Training in Christchurch? That's a new one. Can you elaborate on this?

They’re outsourcing to Airways International to run more courses simultaneously. Slightly bummed that I will miss out on life and connections at the academy in Melb but oh well that’s life. The NZ bunch look like they have a good track record training NZ and UAE ATCs so I’m not too worried at this stage.

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Congratulations on getting through. How much notice did you get of the course being in NZ? What’s the accommodation situation? I assume you stay over there for the length of the course?

I was given 3 months notice until the start of training. The actual move to CHC won’t happen until 2-3 months into training and its going to be split between chc and at local base. Flying back and forth a few times. 20weeks total in chc. Besides that I wasn’t given specifics. Accommodation is self arranged but there will be an allowance.

If they do run another course through Christchurch next time I think it could be different depending on how our intake goes. It does seem like we are the guinea pigs haha

Does anyone here have their assessment centre this month?

Called it :cool:

https://australianaviation.com.au/20...-atc-training/

Can't even train their own controllers now!

An initial cohort of six Airservices Australia trainees will be sent to Christchurch following 10 weeks of online training with Airways’ AKO virtual academy. This represents the beginning of a new contract between the two ATC organisations, with further cohorts expected to be sent in future. ......

Hi all,
Can anyone tell about the conversion course for the experience Air Traffic controllers. What is the success rate during the training and success rate for the final rating endorsement.

Thanks in advance

Looks like AsA are hiring Simulator Support Officers. Does anyone know if it’s possible to move laterally from SSO into ATC?
I’ve heard rumours that there is a pathway for it.

There is no formal pathway to it internally. You'll still have to pass the tests and interviews like the general public. The only advantage you might get is the admin side of it because of having an ASIC and company profile, and being somewhat familiar with the role.

A possible disadvantage is a conflict of interest because you'd have done or seen ATC sim exams as an SSO.

New hopeful
 

Hey everyone!
I’m going through the newest set of recruitment for ASA, waiting for my second phase 2 of online testing.

I’ve read a fair bit here of the recruitment process, and although im not largely confident im going to get through im very curious about the life past testing

Any chance any controllers can tell me what the 12-15 months are like in training actually? What dyu learn etc

Conversion course is usually based on a Training Needs Analysis (Gap Analysis) and usually done in Melbourne. Success rate is usually pretty high though matching your skills and experience to your new location isn't always AsA strong suit. Examples include Radar Controllers to a Procedural Sectors, Procedural Tower ATCs to a Radar Tower.

Recently heard of nil conversion course, experienced ATC sent directly to a Radar Tower.

5 or 6 years ago there was a trial of SSO > ATC, unsure whether it was successful.

Thanks missy, my application is still on active hold. I guess ASA usually take longer duration for the final outcome. Interview and ref check was completed in October, 2023 and yet no concrete answer. 😊

Do you have the right to work in Australia? Last I heard they weren't sponsoring visa application, but that could change.

I was in a class back in 2021-2022. 24 at the time, felt a lot like being back in school honestly, I personally had no other tertiary education experience to compare it to.
The content was mostly learning about the different categories of aircraft and the applicable separation standards to ensure safety.
​​​​​​The beginning is a very theory heavy classroom which transitions into simulator exercises. You definitely need to keep up with the study at home to be able to apply the learning during the simulator runs.
I was on a Tower Course but feel that En Route would be a similar experience.

Hey December 4 class seconded to NZ; how is your training coming along?

Reference Limbo
 

May assessment centre for me, received XRef request a couple days later, and sitting in perpetual limbo. Anyone heard anything, or anyone have a past experience waiting a long time like this?

The waiting is the hardest thing out of all the tests 😅

Congrats - hope you hear soon.

Any pointers for the assessment centre?

Thanks! And congrats if you've made it to the assessment centre. My only advice would be to have fun, work as a team, and be prepared to have all systems go. For the interview, prepare some practise examples for yourself based off what ASA are looking for. Get someone you trust to make some questions for you and have them mock interview you. I got my partner to and it made me feel much more comfortable. Oh, and follow STAR! The amount of times they reiterate it...you'd be silly not to.

Moving to Melbourne to start the course (enroute) this September. Is anyone else making the move from interstate and looking for a flatmate?

Let me know :)

Hey, I'll also be moving in September for the enroute course. Havn't got any accomodation yet so I'm interested.
I'd pm you but havn't made enough posts yet. You should able to contact me by email through my profile page though.

Sent you an email through the PPRuNE system a few days back! Let me know if you didn't get it.

I'll be starting the Tower course in September as well. I'll be sure to look out for a person name RasinToast when I start :p

I noticed this line in the news about the new enterprise agreement.

"An increase in the Ab Initio Trainee* rate from commencement of employment, to expand the recruit pool and the retention of current Ab Initio Trainees."

Does anyone know what the changed pay will be and if it will come in for us?

New pay scales should be applied within the next couple months assuming FWC approval AsA signing etc

Pay will be $60k from the sign date, 62k 12 months after that and 64k for the final year of the agreement.

That's awesome news!

Would you happen to know if the $8k signing bonus mentioned applies to Ab Initio Trainees?

Can anyone please tell about the recruitment time frame? I got an email today to do a stage 2 online assessment.

You would be if you were an Ab initio on signing, if you started afterwards you wouldn't be eligible, bit of a stitch up.

Does anyone have a link to the updated pay scale? I'm a UK based ATCO considering applying and wondered what the difference in pay would be.

See page 124.
https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/agr...g2024_2680.pdf

ATC trainee
 

Hey recently got through to stage 2 testing to become a trainee ATC but unfortunately didn’t pass. Was wondering if anyone knew how high the benchmark is and how hard it is to actually become a trainee? Also wanted to know if any current or previous air traffic controllers would be willing to answer a couple questions I had in private messages. Thanks.

It's pretty challenging to pass every step of the application process. Even if you pass everything and receive a job offer, the 12-14 month study is said to be really challenging, not everyone passes it.

After the 2nd stage of online testing there's a live test they do on Microsoft Teams called the interrupt test. If successful, you'll be asked to do a recorded video interview and after that you may be given a date for an in-person assessment centre.
No idea what the testing benchmark is. They don't provide your results, other than a pass or fail.

Anyway, while I’m here, can any active ATCs confirm that different shift times (particularly over night shifts) attract a different hourly pay rate? Or is it a flat rate no matter the time worked?

Based off of the ATC EA there is no extra allowance in pay specifically for night shifts or weekends. It is a flat rate unless it is overtime or a public holiday. However, if you are rostered weekends you get 5 weeks leave instead of 4. If you work overnight shifts then you get 6 weeks of leave.

Hiya all!

Total newbie here, but I put in an application today and was doing my research due diligence, here and elsewhere. I noticed though that while the WA Tower ATC Trainee mentions "Comprehensive training provided by our Registered Training Organisation (RTO 5168) in Melbourne or Perth." everywhere I look only talks about the Melbourne location - the listing for the WA role only seems to have gone up yesterday, is this a new thing?

Thanks!

First time I've seen Perth mentioned. I doubt it's a mistake, so maybe they're starting to offer training there!
There was a news post on the ASA website a few weeks ago that said they're looking to hire 80 controllers this financial year alone, which is a lot considering they only hired 120 in the past four years.
It wouldn't surprise me if they're going to run training in Perth to increase their reach?

It's also interesting that it stipulates it's a tower application for Western Australia. Normally the application process isn't specific about en route vs tower & location at all.

This quote is from their news post on August 5 titled "First air traffic control trainees graduate from Australia-New Zealand partnership"
(I can't post links as I'm a new user)

I'm up to stage 2 of the online testing but will have to withdraw my application as I just started a new job and unfortunately won't have the time to complete any of the assessments and any other future requirements.

Would this count as an unsuccessful application?

I (stupidly) applied several years ago also, but was ineligible, just wondering if I am striking myself out completely?

What's the best way to withdraw my application? I don't see the option online or a good email to contact.

They've changed it recently, unsuccessful applications only count if you went to the assessment centre (I think if you have a look on their website it should confirm this). Just don't do the tests and your application should be unsuccessful

I recently completed the stage 2 testing and have been checking my emails about 1000 times a day for an update! Have you received anything yet if you didn't complete the testing? Has anyone who recently completed the stage 2 testing heard anything back?

Hey guys, I went to the ASA assessment centre on 22 October, and received an email asking for Xref references later that same day. Filled those out on 23 October, and haven’t heard a peep since then. Anyone else in the same boat?