Mechanical Engineering Trades Workers

How to become an Aircraft Maintenance Technician

Official title: Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Mechanical)

Also called: Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)

Inspects, tests, repairs and installs hydromechanical and flight system components and engines, subassemblies, and components in aircraft, including space vehicles.

Main tasks

Inspects and tests aircraft hydromechanical and flight systems and components to identify any faults, wear, defects or damage, and ensures aircraft are functioning within safety regulations and standards
Repairs or replaces faulty or damaged aircraft hydromechanical and flight systems or components
Installs new aircraft hydromechanical and flight systems, including engines, ancillary motors, brakes, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, airframes and subassemblies
Performs and documents regular maintenance and servicing of aircraft hydromechanical and flight systems
May manufacture aircraft hydromechanical, flight system and subassembly components

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical). Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical) (MEA40718); Advanced Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management (MEA60222); Advanced Diploma of Aviation Non-Destructive Testing (MEA60322); Diploma of Aeroskills (Mechanical) (MEA50219); Diploma of Aeroskills (Non-Destructive Testing) (MEA50522); Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management (MEA50422); Graduate Diploma of Engineering (MEM80122); Certificate III in Aeroskills (Mechatronics) (MEA30222)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Typical full-time pay: $102,960 a year
About 10,000 people work in this job group now, and about 10,700 are projected by 2035. (+6.9%)
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become an Aircraft Maintenance Technician?

Ways in include: Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical); Advanced Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management; Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical).

How much does an Aircraft Maintenance Technician earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $102,960 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Aircraft Maintenance Technician a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 10,000 to about 10,700 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Aircraft Maintenance Technician?

Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical); Advanced Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management; Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical).

Will AI change the work of an Aircraft Maintenance Technician?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04