The ship was built by the New South Wales State Dockyard between 1967 and 1969 for service with the Australian National Line, under the name MV Australian Trader. Initially operating on the Melbourne to Devonport run, Australian Trader was reassigned to the Sydney to Tasmania run in 1972. Passenger service on that run ended in 1976, and at the start of 1977, the vessel was purchased by the RAN for use as a training vessel and troop transport, and was renamed Jervis Bay.