Aviation Australia: The Story So Far
It began with an idea: to build an aerospace centre of excellence in Queensland. What followed was 25 years of firsts, new frontiers and partnerships that would take Aviation Australia from Brisbane to the world. From its first 62 Aeroskills graduates to international training programs, new campuses and the Qantas Engineering Academy, these are some of the moments that shaped Aviation Australia.
January 2001: Queensland Government launches its “Queensland Takes Off” policy, including funding for an “aerospace centre of excellence”.
July 2001: Private sector CEO Paul Bredereck is recruited to establish Aviation Australia.
September 2001: Queensland Treasury approves the business case to establish Aviation Australia.
December 2001: Aviation Australia receives Registered Training Organisation accreditation and grows to 21 employees. Eight remain with the organisation today.
January 2002: Certificate IV Aeroskills and pre-vocational training courses commence.
June 2002: Aviation Australia Group Training places its first trainees.
December 2002: The Aviation Australia Technical Training Centre opens and the first 62 Aeroskills students graduate.
April 2003: Aviation Australia welcomes its first major international customers: Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and Air Niugini.
July 2004: The Cairns Aviation Skills Centre opens, extending Aviation Australia’s training footprint into Far North Queensland and the Asia Pacific.
February 2005: Aviation Australia becomes the first organisation in Australia to receive EASA Part 147 accreditation, meeting the European Union’s rigorous airworthiness, safety and environmental standards.
April 2006: The Cabin Crew Training Centre opens, providing training facilities for Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin.
August 2006: Hong Kong’s CR Airways signs with Aviation Australia for a Boeing 737 conversion course, training 65 crew members.
February 2007: Aviation Australia signs its first major courseware licensing agreement with Emirates Airline.
May 2007: Aviation Australia becomes the first organisation in Australia to receive CASA CAO 100.66 Recognised Organisation accreditation. It also becomes the first to provide CAO 100.66 training to Qantas and Virgin Blue for A380 and EMB 170/190 entry into service.
March 2008: Aviation Australia secures a cadet training contract with the Saudi Arabian Civil Defence Aviation Command.
April 2008: The Indigenous Cabin Crew student program commences, with 60 students completing the program through Career Employment Australia (CEA).
March 2010: Aviation Australia secures a Boeing Factory Training Contract. Air Niugini also sends its entire cabin crew workforce to Aviation Australia for customer service training, with more than 100 crew taking part.
July 2010: Aviation Australia begins delivering training in Oman for the Royal Air Force of Oman.
September 2010: Bill Horrocks is announced as Aviation Australia’s new CEO.
November 2010: Aviation Australia secures the Qantas Cabin Crew Contract.
December 2010: Aviation Australia celebrates 895 Aeroskills graduates since 2002, with 98% securing employment or continuing to further study. Cabin Crew graduates reach 686, with more than half securing roles with 35 airlines around the world.
March 2011: Aviation Australia provides training in Brisbane for the Oman Ministry of Defence.
December 2014: International Aviation Technical College at Riyadh (IATC) is opened and training begins, established and operated by Aviation Australia Riyadh College (AARC) – a joint venture between Aviation Australia and Shamal Investments Saudi Arabia to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s growing aviation industry.
February 2015: Aviation Australia expands its Cabin Crew training into Sydney and Melbourne.
November 2017: Aviation Australia partners with Japan Airline Academy and Ansan University to deliver a Cabin Crew English Program.
February 2018: Aviation Australia launches a Certificate II in Aircraft Line Maintenance for high school students in Alice Springs.
July 2020: Aviation Australia moves into new training facilities in Victoria.
December 2020: Cabin crew graduates reach 2,487 since the program began in 2006.
February 2021: The Territory Aviation Skills Centre (TASC) opens in Darwin.
June 2021: Aviation Australia purchases Remote Aviation Australia.
August 2022: Aviation Australia harnesses drone technology to help transform park management at Kakadu. The FAME Initiative also launches, supporting greater diversity across the aviation industry.
August 2022: Aviation Australia harnesses drone technology to help transform park management at Kakadu. The FAME Initiative also launches, supporting greater diversity across the aviation industry.
February 2023: Aviation Australia launches the Cairns Cadetship Program, which goes on to win multiple awards.
June 2023: Aviation Australia and Qantas launch the Qantas Engineering Academy.
February 2024: Glenn Ryan is announced as Aviation Australia’s new CEO.
July 2024: Aviation Australia and Sri Lankan Aviation College announce a transnational training program.
November 2024: Aviation Australia hosts the Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools program as it marks its 20th anniversary.
January 2025: The first apprentices commence training at the new Qantas Engineering Academy in Brisbane.
May 2025: Aviation Australia partners with CAE Malaysia to deliver a groundbreaking transnational multi-aircraft maintenance licence program.
December 2025: Aviation Australia partners with Royal Brunei Airlines.
January 2026: The Townsville Aviation Training Academy opens, supporting aviation workforce development across North Queensland.
September 2026: Aviation Australia wins the Industry Collaboration Award at the Queensland Training Awards for the Townsville Aviation Training Academy.
October 2026: Total number of graduates reaches 25,800 since 2001. Aviation Australia also marks its 25th anniversary with a special celebration in the hangar at its Brisbane headquarters, bringing together the people and partners who have shaped its journey.
