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.[1] 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 the late HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
↑Other joint 3* positions available to RAAF officers are VCDF, CJOPS, and CCDG.
↑Note that although all three ranks are equivalent, and all three ranks are "1 star" positions, an Air Commodore is considered an "Air Officer", a Commodore is considered an "Admiral", but a Brigadier is not a "General". Until about 1922, many Commonwealth nations used the rank of Brigadier General, with a similar rank insignia, but by the end of the 1920s, Australia had replaced it with the rank of Brigadier, and a rank insignia similar to that of the Senior Officer rank of Colonel. Hence, in the Australian army, a Brigadier is a Senior Officer, not a General.
↑"Private Proficient" (PTE(P)) is not a separate formal ADF rank; it is a salary proficiency point which is "automatically" granted after 12 months service as a Private - refer http://www.defence.gov.au/DPE/PAC/V2_Ch1_Pt4.htm and http://www.defence.gov.au/DPE/PAC/V2_Ch3_Pt2_Div3.htm
This is the same as the situation with Seaman being re-classified to Able Seaman, and Aircraftman/Women being re-classified Leading Aircraftman/Women after 12 months; the requirements are the same for all three services. Thus, Able Seaman and Leading Aircraftman/Women do not outrank an Army Private.
The relevant regulations are:
