How to become a Maintenance Planner

Also called: Maintenance Scheduler, Maintenance Superintendent, Shutdown Coordinator, Shutdown Planner

Develops maintenance planning strategies for, and schedules, coordinates and monitors the maintenance of, plant equipment, infrastructure and machinery.

Main tasks

• Prepares preventative maintenance plans and schedules, following the organisation's maintenance goals
• Coordinates planned downtimes to minimise interference with production or service schedules
• Adjusts schedules to include emergency work
• Collaborates with procurement staff to ensure availability of necessary maintenance materials and supplies
• Ensures compliance with existing maintenance procedures and regulations

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management (MEA60222); Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management (MEA50422); Diploma of Engineering - Planning (MEM50722); Diploma of Engineering - Technical (MEM50222); Graduate Diploma of Engineering (MEM80122); Certificate IV in Local Government (LGA40120); Diploma of Local Government (LGA50120)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $153,608 a year
• About 39,400 people work in this job group now, and about 44,000 are projected by 2035. (+11.7%)
• 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.

Related jobs

• Marine Pilot
• Civil Engineering Draftsperson
• Civil Engineering Technician
• Electrical Engineering Draftsperson
• Electrical Engineering Technician
• Marine Engineer

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Maintenance Planner?

Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management; Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management.

How much does a Maintenance Planner earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $153,608 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Maintenance Planner a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 39,400 to about 44,000 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Maintenance Planner?

Usually not. Only 17% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management; Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management.

Will AI change the work of a Maintenance Planner?

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