I'm in cohort 17 I believe. I got the screening call on Tuesday and told them that I was interested in the Christchurch Tower stream starting in March, and they scheduled me for the assessment centre on the 19th.

That's worrying because I'm in cohort 16 still awaiting my screening call. Did they email you beforehand to let you know about the screening call or did they just call out of the blue?

Yeah that is a bit worrying. They emailed me the day before the call so I was sat as home waiting for it and it eventually came through in the morning. I’ve reached my minimums to access dm’s so feel free to contact me there instead.

I’m in Cohort 13 and got an email regarding the phone screen call just before December began… not looking good for me ig :/

Did you pass the interrupt test? From my experience the phone call is pretty casual so I would reach out to them for an update. For me it was about a month between interrupt test and phone call then another 3 months before assessment center.

They don't include the interrupt test with the online testing any longer. I'm not sure but I believe you do it at the assessment day since it's a full day test instead of a half day.

What number would I call? None of the emails they have sent me regarding recruitment include a phone number and I don't want to just call their main line, they probably dislike that.

I noticed they haven't put up an application form for 2026 trainees. Only the Experienced ATC ones are open. I guess they're working through last years backlog before opening up again?

That must be a recent change cause I did the interrupt test online back in June and a full day assessment center in September. I've reached out to the avrecruit email and usually have gotten a quick response.

I'd say so, my en-route course got pushed back from March to June. The last course they started was in November so will be almost 8 months before the next one. Won't imagine they'd have another course available until around Sep or Oct for the current applicants.

I know they are starting a NZ course in March, as far as other tower courses I'm not sure on when the next one or last one started.

The application seem to be open again, but in the application process it asks if you've applied in the last 18 months ? I've waited 12 months, but is there an increased wait time now between attempts?

I've heard if you get to AC you may be told to wait 18months, but I only ever got to the domain testing the first time.

It looks like they've changed the waiting period. I've waited the 12 months and just got told I need to wait until 18 months after my previous attempt...

Interesting, must be having trouble keeping up with the number of applicants? Only thing I can think of as to a reason to slow down the number of applicants.

Nah I had no interrupt test during my application this time. However I did have it last time when I applied.

I also got an email around 2 hours ago that I’ve got my phone screening tomorrow morning!! Can anyone give me a little heads up of what to expect during this call? Is it interview formatted? Thanks :)

I’ve got my call tomorrow morning!! Need 3 posts to get access to DMs (this should be the 3rd). Is it alright if I can DM you regarding what to expect for the screening call and if you’ve got any tips? :)

It's my understanding that it's not a formal interview, just more so a conversation to figure out what you want to do, if you want to consider New Zealand etc so they can figure out when to schedule your assessment date. Out of curiosity, what cohort are you in?

Haha yea you were right as it ended up being pretty straightforward. I’m in Cohort 13. Passed the phone screen and now waiting for the assessment centre date :)

Did they give you an idea of when assessment centres would be?

I waited like 2 months from my phone call to assessment center invite, and they gave 11 days notice lol

Just got an email inviting me to the first stage of testing, I'm hoping someone could help me clear up some questions I have about some technical requirements for the testing. (I've already emailed the recruitment team but didn't get very clear answers)

One thing the testing invitation email said was that I should have a keyboard with a number keypad, but the laptop I have doesn't have a keypad - does anyone know how much this might affect me?

Also, I'd have to do the test while overseas, so I was wondering if anyone had any issues or were able to successfully complete it overseas.

Gday all, first time poster here.

Was deemed unsuccessful for the WA tower opening despite doing the 3 rounds of testing, so I have a few questions.

1) Does everyone get invited to all 3 rounds of testing regardless of results? Or if I butcher round 1 would I not get invited to round 2 etc?

2) If I didn’t process after the round 3 is it safe to assume that it was the round 3 results that gave that decision? (because if it was round 2 for example I wouldn’t get invited to round 3?)

3) Is there anymore aptitude testing after round 3 and from what I’ve read, a phone call?

I’m keen to apply again in 18 months, but with the whole ‘no feedback’ thing I’m lost as to where I actually went wrong, as I also work with the PER tower daily so I’m exposed to tower operations everyday I’m at work, and felt very confident throughout the rounds.

Cheers

I'm not sure about overseas, but you will for sure want a keyboard with a number keypad on it.

Thanks for the advice, I've managed to secure a proper keyboard to plug into my laptop, hopefully that will work well enough.

Did you end up getting it? I'm Cohort 13 too, I've heard nothing

Nevermind, saw that you did. Woops!

Welp - for anybody else wondering, I'm still waiting.

Hi everyone, I was deemed unsuccessful for my first attempt in April 2025 and was planning to re-try after 12 months. However, just realised the waiting period just changed to 18 months... Feeling a bit frustrated.

Hi Emily, I'm in a similar situation. I'm in Cohort 15 and was notfied on 21/11/25 that I'd passed the online testing. I'm still waiting for my phone screening call too.

Hi there!

I reached out (I know I know, recruiting will hate me for that). I wanted to ensure that my application was still active. They replied:

"Due to the high number of applicants, it may take a little longer than expected to finalise and communicate next steps. We will be continuing our phone screening calls as soon as we have capacity in the team. We truly appreciate your understanding and continued interest in the role."

Sounds like they need a minute to catch up on all the other applicants first.

Hi everyone, has anyone heard back regarding the upcoming assessment centre?

Thank you

Hey,

I am on hold apparently for an assessment centre, however have heard nothing about dates, are you going to one?

I am in Melbourne and I heard they are doing a few interstate before doing a Melbourne one.

Hi everyone, first time posting here.
I recently over the last three weeks completed my 3 rounds of the initial testing and just got an email for a screening phone call tomorrow. Just wondering what they ask? I’ve read here people say it’s pretty casual but is it still an interview style phone call? (e.g what are your strengths and weaknesses etc..)
Cheers
P.S Happy to answer any questions relating to anyone who has upcoming tests!

I also did the tests over the last 3 weeks. I got an email today that says this: "We are pleased to advise that your application has progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process, which is a phone screen call with a member of our team, his will help us determine who will be invited to attend an assessment centre. . At this stage, we do not have a confirmed date for when these calls will take place, however, we will extend an invitation as soon as we have dates confirmed."

Is this the same as what you got?

I got this exact email: Thank you for your time completing our online testing and your patience as we continue to work through the recruitment process.

Per our previous communication, your application has instead been moved to our phone screening stage, to will help us determine who will be invited to attend an assessment centre.

You can expect a call from our team between 10:30am and 1:00pm (AEST) tomorrow, Wednesday 25th February, using the phone number you provided in your application. Please be aware that the call may come from a private or unknown number.

Congratulations for progressing through to the telephone screening stage.

Maybe there's a large queue or they base the phone calls off the scores from the stages? Not sure. I'll let you know how the call goes today and hopefully you get a call soon as well :)

I actually just got a follow-up email today saying I should be expecting a call tomorrow (26th February)! Please do let me know how your call went :)

Ay nice! My call went ok ( I think?) It was very casual and quick. What motivated you to apply, what skills do you bring from your background. And then final questions were what stream would you prefer, and whether you would be open to training in Melbourne, Christchurch or both. She said that the questions get repeated on assessment center testing day, if you happen to change your mind, and I believe she said the next testing is on March 16th. No clue what happens from here or how long it takes for an invite to the assessment center.
All the best!

Hi friends, first time poster here.

Thanks for posting this Emily, after a long wait it is really good to hear some feedback, and to know other people are in the same boat. Recently starting searching online to see if there were any forums that applicants were posting to during the application process through ASA; and it's great to have found one!

Best of luck to everyone applying.

Nice work on progressing to the Assessment Centre Azza, and thanks for sharing some info on the process! Can I assume you're doing your AC in either Sydney or Newcastle? I'm from Melbourne and it seems there is a bit of a backlog down here while we wait for the next AC date to open up.

Based on everyone's different experiences it seems like how soon you get a call and how soon you get invited to an AC is based on where you live. I'm in Brisbane and I was told in the call today that the next AC would be in April.

Whereas I live in Melbourne and have been waiting for my phone call since December. I finished my initial tests back in Oct/Nov and got the phone call email in early December.

On the same boat mate, still no call for me as well!