A Cargo Specialist (CARGO SPEC) (ECN 171) is an Australian Regular Army (ARA), Royal Australian Corps of Transport (RACT) soldier, who receives, processes, stages, manifests and on forwards stores and equipment at multimodal transhipment points in support of ADF operations. These tasks are conducted by day and night, in combat support and combat service support roles in all weather conditions. The CARGO SPEC (ECN 171) operates vehicles and rigging equipment with a payload up to and including 70 tonnes. The CARGO SPEC (ECN 171) also holds some driver proficiencies. This employment category is currently not suitable for ARes soldiers due to the extended training liability.

In addition to the duties performed as Driver Specialist, the ECN 171 Cargo Specialist is required to:

• Operate and maintain various specialist B and D vehicles under all conditions by day and night.
• Rig, load and unload equipment, stores and vehicles, including dangerous cargo for movement on all modes of transport.
• Receive, dispatch and record the movement of all types of cargo through a terminal or Freight Distribution Centre (FDC).

The pay levels for this employment are:

• Cargo Specialist Grade 1 PTE Pay Group 1
• Cargo Specialist Grade 2 PTE-LCPL Pay Group 3
• Cargo Specialist Grade 3 PTE-LCPL Pay Group 3
• Cargo Specialist Advanced CPL - SGT Pay Group 4
• Cargo Specialist Supervisor SGT - WO2 Pay Group 4
• Cargo Specialist Manager A/B WO1 Pay Group 4/5

Training
Duration (working days) - 56 Training Days
General Comments. Trainees are to hold a C2 and MR2 driving licence in order to attend this course. Trainees must display mechanical, literacy and numeracy aptitude.
The drivers course is held at Army Logistic Training Centre, Road Transport Wing, Puckapunyal, Victoria 45 Working Days.
Cargo Specialist Course 56 Working Days at Army Logistic Training Centre, Maritime Wing at Ross Island, Townsville QLD.
As well as qualifying successful trainees to be employed as Cargo Specialists, this employment training sees the granting of Workcover certification in:

• Forklift Operations
• Derrick Crane Operations
• Crane Dogman Operations

Posting
The majority of soldiers are employed within 10 Force Support Battalion in Townsville. Soldiers may also be posted to 1 CSSB, Darwin, ALTC - Maritime Wing, Townsville or as part of the Ships Army Departments (SAD) of HMAS TOBRUK, KANIMBLA or MANOORA.
Whilst posted to a SAD soldiers receive the same Sea Going Entitlements as Navy (Sea Going Allowance and Sea Going Leave). All soldiers in this trade should expect at least one posting to a ship as a private and a subsequent posting as they are promoted through the ranks.

The Cargo Specialist courses meet the requirements for both civilian and military accreditation and will make you eligible for:

• Certificate III in Transport and Logistic (Road Transport) is granted to personnel on being assessed as a competent PTE.
• Certificate III in Transport and Logistic (Stevedoring ) is granted to personnel on being assessed as a competent PTE.
• Statement of Attainment towards the Certificate III in Transport and Logistic (Mobile Crane Operations) is granted to personnel being assessed as a competent.
• Statement of Attainment towards the Certificate IV in Transport and Logistic (Stevedoring) is granted to personnel being assessed as competent as a CPL.
• Certificate IV in Transport and Distribution (Stevedoring) is granted to personnel on being assessed as a competent SGT.