Aircraft Structural Technician
As an Aircraft Structural Technician, you’ll be responsible for the maintenance, repair and certification of aircraft and aircraft components. One day could see you working on a P-8A Poseidon, the next a C-17A Globemaster III or F-35A Lightning II aircraft. It’s a highly rewarding and varied role. There's nothing quite like seeing an aircraft you’ve personally repaired take flight.
What you'll do
Your duties may include:
- handling and replenishing aircraft flight lines
- removing and installing aircraft components
- manufacturing and repairing aircraft plumbing and ducting
- conducting heat treatment and welding on aluminium and alloys
- maintaining tools and machinery used on aircraft
- preparing and using aircraft support equipment
- identifying aircraft technical equipment and spares
- preparing and packaging technical equipment for transport
- amending and maintaining technical publications
- inspection, maintenance, servicing, repair and fault diagnosis
- manufacture, assembly, removal and installation of structures and components including wings, flight control surfaces, fuselages and engine structures.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Air Force will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training within your chosen role. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and help you to lead teams of aviators in future.
You may choose to remain on the Technician career path and seek advancement through the Supervisor and Technical Manager skills levels to the rank of Warrant Officer. This career option provides for a wide variety of employment including Operational Maintenance (OM) and Deeper Maintenance (DM) on aircraft and in a workshop environment. There are also career opportunities available in aviation support staff positions within: Logistics Management, Project Offices, training establishments, headquarter units, Combat Support units, and Force Element Groups.
During your career you can apply for non-technical roles within areas such as personnel management, workforce planning, Military Skills Instructing and the Australian Federation Guard, and you might further consider applying for Promotion to Officer Rank within selected categories.
Following training, you could be posted to one of the many Air Force bases or other Defence establishments within Australia, as well as limited overseas opportunities. Your initial posting will generally be to an Air Force or Army base housing flying squadrons.
Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Seeing the aircraft on the flight line every morning still inspires me.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education required with passes in English, Maths and Science (with a Physics component). This is the minimum standard required to facilitate understanding of the engineering principles taught on the initial training course.
Note: Consumer Maths, General Maths, Mathematics (General Mathematics) and similarly 'modified' Maths subjects are not sufficient for this role. If you don’t have the minimum educational qualifications, you may be considered if you possess relevant work experience or tertiary qualifications.
If you hold a CASA licence or a Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Structures) or higher issued by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), ADF Careers will forward your transcript to the MCA (LOGBR-AF) who will determine whether all Air Force competency requirements have been met or whether additional training is required.
Overseas qualifications will be assessed for equivalence by an Australian RTO.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Shuttle Run Score: 5.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 6 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Course: Air Force Recruit Course
Duration: 11 weeks
Location: RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
During this, training you'll transition from civilian to Service life, acquiring the basic knowledge, skills and physical fitness required for your role; and learning to become an effective and productive member of the Air Force.
The major elements of the course include:
- personal development and teamwork
- parade drill
- weapon handling and firing
- airfield defence
- fire fighting
- physical fitness
- Air Force history, customs and traditions
- military law.
After graduation, you'll undertake Initial Employment Training (IET) in your trade or category.
Course: Aircraft Structural Technician Course
Duration: 45 weeks
Location: RAAF School of Technical Training (RAAFSTT), RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
The training philosophy adopted by Air Force for Aircraft Structural Technician training is based on progressive multi-skilling and extensive practical reinforcement through on-the-job training. Training is based on the requirements of the MEA18 Aeroskills Training Package and is aligned to the Competency Standards required for a Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Structures).
Whilst undertaking Initial Employment Training (IET) at RAAFSTT, training for Aircraft Structural Technicians includes:
- technical hand skills
- development and manufacture of general sheet metal work items
- development, manufacture and repair of aircraft structural items
- aircraft plumbing and ducting.
As an Aircraft Structural Technician, you’ll consolidate your IET with on-the-job training and work towards a nationally-recognised qualification. You could expect to complete the requirements for the Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Structures) within 24 months of graduating from your IET.
Selection for Advanced Technician (Aircraft Welding) Course
Upon completion of a minimum 12 months training consolidation as an Aircraft Structural Technician, you could be selected to undergo Aircraft Welding Specialist training. This training is conducted at RAAFSTT and upon completion of the course, you graduate as an Aircraft Structural Technician (Welding).
You’ll also be provided with an opportunity to undergo competitive selection and training leading to remuster to NDITECH. Once you complete NDI training, you will progress from NDITECH Grade 1 to Grade 2, then progress through the ranks to Warrant Officer in competition with other NDITECH members.