The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has moved to offer $80,000 bonuses for ship’s engineers on its submarines and Anzac-class frigates in an attempt to stop them from moving to the mining industry.

 

The move, which the navy concedes may cause tension in the ranks, will see some non-commissioned engineers receive pay packages of up to $177,000 a year, almost as much as senior submarine commanders.

 

The navy has promised a pay package of between $40,000 and $80,000 to 200 key skilled engineers in return for two years of service.

 

The RAN has made the move as a response to the threat posed by the booming resources’ sector’s massive demand growth for qualified engineers.