St John Ambulance Australia employs the use of ranks, as an organisation with its roots in the military. Its rank structure is based upon that of St John Ambulance in the United Kingdom, while also taking inspiration from the Australian Army.
St John Ambulance UK as of 2024 are no longer wearing rank markings whilst on operational duties in green duty uniform (events or ambulance duties). Only clinical role or command role shown as words only e.g “Bronze Commander”, Advanced first aid”, “paramedic” etc. rank markings only worn on black and white ceremonial uniforms.
St John Ambulance South Australia no longer wears rank markings on green operational uniforms. Eppulettes show either clinical role or operational role in wording only.
| Colour | Red Stripe | Grey Stripe | Green Stripe | Yellow Stripe | Red Piping | |
| Insignia (rank slide) | ||||||
| Meaning | Registered Nurses or Nurse Practitioners with or without further rank insignia, as below. | Regional Officers with or without further rank insignia, as below. | Enrolled Nurses with or without further rank insignia, as below. | Paramedics with or without further rank insignia, as below. | Medical practitioners with or without further rank insignia, as below. |
| Rank | Cadet | Cadet Corporal | Senior Cadet | Senior Cadet Corporal | Senior Cadet Sergeant | |
| Insignia | ||||||
| Notes | Members aged between 11 and 14 years of age and in possession of a Basic First Aid Certificate. | As for cadet, but with leadership responsibilities. | Members aged between 15 and 18 and in possession of a Provide First Aid Certificate. | As for Senior Cadets, but with leadership responsibilities. | As for Senior Cadets, but with more leadership responsibilities than Senior Cadet Corporals |
Doctors, Paramedics, Registered and Enrolled Nurses have special markings on the epaulette to indicate their Health Care Professional status.
NB: Enrolled Nurse level is not recognised with St John Ambulance South Australia credentialing systems.
| National Commissioned Officers (obsolete roles no longer in use, except for “Chief Cadet Officer” | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Officer Grade 1 | National Officer Grade 2 | National Officer Grade 3 | Officer Grade 1 | |||
| Chief Commissioner | Chief Superintendent Deputy Chief Superintendent Chief Professional Officer | Chief Officer Cadets Chief Medical Officer Chief Nursing Officer Chief Ambulance Officer | National Staff Officer | |||
These insignia are worn on the uniform to distinguish an individual's level in the organisation. Gorget patches are worn on the collar of the shirt or lapel of the jacket of State and National Officers. Grade I Officers and above may wear a peak cap with different braiding on the peak for National Officers and Chief Officers.
Clinical Epaulettes are worn for members involved in events or activities requiring the EventsUniform.[5] The below Clinical Epaulettes are only in use within St. John Ambulance Australia (New South Wales)