.V.”

(b) The cap badge shall display the letters “R.A.N.V.” above the anchor.

(c) Black braid shall be worn on the sleeve instead of gold distinctive lace.

17. An Officer shall be supplied, at Government expense, with one cap badge and eight buttons, and shall be required to provide himself with such further articles of uniform as may be prescribed by the Naval Board.

Completion of kit on mobilization.

18. Upon mobilization for war or emergency, an Officer shall be paid a gratuity towards cost of outfit, and will be required to provide himself with such additional articles of uniform as may be prescribed by the Naval Board.

Uniform—Men.

Description of uniform.

19. The uniform to be worn by a rating in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve shall be similar to Class III. uniform as authorized for ratings of the Permanent Naval Forces, except as regards buttons and cap badges.

Badges.

20. (1) A rating shall wear the badges of the substantive and non-substantive ratings for which he may qualify, such badges being red and of the same pattern as those authorized for the Permanent Naval Forces.

(2) A red badge displaying the letters “R.A.N.V.” shall be worn on each lapel of the collar, and, in addition, Chief Petty Officers shall wear, above the letters, a crown on each lapel of the collar.


Articles issued free of cost.

21. (1) A rating shall be supplied at Government expense, on enrolment, with the following articles:—

1 Cap Badge, Class III. pattern, with the letters “R.A.N.V.”;

8 Black Buttons of the same pattern as those for Officers;

1 Set of Badges according to his rating;

1 Set of Letters “R.A.N.V.”;

1 Pair of Brown Leggings;

and shall be required to supply himself with such further articles of uniform as may be directed by the Naval Board.

(2) On promotion to a higher substantive rating or on qualifying in an additional non-substantive rating, the appropriate badges shall be issued to a rating at Government expense.

Completion of kit on mobilization.

22. Upon mobilization for war or emergency, a rating shall be paid a gratuity towards cost of outfit and shall be required to provide himself with such other articles as may be directed by the Naval Board.

Uniform—General.

Part uniform, part plain clothes forbidden.

23. A member shall not be permitted to dress partly in uniform and partly in civilian clothes.

Decorations and medals.

24. Decorations and medals shall be worn in conformity with the King’s Regulations and Admiralty Instructions.

Uniform—when to be worn.

25. (1) A member shall be required to wear the prescribed uniform when on duty, assembled for parade, or attending drills.

(2) A member shall be permitted to wear his uniform on ceremonial and other occasions as prescribed by the regulations.

(3) Uniform shall not be worn otherwise than as prescribed in the foregoing sub-regulations.

Training.

Volunteer general lines of training.

26. The scheme of training of members of the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve shall be such as may be approved by the Naval Board from time to time.

Training year.

27. The training year shall commence on the 1st July of any year, and extend to 30th June of the following year.

Arrangements for drills.

28. (1) District Naval Officers shall arrange the instruction in their districts in accordance with the orders issued by the Director, and Sub-District Naval Officers shall be responsible that all drills in their sub-districts are carried out as directed by the District Naval Officer.

(2) No drills may be held during normal business hours nor on Saturdays during the yachting season, and otherwise drills shall be ordered at such times as shall least interfere with the private business of members.

(3) For the purpose of training, a whole day’s drill shall be of not less than four hours, and a half day’s drill of not less than two hours duration.

Periods of obligatory training.

29. (1) A member shall be required to complete the following prescribed courses of training:—

During year of enrolment.

(a) Fourteen days’ drill during the training year in which first enrolment takes place. This drill shall include at least seven days’ continuous service in one of H.M.A. Ships or Establishments.


During each alternate year.

(b) Fourteen days each alternate year following they year in which first enrolment takes place. This drill shall include at least seven days’ continuous service in one of H.M.A. Ships or Establishments other than Royal Australian Naval Reserve Depôts.

(2) The biennial training prescribed under paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (1) must be completed within either one of the two training years concerned, and may be carried out wholly in one of H.M.A Shops or Establishments if preferred, provided that every member shall attend one registration muster at his authorized drill hall in each quarter.

Continuous training may be waived.

(3) Should no opportunity occur within any training year for the carrying out of continuous training in one of H.M.A. Ships or Establishments, such training may, with the authority of the District Naval Officer, be waived.

Failure to attend drills

(4) A member who, being a person liable to training as prescribed in these Regulations, fails, without sufficient reason to attend the required number of drills during the training year shall be liable to be discharged from the Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Programme of drills to be notified.

30. (1) The District Naval Officer shall inform all members within his district, by means of a drill card, of the drills (in drill halls) arranged.

Commanding Officers of sections to notify dates convenient.

(2) The Commanding Officer of each section shall inform the District Naval Officer of the dates upon which it is convenient for the members of his section to carry out their obligatory training in one of H.M.A. Ships of Establishments, and such information shall be forwarded by the District Naval Officer to the Director.

Presence of H.M.A. ships in port to be availed of.

(3) Should an occasion arise when the visit of one or more H.M.A Ships to a port provides opportunity for training afloat, the District Naval Officer shall inform the Commanding Officers of the sections concerned in order that any volunteers, able and willing to do so, may avail themselves of such opportunity.

Voluntary training and service.

31. A member who volunteers in time of peace for training or service with the Seagoing Forces in addition to the period of obligatory training required of him, may, if his services are required, be permitted to serve in one of H.M.A. Ships or Establishments for a limited period.

Disciplin

32. A member, whilst undergoing continuous training or whilst serving in one of H.M.A. Ships or Establishments, shall be borne on the books of such Ship or Establishment, and shall be subject to the Naval Discipline Act as applied by the Naval Defence Act.

Pay and Allowances.

During training

33. A member shall not receive any pay or allowances during the period of training in drill rooms as prescribed in regulation 29; but, during continuous training or voluntary service in one of H.M.A. Ships or Establishments, rates of pay and allowances as prescribed for the Permanent Naval Forces (Sea-Going), (with the exception of Deferred Pay, Married Allowance, and Dependent Allowance) shall be paid.

When called up by proclamation.

34. When called up by proclamation in time of war or emergency, a member shall be paid the rates of pay and allowances prescribed for his corresponding rank or rating in the Permanent Naval Forces (Sea-going), as prescribed in the Naval Financial Regulations (including Deferred Pay and Married and Dependant Allowances).


35. (1) Service while called up by Proclamation shall count for the purpose of increase of pay governed by service.

(2) An Officer shall not be entitled to pay according to his seniority as stated in the Navy List, but shall receive the lowest rate of pay of his rank, except as provided in sub-regulation (3).

(3) Service during the late war in a confirmed rank shall count for increase of full pay in that rank, and any application to credit an Officer with a rate of pay above the minimum rate of his rank is to be forwarded to the Naval Board for consideration.

Medical treatment and compensation for injuries.

36. A member of the Naval Volunteer Reserve shall also be entitled to receive medical treatment and compensation for injuries sustained or disease contracted whilst on duty, and his dependants to compensation in the event of the member’s being killed or dying whilst on duty, under the same conditions and at the same rates as may from time to time be approved for members fo the Royal Australian Naval Reserve.

Overview

The Naval Volunteer Reserve Regulations 1922 were enacted by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, under the authority of the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918. This legislative instrument was introduced to provide a structured framework for the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve, ensuring it could effectively contribute to naval defence efforts. The regulations outline eligibility criteria, service obligations, training requirements, and the conditions under which members can be discharged or retired. Members of the Naval Volunteer Reserve are expected to serve for a minimum of five years, with provisions for re-enrolment and extensions in special circumstances. The regulations also detail the responsibilities of the Director of Naval Reserves and Naval Reserve Mobilization, the organisation of the reserve into districts and sections, and the procedures for promotions and training. The policy objective of these regulations is to maintain a ready and capable Naval Volunteer Reserve that can be mobilised in times of war or emergency, ensuring the defence of Australia's maritime interests.

Scope and Application

The Naval Volunteer Reserve Regulations, made under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, pertain specifically to the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve, defining its structure, membership, and operational protocols. These Regulations apply to individuals and entities involved in the Naval Volunteer Reserve, including officers and ratings, and are administered under the oversight of the Naval Board and the Director of Naval Reserves and Naval Reserve Mobilization. The geographic reach of these Regulations is national, applying across Australia. Membership eligibility is restricted to those who follow the sea as a profession, have completed compulsory naval training, or have an interest in maritime matters, excluding certain categories such as members of the Permanent Naval Forces, Royal Australian Fleet Reserve, and Royal Australian Naval Reserve (sea-going). The Regulations outline the conditions of enlistment, periods of service, retirement, promotion, and training, stipulating that members must pass a medical examination and adhere to a specific uniform code. Additionally, the Regulations specify the conditions for pay, allowances, and medical treatment for members, with certain exclusions such as Deferred Pay, Married Allowance, and Dependent Allowance during training periods. The application of these Regulations may be extended or modified through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Naval Volunteer Reserve Regulations, made under the Naval Defence Act 1910-1918, govern the enrolment, service, and conditions for members of the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR). Under these Regulations, specific categories of individuals are ineligible for enrolment (Regulation 4), such as current members of the Permanent Naval or Military Forces, officers on the Active or Retired List of any other Naval or Military Force, and members of other reserve forces or the Defence Department. Conversely, eligible persons include those who follow the sea as a profession, ex-members of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve who have completed their compulsory training, individuals interested in or connected with shipping matters, and skilled craftsmen (Regulation 4). Members must pass a medical examination and there are no age restrictions for entry (Regulation 4). These Regulations impose several obligations on the parties involved. Members must engage to serve for at least five years and may re-enroll for successive periods of five years if medically fit (Regulation 8). They must take an oath or affirmation of enlistment (Regulation 8(4)). Members are liable to be called upon to serve in the Naval Service if the RANVR is mobilized in a time of war or emergency and must continue to serve until the end of the conflict, regardless of their engagement period (Regulation 5). They must adhere to the prescribed training regimens, including attending drills and completing required periods of training (Regulations 26-31). Members must also wear the prescribed uniform when on duty, assembled for parade, or attending drills, and shall not mix uniform with civilian clothes (Regulations 23-25). Failure to comply with these Regulations can result in various consequences. Notably, a member who fails to attend the required number of drills during the training year without sufficient reason is liable to be discharged from the Naval Volunteer Reserve (Regulation 29(4)). Furthermore, while serving in one of His Majesty’s Australian Ships or Establishments, members are subject to the Naval Discipline Act as applied by the Naval Defence Act (Regulation 32). Any breaches of discipline or service regulations could therefore lead to disciplinary actions or other penalties as stipulated by the Naval Discipline Act.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.