High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Admiral is the highest active rank of the Royal Australian Navy and was created as a direct equivalent of the British Navy rank of Admiral. It is a 4 star rank. In general, the only time the rank is held is when the Chief of the Defence Force is a Navy officer. Admiral is a higher rank than Vice Admiral, but is a lower rank than Admiral of the Fleet. Admiral is the equivalent of Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Australian Air Force and General in the Australian Army.