Aaaah Tom if only that were the case. Unfortunately (like the UK) Australia has an inordinate number of people working in the licenced security field. They are issued whats known as an Aviation Security Specialist licence and it is a relatively simple process of transferring the ASS licence across to the AME licence, and thus the shortfall is easily backfilled.
I myself regularly rely on the services of an ASS to utilise their licence and assist me in my maintenance activities when I would prefer to be inside sipping on a double decaf latte' rather than outside on the tarmac.
The ASS is actually one of the more difficult licences to obtain and is in great demand in Australia. I am not 100% certain but I believe that one of the first steps on the road to becoming an ASS is to obtain an A&P licence.
Frigid may be able to clarify this point.
Last edited by Gas Bags; 1st Feb 2011 at 18:27.