Air Traffic Control careers

If you have previously been trained and rated as an Air Traffic Controller, you may be eligible to apply for a position as an experienced controller. If selected, you will first complete a short course (approximately six to 12 weeks) at our Learning Academy in Melbourne. Your remuneration will be consistent with your years of experience.

Eligibility
To be eligible to apply:

• you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or hold permanent residency status in Australia AND
• you must have been employed as an operational air traffic controller within the last three years OR
• been employed as an operational air traffic controller within the last five years AND been employed within an air traffic control field such as instructing during the remaining time.

Training
On commencement, you must attend induction and familiarisation training which will usually be conducted at our training facilities in Melbourne. During the recruitment process we will complete an individual Training Needs Analysis which will be used to ensure you are provided with the appropriate level of training dependent on your experience.

Training at our Melbourne facilities will usually take between six and 12 weeks. This will be followed by field training at the final location until you achieve a rating. All training costs, including accommodation in Melbourne and travel expenses, will be paid by Airservices. A training bond is applicable to recover these costs should you resign within the first five years.

Recruitment process
While every effort is made to keep the recruitment process as short as possible, please understand that the process is thorough and will take some months to complete. Interested candidates must apply via our website. If you would like to be notified when new opportunities become available, subscribe by entering your email address in the ‘send me jobs like these’ area.

Please note that due to the large volume of applications received we cannot accept emailed resumes or expressions of interest. Please allow up to six months for the recruitment process. If successfully selected, you will be notified and selected for a specific commencement and course date, which can be in a further three to 12 months’ time, depending on availability.

The steps

1. Online application. When applying online, you will be asked to provide documentation to support your application. The more information you provide the better we are able to assess your suitability for a position as an experienced air traffic controller.
2. Online ability assessments. The assessments to be completed are verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, numerical calculations and a checking test. These tests represent an important benchmark in assessing the capability of candidates and must be passed to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.
3. Occupational Personality Questionnaire
4. Panel interview
5. Reference checks
6. Medical and security checks
7. Start training

Our Air Traffic Controller in Training Program provides an excellent opportunity for candidates who have no previous Air Traffic Control experience.

We provide a range of world-class services that allow safe and equitable access to Australia's skies. Our primary focus is ensuring safe air travel and providing service outcomes that are matched to the needs of our customers.

If selected as a trainee, and when your employment commences, you will receive world class training, leading to the AVI50115 Diploma of Aviation (Air Traffic Control).

You will be paid while you train and, upon successful completion of your training, you will enjoy a career with excellent working conditions and competitive rewards and benefits.

In order to perform this critical role in the aviation industry, you will need to demonstrate:

• Good spatial awareness and strong mathematical skills
• Excellent communication skills
• The ability to work well under pressure and make quick, accurate decisions
• The capability to plan ahead, as well as adapt to changing situations
• Enjoy taking charge and being accountable for your actions and decisions
• Be willing to do shift work 24/7, 365 days of the year
• Meet compulsory medical and security clearance requirements

Eligibility
To be eligible to apply, you will need to meet BOTH the Residency and Educational eligibility requirements.

Residency requirements

You must:

• be at least 18 years of age
• be an Australian or New Zealand Citizen, or an Australian Permanent Resident.

Educational requirements

You must be able to provide evidence that you have obtained the following requirements:

• A Year 12 Certificate with passes in English and Maths.

International qualifications will need to be assessed by an appropriate authority as equivalent to one of the above criteria.

Recruitment process
While every effort is made to keep the recruitment process as short as possible, please understand that the process to appoint Trainee Air Traffic Controllers is thorough and will take some months to complete.

The steps

1. Online application form. Make sure that you have all correct documentation at the time you submit your application.
2. Online ability assessments. The ability assessments are completed online at home. The ability assessments to be completed are verbal reasoning, inductive reasoning, numerical calculations, a checking test and a spatial test. Upon completion, further online testing may also be administered at this time.
3. Video/Phone Interview. Candidates are invited to undertake a brief phone or video interview.
4. We ask selected candidates to attend a one day Assessment Centre in Melbourne or Brisbane where available and at their own cost. You will undergo further cognitive and technical assessment. Candidates may undergo behavioural based assessments and computer simulated Air Traffic Control competency tests, as well as a group exercise.
5. Reference check. You will be asked to provide details of two recent supervisors or managers. We will notify you before contacting any referees.
6. Offer to commence ATC Training. If you satisfy all of the medical and security requirement you will be issued with an official offer to become and Air Traffic Control trainee (ATC trainee).
7. Pre-employment medical and security checks. If you are successful in completing the recruitment process you will be required to satisfy all medical and security checks before you can be enrolled onto your training course.
8. Start ATC Training. Once you have accepted the offer you start your journey to become an ATC Trainee.

Training
You will undergo training to become an air traffic controller at Airservices training facilities in Melbourne. Training delivery is face-to-face and consists of theory and practical components, with practical training undertaken in air traffic control simulators. The training program varies, however it is approximately 12 months for the Tower stream and 14 months for the Enroute stream. On-the-job training times can also vary.

During training you will work towards the AVI50115 Diploma of Aviation (Air Traffic Control). This is a nationally recognised qualification, developed specifically for the Australian aviation industry.

Locations
If you are selected for Enroute training you will be based in our Melbourne or Brisbane centre after your training.

If you are selected for Tower you could be posted to any of our 28 control towers for final field training and ongoing employment. Where possible, we will attempt to accommodate your preference. As a Trainee Tower Controller you are expected to be flexible regarding location, and may be posted to any of the tower locations. Notification of final posting location will occur towards the completion of the training course.

Relocating to Melbourne
If you need to relocate to Melbourne for your training, Airservices may provide limited assistance to you, depending on individual circumstances.