Vice admiral (Australia)

Vice admiral
Vice admiral's command flag
The VADM insignia
Country	Australia
Service branch	Royal Australian Navy
Abbreviation	VADM
Rank group	Flag officer
Rank	Three-star
Non-NATO rank	OF-8
Pay grade	O-9
Formation	12 July 1936 (1936-07-12)
Next higher rank	Admiral
Next lower rank	Rear admiral
Equivalent ranks	Lieutenant general (Army) Air marshal (RAAF)

Vice admiral (abbreviated as VADM) is the second-highest active rank of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It is a three-star rank, and was created as a direct equivalent of the British rank of vice admiral. The rank is held by the Chief of Navy and, when the positions are held by navy officers, by the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, the Chief of Joint Operations, the Chief of Joint Capabilities, or equivalent position.

Vice admiral is a higher rank than rear admiral, but lower than admiral. Vice admiral is the equivalent of air marshal in the Royal Australian Air Force and lieutenant general in the Australian Army.

Since the mid-1990s, the insignia of a Royal Australian Navy vice admiral is the Crown of St. Edward above a crossed sabre^{[Note 1]} and baton, above three silver stars, above the word "AUSTRALIA".^[1] The stars have eight points as in the equivalent Royal Navy insignia. Prior to 1995, the RAN shoulder board was identical to the British shoulder board.

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