Women encouraged to become air traffic controllers

A job in air traffic control can be rewarding, stimulating and flexible, with plenty of opportunity for career progression no matter your background or life experience.

That was the takeaway message for dozens of women who participated in a recent air traffic control information session in Melbourne. 

The event coincided with International Women’s Day celebrations as this year’s theme focuses on the benefits of promoting gender balance in the workplace. 

Those attending the session heard from several of Airservices Australia’s female air traffic controllers, including Amalia Mauceri, who was mid-way through a medical science degree when she decided to set her sights on a new career. 

“Being able to say I helped many, many people get from A to B safely and efficiently is a great feeling,” she said.  

Ms Mauceri encourages those women interested in the job to be open to the process.

“You don’t need to have completed physics, you don’t need to have done long degrees,” she said.

“It’s available to anyone who is willing to give it a go and has the resilience and mindset to get through the training.”

Currently only around 13 % of air traffic controllers are women. 

Session participant Louise said she decided to come after reading about a female air traffic controller’s experiences in the job. 

“I really like problem solving and I find a lot of confidence in high-pressure situations so I think that working in air traffic control would satisfy both of those personal points of mine,” she said. 

Air traffic controllers come from a variety of work and education backgrounds, with Airservices Australia actively encouraging diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

No prior knowledge in aviation is needed and it’s one of the few careers left where you can earn while you learn. 

To apply, you must be 18, able to work in Australia and have completed year 12. 

The first thing applicants will do is complete an online assessment which includes testing on spatial reasoning, calculation, numerical reasoning and verbal reasoning. 

Those who are successful with the online test will continue through the process until potentially being chosen to begin training in Melbourne.  You can find more information about the recruitment process at www.airservicesaustralia.com/careers  

Posted on: March 7, 2019

More news
Related topics

Airservices provides safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible services to the aviation industry.

Airservices Australia updates timing of enhanced air traffic services at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport

Airservices Australia has revised the timing of the implementation of controlled airspace at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. In order to safely accommodate the continued growth of air traffic in the region, Ballina airspace will transition from the current uncontrolled airspace – where pilots self-separate using visual observation, communication procedures and flight information provided by Airservices– […]

Airservices Australia Releases Australian Aviation Network Overview Financial Year 2025

Airservices Australia has released its Australian Aviation Network Overview Financial Year 2025 report covering trends in the Australian aviation sector. Key highlights for FY2025 include: About AirservicesAirservices Australia is a government-owned organisation responsible for safely and efficiently managing air traffic in 11 per cent of the world’s airspace, as well as the provision of aviation rescue […]

Airservices Australia expands user-preferred routing trial to enable quicker flights, fuel and emission savings

Airservices Australia has expanded its Asia-Pacific regional trial of cross boundary user-preferred routes, building on the success of the first phase, in delivering shorter travel times, fuel savings and carbon emissions reductions for participating airlines. The initial 11-month user-preferred routing (UPR) trial saw Airservices collaborate with the national air navigation service providers (ANSPs) of Indonesia, […]

Airservices Australia Releases May Australian Aviation Network Overview 

Airservices Australia has released its Australian Aviation Network Overview report for May 2025. About AirservicesAirservices Australia is a government-owned organisation responsible for safely and efficiently managing air traffic in 11 per cent of the world’s airspace, as well as the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We are regulated by the Civil […]