Fleet Headquarters

Commander Australian Fleet	Rear Admiral Nigel Coates

Located at Potts Point, Sydney Fleet Headquarters (FHQ) is adjacent to the Garden Island Dockyard and Fleet Base East on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour. FHQ comprises one purpose designed building and several annexes that house all personnel serving in the Command. The Headquarters is specifically designed to support maritime operations and organised functionally with major divisions for operations planning, command/control communications and intelligence, as well as logistic and administration support. FHQ also possess facilities for environmental support, tactical development and shares a warfare strategy resource with Navy Office. A one star level officer (Commodore Flotillas) is responsible for attaining and then maintaining fleet operational standards and a constantly ready Command Task Group for operational contingencies. To facilitate command and control continuity in the event of the destruction of FHQ Sydney, there is a "mirror" headquarters located in Western Australia which shares all data and information.

The mission of the Commander Australian Fleet is to plan, prepare for, and conduct maritime operations for the protection and promotion of Australia's security and interests. Maritime operations carried out or planned for within FHQ fall into three categories. These are the defence of sovereign territory, protection of overseas trade and offshore resources, and contingencies such as support to UN and other multi-national operations.

The Chief of Navy has assigned full command of all Navy combat forces to the Commander Australian Fleet, a situation that parallels existing arrangements in the land and air commands.

The responsibilities of the Command are:

• the planning and conduct of all maritime operations with the exception of adjacent water tasks undertaken by other commanders;
• providing for the security of all Australian offshore territories and offshore installations, other than those specifically allocated to other commanders;
• the provision of support and, when directed, forces to other operational commanders; and
• the provision of forces, when directed, for operations in support of our allies or the United Nations.
• In addition the Commander Australian Fleet is responsible to the Chief of Navy in general terms for:
• the operational training, readiness and effectiveness of units and personnel assigned to the command;
• the development, approval and promulgation of Maritime tactics in conjunction with the Air Commander when applicable;
• performing the duties of:
  • operational control authority for naval control of shipping,
  • RAN search and rescue authority,
  • submarine search and rescue authority,
  • submarine operating authority; and
  • the administration of Fleet Command assets.