Admiral (abbreviated as ADML) is the highest active rank of the Royal Australian Navy and was created as a direct equivalent of the British naval rank of admiral.

Since 1968, generally the only time the rank is held is when the Chief of the Defence Force is a navy officer.

An admiral of the fleet flies a national flag at the masthead, while an admiral flies a St George's cross (red cross on white).

Since the mid-1990s, the insignia of a Royal Australian Navy admiral is the Crown of St. Edward above a crossed sword and baton, above four silver stars, above the word AUSTRALIA.

[8] Note that unlike other Commonwealth countries, the sword is a naval cutlass, with a closed handle.