Partners: Aviation Australia, Boeing Defence Australia
The Townsville Aviation Training Academy is a landmark collaboration between Aviation Australia and Boeing Defence Australia, delivering Defence-aligned aviation training in North Queensland.
Established to support the Australian Army's Apache and Chinook maintenance workforce requirements, the Academy provides school-based aviation programs, apprenticeships and licence-ready technician pathways that create clear routes into skilled employment.
By bringing specialist training to Townsville, the Academy is removing the need for many regional students to relocate to Brisbane, increasing access to training while strengthening local workforce capacity.
Its co-designed curriculum aligns Defence and civil aviation requirements, equipping learners with skills that are transferable across Defence, commercial and general aviation sectors.
Most importantly, the Academy is building long-term, place-based capability through school-to-apprenticeship and school-to-licence pathways that previously did not exist in the region.
Through this strategic industry-RTO collaboration, the Academy is creating a sustainable pipeline of skilled aviation professionals for North Queensland and beyond.