Townsville Aviation Training Academy soars to new heights
The Townsville Aviation Training Academy has taken off in style in its first year, winning the Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award at the 2026 Queensland Training Awards.
The Townsville Aviation Training Academy is a landmark collaboration between Aviation Australia and Boeing Defence Australia and opened its doors for training in early 2026.
It was established not only to meet the Australian Army’s evolving maintenance workforce needs, but to build a long‑term, sustainable pipeline of skilled aviation talent for North Queensland.
The Academy is the first training environment in Australia explicitly aligned to Defence’s maintenance training needs in a regional hub.
It is a co‑designed, co‑governed partnership between Aviation Australia and Boeing Defence Australia that goes well beyond standard training delivery.
In its first year of operation, the Townsville Aviation Training Academy welcomed 35 Boeing Defence Australia apprentices training as aircraft maintenance engineers for the Australian Army’s rotary wing fleet, which includes AH‑64E Apache and CH‑47F Chinook helicopters.
In addition, 25 school students progressed through North Queensland’s first Certificate II in Aircraft Line Maintenance VET in Schools (VETiS) pathway.
With training underway and established Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools project partnerships and VETiS feeding the future, the collaboration delivers a complete pipeline from school to apprenticeship to licence‑ready technicians.
The Townsville Aviation Training Academy is creating skilled local jobs, reducing relocation barriers and strengthening long-term aviation capability in North Queensland.
Boeing Defence Australia’s Director of Sustainment Operations, Naomi Smith said the award recognised the strength of the collaboration between the two organisations.
“Collaboration has been key – we couldn’t have achieved this by ourselves. As our partner, Aviation Australia gives us a regional training capability we lacked, while we provide paid apprenticeships and clear career pathways for North Queenslanders. That partnership enables real opportunities and stronger outcomes for our Defence customer. Together we are stronger,” Naomi said.
Aviation Australia Chief Commercial Officer Brendan Mikkelson said winning the award was a significant achievement for everyone involved.
“It’s a great feeling. It’s a lot of hard work from a lot of really good people and we're very appreciative of the award,” Brendan said.
“The academy is providing local people with access to world-class aviation training and rewarding career opportunities, while helping meet the aviation and aerospace industry's growing demand for skilled workers. “
“This collaboration is playing a vital role in strengthening regional capability, supporting workforce sustainability, and building the talent pipeline needed to support Australia's sovereign aviation and aerospace capabilities into the future,” he said.
The Townsville Aviation Training Academy will now go on to contest their award on the national stage at the Australian Training Awards to be held in Sydney on 20 November 2026.
Learn more about the Queensland Training Awards.
Learn more about the Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools project.