Avionics Technician
As an Avionics Technician, you’ll be responsible for the maintenance of critical avionics equipment and systems. Working as part of a highly skilled team, in the workshop or on the tarmac, you’ll play a key role ensuring Air Force aircraft are operational.
What you'll do
You’ll work on some of the most advanced aircraft in the world, including the P-8A Poseidon, C-17A Globemaster III and F-35A Lightning II. Working with state-of-the-art avionics systems, you’ll maintain, service and repair a diverse array of equipment including instrumentation, self-protection and explosive ordnance systems, automatic flight control systems, and communication, surveillance and electronic warfare systems. You’ll also have opportunities to undertake flightline operations, including the launching and recovery of aircraft.
Your duties may include:
- aircraft oxygen replenishment
- disassembly and reassembly of aircraft components
- preparation and use of aircraft support equipment
- manufacture and repair of aircraft electrical looms and antenna cables
- performing aircraft reconfigurations, upgrades and modifications
- identification and demanding of aircraft spares
- preparation and packaging of technical equipment for transportation
- amendment and maintenance of technical publications
- inspection, removal and installation, testing and troubleshooting of aircraft avionic and oxygen components and systems at all levels of maintenance
- inspection, maintenance, servicing, repair test and fault diagnosis of electronic and electrical components and systems.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career. As you progress, the Air Force will provide you with development opportunities to assist you with your increasing leadership responsibility, as well as further education and specialised training within your chosen role. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and help you to lead teams of aviators in future.
You may choose to remain within the Avionics Technician career pathway and seek advancement through the Supervisor and Technical Manager skills grades to the rank of Warrant Officer. This career option provides for a wide variety of employment options either working directly on aircraft or within aviation support staff roles at Project Offices, training establishments, regulatory authorities, or within higher headquarter units.
During your career you can apply for non-technical roles within areas such as personnel management, workforce planning, Military Skills Instructing and the Australian Federation Guard, and you might further consider applying for Promotion to Officer Rank within selected categories.
Following training, you could be posted to one of the many Air Force bases or other Defence establishments within Australia, however your initial posting will likely be to an Air Force base housing flying Squadrons. Limited opportunities exist for future postings to overseas locations.
Discover where the Air Force operates across Australia on our base locations map.
I really do enjoy being an Avionics Technician. There is no reason a female can’t do this job.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent) education required with passes in English, Maths and Science (with a Physics component). This is the minimum standard required to facilitate understanding of the engineering principles taught on the initial training course.
Note: Consumer Maths, General Maths, Mathematics (General Mathematics) and similarly 'modified' Maths subjects are not suitable for this role. If you are unable to provide evidence of educational attainment, education equivalency assessments are available to ascertain your ability at the required education level for this role.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Shuttle Run Score: 5.1.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 20
- Shuttle Run Score: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be enlisted for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 6 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Desirable qualities include:
- well-developed hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity
- high level oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
- advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
- strong attention to detail and appreciation of safety requirements
- the ability to work under pressure and in a wide range of environments
- a willingness to work in confined spaces and working at heights
- high levels of maturity, accountability and integrity, and the ability to work as part of a team.
Course: Air Force Recruit Course
Duration: 11 weeks
Location: RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
During this, training you'll transition from civilian to Service life, acquiring the basic knowledge, skills and physical fitness required for your role; and learning to become an effective and productive member of the Air Force.
The major elements of the course include:
- personal development and teamwork
- parade drill
- weapon handling and firing
- airfield defence
- fire fighting
- physical fitness
- Air Force history, customs and traditions
- military law.
After graduation, you'll undertake Initial Employment Training (IET) in your trade or category.
Course: Avionics Technician Course
Duration: 54 weeks (subject to change, with a 4-week stand-down period generally occurring over the Christmas period)
Location: RAAF School of Technical Training (RAAFSTT), RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
The Avionics Technician Technical Training is based on the requirements of the MEA40618 Aeroskills Training Package and aligned to the Competency Standards required for a Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Avionics). Training for Avionics Technicians includes:
- technical hand skills
- aircraft general safety
- flight servicing and marshalling
- ADF aviation maintenance documentation
- ADF Technical Airworthiness regulation
- aircraft maintenance training, including component removal and installation and inspection, testing, and troubleshooting of a variety of avionics systems and subsystems.
As an Avionics Technician, you’ll consolidate your Initial Employment Training (IET) with on-the-job training and work towards a nationally recognised qualification. You could expect to complete the requirements for the Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Avionics) or its successor within 24 months of graduating from your IET.
Alternate career pathway to Non-Destructive Inspection Technician (NDITECH)
As an Avionics Technician, you are also provided with an opportunity to undergo competitive selection and training leading to remuster to NDITECH. Once you complete NDI training, you’ll progress from NDITECH Grade 1 to Grade 2, then progress through the ranks to Warrant Officer in competition with other NDITECH members.
Explosive Ordnance (EO)
As an Avionics Technician, you’ll undertake general aviation EO training at RAAFSTT and are then required to undertake additional training relevant to the aircraft which you work on.