Mechanical Engineering Trades Workers

How to become a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Supervises, coordinates, inspects and confirms completion of aircraft and/or space vehicle maintenance, and certifies aircraft or aircraft parts as airworthy.

Main tasks

Supervises and coordinates aircraft and/or space vehicle maintenance activities and personnel
Inspects and tests aircraft and/or space vehicle maintenance is compliant with regulatory standards
Assesses, determines the cause of, and rectifies aircraft and/or space vehicle defects, and provides technical guidance and support to maintenance staff
Confirms aircraft and/or space vehicle maintenance has been completed and documented, and certifies aircraft and/or space vehicle parts as airworthy
May assist with aircraft defect analysis and investigations

Ways in

TAFE and VET: Diploma of Aeroskills (Avionics) (MEA50118); Diploma of Aeroskills (Mechanical) (MEA50219); Advanced Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management (MEA60222); Advanced Diploma of Aviation Non-Destructive Testing (MEA60322); Diploma of Aeroskills (Non-Destructive Testing) (MEA50522); Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management (MEA50422); Certificate II in Aircraft Line Maintenance (MEA20518); Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Avionics) (MEA40618)
Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

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 a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer?

Ways in include: Diploma of Aeroskills (Avionics); Diploma of Aeroskills (Mechanical).

How much does a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer earn in Australia?

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

Is a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer 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 a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer?

Usually not. Only 9% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Diploma of Aeroskills (Avionics); Diploma of Aeroskills (Mechanical).

Will AI change the work of a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer?

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