Commissioner's Information Bulletin 548
Aeroskills - Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services
Date of effect: 27 July 2012
Updated: 2 November 2018
Bulletin Information
In this Commissioner's Information Bulletin (CIB) Vocational Training Orders (VTOs) have been varied to update national qualification codes to align to the MEAv2.0 Aeroskills Training Package.
As a result all VTOs are varied to reflect these changes.
Superseded Bulletin
Commissioner's Information Bulletin 548 has been updated.
Vocational Training Orders (VTOs)
Apprenticeships
- Aeroskills - Aircraft Surface Finishing
- Aeroskills - Avionics
- Aeroskills - Mechanical
- Aeroskills - Mechatronics
- Aeroskills - Structures
Traineeships
Qualifications, structure and packaging
Transition Arrangements
Industrial arrangements
Part-time apprenticeships
Competency based progression of apprenticeships
Competency based completion
School based apprenticeships and traineeships
Licensing and regulatory arrangements
Registered training organisations
Funding arrangements
Inspecting Vocational Training Orders
Enquiries
To sign up an apprentice or trainee call 1300 363 83. To find a job in an apprenticeship or traineeship search here.
David Collins
The Commissioner for Vocational Training
Job descriptions
Apprenticeships
Jobs at Certificate III level are in aircraft maintenance organisations or specialist aircraft surface finishing organisations. Jobs are to prepare the surfaces of aircraft and aircraft components for the application of surface finishes, apply paint, specialist finishes and decals or stencils. They also apply aircraft registration markings, national markings and organisational logos.
Other tasks may include:
- performing basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals in aviation maintenance
- removing surface coatings from aircraft or aircraft components
- pre-treating aluminium alloy surfaces
- sealing aircraft and aircraft component structural seams
- removing light corrosion
- preparing spray painting materials and equipment.
Jobs at Certificate IV level are in aircraft surface finishing organisations or the Australian Defence Force. Jobs involve the supervision of aircraft surface finishing activities on State aircraft. This may involve painting, application of specialist finishes, and application of markings, logos and decals.
Other tasks may include:
- applying quality standards applicable to aviation maintenance processes
- applying air dry and polyurethane enamel refinishing materials
- applying occupational health and safety procedures at supervisor level in aviation maintenance
- removing and installing aircraft hydro-mechanical and landing gear system components
- supervising maintenance teams and performing maintenance quality inspections.
Jobs at Certificate IV level are in civil aviation maintenance organisations or in the Australian Defence Force. Jobs involve performing scheduled inspections, fault diagnosis and repair and modification of fixed wing aircraft electrical, instrument and radio systems and system components.
Other tasks may include:
- fabricating and repairing aircraft electrical hardware or parts
- testing and troubleshooting aircraft pulse systems and components
- testing and troubleshooting fixed wing aircraft automatic flight control systems and components
- testing and troubleshooting aircraft radio frequency navigation and communications systems and components
- testing and troubleshooting aircraft instrument systems and components
- testing and troubleshooting aircraft electrical systems and components.
Jobs at Diploma level are for holders of a Civil Aviation Safety Authority B2 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence. Jobs involve supervising, performing and certifying avionic maintenance on fixed wing aircraft that are type-rated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for maintenance purposes.
Other tasks may include:
- planning and organising aviation maintenance work activities
- supervising civil aircraft maintenance activities and managing human resources in the workplace
- testing and troubleshooting aircraft electrical systems and components
- testing and troubleshooting aircraft instrument systems and components
- testing and troubleshooting aircraft radio frequency navigation and communications systems and components
- testing and troubleshooting fixed wing aircraft automatic flight control systems and components
- testing and troubleshooting aircraft pulse systems and components.
Jobs at Certificate IV level are to inspect and undertake fault diagnosis of airframe and engine systems, components and accessories on aircraft. Components may include landing gears, wheels and brakes, pressurisation, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, flight control systems, environmental control systems, fire detection and preventions systems, undercarriage and ice and rain protection systems.
Other tasks may include:
- interpreting and using industry manuals and specifications
- planning and organising work activities
- fabricating and repairing aircraft mechanical components or parts
- repairing and overhauling aircraft hydro-mechanical systems and components
- repairing and overhauling gas turbine engine components and modules.
Jobs at Diploma level are for holders of a Civil Aviation Safety Authority B1.1 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence. Jobs involve supervising, performing and certifying avionic maintenance on fixed wing jet aircraft that are type-rated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for maintenance purposes.
Other tasks may include:
- supervising civil aircraft maintenance activities and managing human resources in the workplace
- planning and implementing civil aircraft maintenance activities
- inspecting, testing and troubleshooting pressurisation control systems and components
- maintaining and repairing aircraft mechanical components or parts
- testing and troubleshooting gas turbine engine systems and components
- performing advanced troubleshooting in aircraft mechanical maintenance
- inspecting, repairing and maintaining aircraft structures.
Jobs at Certificate III level apply to individuals employed within the general aviation industry sector to undertake maintenance on small aircraft. These persons are not seeking direct progression to a CASA B1.2 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licence that is limited to basic small aircraft maintenance. The qualification may provide helpful initial Aeroskills training for individuals transitioning from an allied trade to employment on small aircraft maintenance.
Duties may include:
- aircraft flight servicing
- planning and organising aviation maintenance work activities
- interpreting and using aviation maintenance manuals and specifications
- removing and installing aircraft electrical hardware and components
- fabricating and repairing aircraft electrical hardware or parts
- using electrical test equipment
Jobs at Certificate IV level apply to individuals employed in a more advanced capacity within the general aviation industry sector to work on the maintenance of small aircraft. The qualification provides a training pathway for people seeking a B1 or B2 aviation licence.
At the core level, learning includes:
- interpreting and applying occupational health and safety practices
- planning and organising aviation maintenance work activities
- using aviation maintenance industry manuals
- performing basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals
- performing administrative processes to prepare for aircraft maintenance certification
- planning and implementing civil aircraft maintenance activities
Apprentices will then choose electives from six technical streams, depending on the type of licence being sought.
Jobs in Structures are in aviation maintenance organisations or the Australian Defence Force. The work involves repairing and modifying aircraft structures.
Other tasks may include:
- removing and installing aircraft hydro-mechanical and landing gear system components
- removing and installing aircraft pneumatic system components
- removing and installing pressurised aircraft structural and non-structural components
- removing and installing aircraft fixed wing flight control system components
- disassembling and reassembling aircraft structure for major repair or modification
- repairing and modifying aircraft composite material structure/components.
Traineeships
Jobs at Certificate II in Aeroskills level are in aviation maintenance workshops. Jobs involve assisting with maintenance, inspection and fault diagnosis on a limited range of electrical, electronic, instrument and radio systems, components and parts on aircraft.
Other tasks may include:
- performing basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals in aviation maintenance
- performing routine removal and installation of miscellaneous aircraft electrical hardware and components
- fabricating aircraft electrical looms and harnesses
- using electrical test equipment to perform basic electrical tests
- dismantling, inspecting, maintaining and assembling aircraft non-primary structural removable components or parts and internal fittings.
Jobs at Certificate II in Aircraft Surface Finishing level are with aircraft maintenance organisations or specialist aircraft surface finishing organisations. Jobs involve the stripping of old finishes and in the preparation of aircraft and aircraft component surfaces for the application of paint and other specialist surface finishes.
Other tasks may include:
- performing basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals in aviation maintenance
- removing surface coatings from aircraft or aircraft components
- pre-treating aluminium alloy surfaces
- sealing aircraft and aircraft component structural seams
- dismantling, inspecting, maintaining and assembling aircraft non-primary structural removable components or parts and internal fittings.
Competency based Progression
Apprenticeships with a full-time nominal term of 12 months or part-time nominal term of 18 months - reduced from full-time nominal terms of 48 months and 60 months where the apprentice holds the lower level qualification specified in the VTO.
The rate of progress will be determined as follows.
Stage of apprenticeship | Entry, progression and exit requirements |
Apprentices enter Stage 3 | |
Progression to Stage 4 |
Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 4:
or
and
Note: The nominal term may be extended by up to 12 months in Stage 4 in the apprenticeship where required to complete the competencies. |
Exit |
|
Apprenticeships with a full-time nominal term of 36 months or part-time nominal term of 54 months - reduced from full-time nominal term of 48 months where the apprentice holds the lower level qualification specified in the VTO.
The rate of progress will be determined as follows.
Stage of apprenticeship | Entry, progression and exit requirements |
Apprentices enter Stage 2 | |
Progression to Stage 3 |
Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 3:
or
and
|
Progression to Stage 4 |
Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 4:
or
and
Note: The nominal term may be extended by up to 12 months in Stage 4 in the apprenticeship where required to compete the competencies. |
Exit |
|
For apprenticeships with a full-time nominal term of 48 months or part-time nominal term of 72 months - direct entry
The rate of progress will be determined as follows.
Stage of apprenticeship | Entry, progression and exit requirements |
Stage 1 | Nil entry requirements |
Progression to Stage 2 |
Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 2:
or
and
|
Progression to Stage 3 |
Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 3:
or
and
|
Progression to Stage 4 |
Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 4:
or
and
Note: The nominal term may be extended by up to 12 months in Stage 4 in the apprenticeship where required to complete the competencies. |
Exit |
|
Apprenticeships
Aeroskills - Aircraft Surface Finishing - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 27 July 2012 |
Updated | 2 November 2018 |
Qualifications | |
Terms of apprenticeships | Full-time:
Part-time: |
Probationary periods | Where the nominal term is:
|
Aeroskills - Avionics - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 27 July 2012 |
Updated | 2 November 2018 |
Qualifications | |
Terms of apprenticeships | Full-time:
Part-time: |
School based | MEA40618 Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Avionics) Training shall be given for a nominal period of 60 months comprising:
The apprentice's progress post-school will be determined as per the model above, commencing at Stage 2 of the apprenticeship. |
Probationary periods | Where the nominal term is:
|
Aeroskills - Mechanical - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 27 July 2012 |
Updated | 2 November 2018 |
Qualifications | |
Terms of apprenticeships | Full-time:
Part-time: |
School based | MEA40718 Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical) Training shall be given for a nominal period of 60 months comprising:
The apprentice's progress post-school will be determined as per the model above, commencing at Stage 2 of the apprenticeship. |
Probationary periods | Where the nominal term is:
|
Aeroskills - Mechatronics - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 27 July 2012 |
Updated | 2 November 2018 |
Qualifications | |
Terms of apprenticeships | Full-time:
Part-time: |
Probationary periods | Where the nominal term is:
|
Aeroskills - Structures - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 27 July 2012 |
Updated | 2 November 2018 |
Qualification | |
Terms of apprenticeship | Full-time:
Part-time: |
School based | MEA41318 Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Structures) Training shall be given for a nominal period of 60 months comprising:
The apprentice's progress post-school will be determined as per the model above, commencing at Stage 2 of the apprenticeship. |
Probationary periods | 3 months |
Traineeships
Aeroskills - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 27 July 2012 |
Updated | 2 November 2018 |
Qualification | MEA20418 Certificate II in Aeroskills |
Terms of traineeship | Full-time:
Part-time: |
School based | MEA20418 Certificate II in Aeroskills School based part-time trainees will undertake structured training for a minimum of 100 days across a 24 month period within which trainees shall be required to demonstrate competencies relevant to the Vocational Training Order. |
Probationary period | 2 months |
Aeroskills - Aircraft Surface Finishing - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 27 July 2012 |
Updated | 2 November 2018 |
Qualification | MEA20618 Certificate II in Aircraft Surface Finishing |
Terms of traineeship | Full-time:
Part-time: |
School based | MEA20618 Certificate II in Aircraft Surface Finishing School based part-time trainees will undertake structured training for a minimum of 100 days across a 24 month period within which trainees shall be required to demonstrate competencies relevant to the Vocational Training Order. |
Probationary period | 2 months |