The Hon. Ros Bates, Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training (Qld), Media Release, 21 January 2026
The Crisafulli Government is delivering skilled jobs and long-term training pathways for Queenslanders, with the Townsville Aviation Training Academy opening its doors and welcoming its first group of defence aviation apprentices this week.
Delivered through Aviation Australia the academy will provide specialist training to support Boeing Defence Australia’s new maintenance workforce for the Australian Army’s AH-64E Apache helicopters, alongside the expanding CH-47F Chinook program.
The academy responds directly to a growing shortage of skilled aviation maintenance workers across Queensland, where workforce gaps hold back industry growth and local job creation.
The first intake of 35 apprentices started their training on Monday, marking a practical step toward building a long-term aviation maintenance workforce based in North Queensland.
The new Townsville campus features more than 750 square metres of dedicated classroom hangars, housing full-scale rotary and fixed-wing training aids to give students hands-on experience in a real-world environment.
By putting training where the jobs are, the Crisafulli Government is tackling Labor’s skills shortages at the source and building a workforce that supports a better lifestyle through a stronger economy.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Ros Bates, said the academy showed how the Government was aligning training investment with real workforce demand.
“This academy is exactly how we build a skills system that is driven by real jobs, not by theoretical training outcomes,” Minister Bates said.
“It delivers a direct pathway from apprenticeship into skilled employment and forms part of our plan to grow a workforce Queensland’s economy and critical industries will rely on for decades.”
Assistant Minister for Community Safety, Defence Industry, Veterans and North Queensland, Janelle Poole, said the academy strengthened independent defence capability and operational readiness in regional Queensland.
“This facility builds the highly specialised maintenance workforce our Defence Force needs to sustain critical aviation capability in North Queensland,” Assistant Minister Poole said.
“It strengthens readiness, supports independent defence industry capability and ensures Australia can maintain essential aircraft locally when it matters most.”
Member for Townsville Adam Baillie said the academy delivered long-term economic opportunity and career security for the Townsville community.
“This academy gives young people in Townsville a clear, high-skill career pathway into defence aviation without having to leave home,” Mr Baillie said.
“It anchors specialised jobs in the local economy and locks in Townsville’s role as a major defence and aviation training centre for the future.”
Aviation Australia CEO, Glenn Ryan AM, said the new academy will play a critical role in building a skilled local workforce, not only for defence but also for commercial and general aviation businesses across North Queensland.
“The launch of our new campus in Townsville is another important step towards growing Aviation Australia’s national training footprint to support our ever-changing aviation and aerospace industry,” Mr Ryan said.
“By working closely with Defence, Boeing Defence Australia and the Australian and Queensland Governments, we’re growing our defence training programs. We’re also providing exciting opportunities for young people, especially those in North Queensland, wanting to pursue a rewarding career in our growing aviation industry without having to leave the region,”
