Cool, glad I'm not the only one (although I'm sure there is another 2000 or so lurking around the country)! I've just submitted my application, so hoping to progress to the online testing.

Is anyone able to share if the online tests are similar to those found on the SHL website? Or perhaps the FAA test is a good one to practice?

You aren't competing for a position as such - it's all about aptitude and meeting standards and it was often painfully obvious when people had been "pre-briefed" on what to expect. FWIW the testing has also changed recently. The point of the "simulator" wasn't simulating an ATC environment but problem solving - it's easier to demonstrate concepts without extraneous detail.

After attending the assessment centre on the 8th October, I was lucky enough this week to be offered a position as a trainee controller on the en route course starting in March!

Some of the tests etc mentioned previously did come up on the assessment day and of the 10 at the start of the day, I was one of 3 to last the whole day. There were some simulation type tests and some quick response/ multi tasking tests as well as a test like the online one for those who have done it.

As frustrating as it is, you can't and don't want to prepare for them. If you come in having prepared for something you thought was going to come up and it is even slightly different, it will affect you negatively. We were told not to share too much basically because it will affect future applicants detrimentally as opposed to keeping it a secret.

I desperately wanted to know what to expect but going in with no expectations really helped me and you have plenty of practice runs and time to get used to the format and rules etc.

Good luck to all the applicants in the upcoming intake!!

Congrats! I'll see you in March :) Also got into enroute.

I did mine on the 10th. The day was a lot of fun though (well, I thought so!)
Echoing your sentiments - at one stage the entire group on the day were talking, and everybody I spoke to did the same thing many of us are on here for - frantically searching the internet for ANY information on the assessments, only to see the comments of 'you can't prepare for it'. After we had gone through a few tests we all agreed that while those comments were infuriating at the time, they're completely correct. Get a good night sleep and get there early enough that you don't risk getting stuck in traffic and stressing out.

Good luck to everybody applying for the role.

They reached out in mid-November and did another round of assessment from the June applicants on the Monday (10) and Tuesday (11) just passed; for the March en-route intake. I went on 10/12; there were 7 of us on Monday but I was the only one who made it to the Interview Stage (5 were sent home after lunch) and my references have been contacted by ASA already. I'm not sure how big and how successful the Tuesday group was. Now just waiting for an email/call to advise if I made it through or not.

Interesting. Well done on getting through so far!
Now, you still need to be patient; even after the reference check it still took some time, might have been a couple of weeks, to receive the notification by email (initially they said end of the week but it took longer). Anxious wait I'm sure!

Hey guys, congrats to all who have been offered a place on courses next year.

If anyone starting January is looking for a place, there is a room available at a share house 15 mins drive from the airport. You will be sharing with 2 en route students who are about half way through the training.

Feel free to message for more details.

Accommodation
 

Hello,
I start at Airservices tomorrow (14/1) as an enroute trainee and was just enquiring if there was still a room available?
Also I was wondering where abouts the house was located and if any other trainees had contacted you?
Thankyou very much in advance and I am quite interested so if you were available for an inspection sometime soon that would be great!
Kind regards,
Geoff

Hi I was wondering if anyone here is a RAAF ATC, current or ex?
Or even someone who is going through the recruitment process.
Cheers

Sydney TCU woes
 

Hi,

Can you describe the online test questions you had? Are they very similar to the practice tests at the SHL Direct site?

And can anyone share other sites with suitable practice tests that will genuinely help us prepare? After doing those SHL Direct ones a few times I just start to memorise the answers.

Thanks

Yes, haven't heard anything yet. I guess we probably won't until applications close.

A little guidance please !!
 

Hi everyone ,

Appreciate all your help i can get ..

1. To qualify for the training programme they ask for year 12/ Diploma or Degree.

--Is any Diploma issued by a recognized college accepted ?
--do they look for the field of study and specially the length of study??


2. What is the remuneration during training in melbourne ? Please give me figures ?

thanx heaps

Hi guys,

I am busy applying as well, just waiting for my resume to be done. Have no idea what to expect, but hoping to get in. On my way over there from South Africa, so figured I may as well try to get back into aviation while i'm busy turning my world on its head.

Does anyone know how long after online assessments the site assessments will be? And how long after that we'll know if we're in or not? It would make my immigration plans easier if I knew for sure where I was going to, i.e. Melbourne or somewhere warmer..;)
I have read through the history on here but it seems verrrry variable. Sometimes days, sometimes months.

Sachcho, as far as I know the only reason they require a recent qualification is to show that you have the ability to study a large volume of theory work in a set time. I also don't believe that the field of study matters too much, but this is only an assumption. Then as far as remuneration, if I recall correctly I read somewhere that its around AUD$53k per year while training in Melbourne (12-14months), then AUD$73k while practical training at destination facility (3-6months), then AUD$104k once you receive your rating. This is more or less what I remember, not sure of exact figures at all.

Good luck for the process!
Regards, Gavin

Like you said it can be really variable but typically can expect anywhere from a few weeks to 2 or 3 months after your online assessments until the assessment day and then 2 to 3 weeks after that to find out whether you've made the cut.

Okay great, do you know how long approximately after online assessments we will know whether we will be invited to site assessment?

ATC waiting period
 

Hey guys!
First time applying for ATC and just recently sent my application. I'm wondering, do the online tests usually come straight after the deadline or is there a waiting period? Just want to get it over and done with :/ Looking forward to your correspondences!

Hi Maggie,
Yes I have unrestricted permanent residence as of May actually. It was quite a process and a long wait, but the visa came through just a week after applications opened, luckily. :)

Hi Juzzi,

They said the online tests will be done between the 13th & 16th of June, so starting on Thursday.

hi
 

Hi Gavin,
That means we will receive a link or invitation only after 13th.
Thanks

No I completed and advanced diploma in electrical engineering just last year, at the ripe young age of 35. I do have an expired licence though, I used to fly weight shift microlights. But I see on the application they only allow you to select one of the requirements, so I chose my diploma.

How about you?

Hello everyone, greetings, new member here:)

I was quite set on my decision to aim for a position within the ATC but after reading this forum and others, it seems to be apparent to me that the skills required are heavily dependant on original talent rather a progressive workable knowledge capability. I do not know how my skills in this department rank in comparison to the standards but I would like to know how dependent the positions in the course and the professions are on these un-acquirable skills, it worries me to think about it after entertaining the thought for such a long time. P.S. I am still in school so it's not like I've locked myself into any expectations but the dream seems to have lost its glamour after reading these past few months/years of comments on the course and application process. (specifically in relation to communication (or lack thereof) from admin and the uncertainty associated with the program *457* ) If answers could be give to the above that would be much appreciated.

Hi everyone, new here. I just had some questions about the online testing in 2019? From reading the thread I've gathered the process has changed a bit over the years.

In the email I received I was told to expect various topics, including 'spatial' and 'checking'. Can anyone confirm what exactly these involve?
Having a guess I would say that the spatial is some sort of ATC simulator (we are told it opens another browser)?
Checking; I have no idea.

TIA

No contact yet
 

Hi all,

Applications closed day before yesterday already, and I have not received any correspondence regarding where/when to do online tests. My application status still says "Application Received".

Anyone received feedback yet? Should I be worried?

Through some research I've worked out what it will be, please disregard.

I haven't heard anything either. Starting to think they didn't like my resume.

Hey Gavin,
It should be sent via the email you've provided on your application, not on the application itself. Recently got the email on the 13th this Month, hopefully you'll find it there.

Juzzi

Hey guys,

Nope I checked properly in my email folders,junk mail, everything. I got nothing.

I thought everyone would be given a shot at the online testing at least?

What worries me now is by Monday when someone is manning man phone, then online testing is over and we've missed the bus! :(

Ellofiend, controlling isn't just about learning a set of rules and facts. It's about being able to pull them all together as a coherent whole and applying them. So yes, it's very dependent on your pre-existing abilities and attributes. All you can do is give it your best shot and hope you demonstrate the attributes they're after that indicate you have an aptitude for controlling. The training is about moulding your raw skills into a suitable form. Yes, you have to also learn a lot of rules and facts along the way but ultimately you need to be able to demonstrate you can separate aircraft. That continues throughout your career.

If you've sent your application, they should've sent an e-mail regarding if you have successfully or have not gone through to the next stage. If you didnt receive an e-mail from airservices, I guess you got to prepare for the worst i'm afraid.

juzzi

Hey guys, long time follower, first time poster here. I just finished the online assessment today and did not find it to be the easiest thing. Missed a couple questions in arithmetics and checking tests before the timer ran out. How did everyone else go? When can we expect to hear back regarding the results and did anyone get the OPQ straightaway?

Test
 

I've recently finished and the test was unexpectingly harder than I thought, found spatial to be a difficulty, but I guess the rest I found to be manageable. Got butterflies in my stomach about it, wishing the best of luck to all current candidates.

To those (like me) who didn't hear back from Air Services: I sent an email asking for the reasons I was clearly unsuccessful since I met all requirements, and they replied saying they had a really large number of applications and might have another round of testing next month.

So theres still some hope I suppose!

All the best to those already going through.

Cheers

Online Ability Assessment
 

Hey Jerriri, I completed my online ability assessment on the Sunday gone. I didn't find it any more difficult than I was expecting, but in saying that, I also too missed a couple in the arithmetics section as I hovered my mouse over the answer. A bit frustrating but I guess everyone has done the best they can. I didn't get the OPQ straightaway.

I've spoken to a friend of mine who said he has done this kind of testing heaps, in another field though. He said that tests are often impossible to be 'aced' and that I shouldn't get hung up on that.

Let me know how you go with your application, best of luck!

Anyone heard back after the most recent round of online testing ending the 17th June? Been sitting at online testing complete - under review for a bit now and haven't heard anything either way.

Yea the anticipation is insane at this point

Just thought I'll share this but 2 people on Whirlpool received a phone call today inviting them to the assessment centre in 2 weeks time.