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.
The rank insignia is very similar to that of the RAF, with the exception of LAC/W (which is one chevron (two bladed propeller 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.
^Other joint 3-star 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.
References
^Allison, Ronald; Riddell, Sarah (1991). The Royal encyclopedia. Macmillan Press. p. 30.
