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Townsville is set to become home to a major new aviation training hub, with Aviation Australia and Boeing Defence Australia announcing the establishment of the Townsville Aviation Training Academy.
The facility, which is under construction at Mt Louisa, is due to open its doors in January 2026, with its first intake to focus on training aircraft maintenance engineers for the Australian Army’s rotary wing fleet, including the AH-64E Apache helicopters that are scheduled to be based in Townsville from later this year.
The academy will feature more than 750 square metres of dedicated training space, fitted out with both rotary and fixed-wing training aids to service the defence and commercial aviation sectors. The inaugural program will train 36 Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) apprentices and trainees, with the aim of building a sustainable pipeline of aviation talent in North Queensland.
Queensland’s Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Ros Bates, said the project demonstrates the Crisafulli government’s commitment to creating opportunities across the state.
“This academy is a direct result of the Crisafulli government’s commitment to delivering, industry-led solutions that work for Queenslanders. We’re not just talking about creating jobs, skills and economic growth, we’re getting on with it,” Minister Bates said.
Minister Bates added, “The Crisafulli government is backing regional Queensland with serious investment in training and workforce development – because we know that’s how you build a stronger, more resilient state and deliver a better lifestyle for Queenslanders.”
Assistant Minister for Community Safety, Defence Industry, Veterans and North Queensland, and member for Mundingburra, Janelle Poole MP, said the academy represents a “strategic win” for the city.
“This is what delivering for Townsville looks like. The Crisafulli government is investing in our region, backing our defence community and creating real career pathways for locals,” Assistant Minister Poole said.
“Unlike governments that talk about the regions, we’re actually building the infrastructure and partnerships that make a difference.”
Aviation Australia chief executive officer Glenn Ryan AM, said the four-year contract with Boeing would give students access to world-class training in a purpose-built environment.
“The launch of our new campus in Townsville is another important step towards growing Aviation Australia’s national training footprint to support our thriving aviation and aerospace industry,” he said.
“As the largest provider of aviation training in the country, we are dedicated to expanding our reach to meet the industry’s critical skills needs. This new facility will support BDA’s workforce requirements and strengthen our national footprint to deliver world-leading training across aviation and aerospace industries in support of this sovereign capability.”
BDA managing director Amy List said the partnership with Aviation Australia would help cement Townsville’s role as a defence aviation hub.
“Our collaboration with Aviation Australia underscores a shared commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in aviation training, ultimately enhancing the operational readiness of Australia’s defence helicopter fleets and growing Townsville as a vital defence hub,” List said.
“The academy will not only train our new Townsville maintenance workforce for the Army’s future Apache helicopters but also support the growth of our existing 80-strong Chinook maintenance team, driving growth in a cutting-edge industry for north Queensland locals.”
Announced in May 2022, Australia is acquiring 29 Boeing-built AH-64E Apache “Guardian” attack helicopters under the $5.5 billion LAND 4503 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter replacement program.
Meanwhile Australia will acquire a fleet of 40 Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters under a foreign military sale with the United States worth AU$2.85 billion, to replace Australia’s fleet of MRH-90 Taipan helicopters as part of LAND 4507 Phase 1. The UH-60M leverages a suite of advanced technologies, enhancing the aircraft’s situational awareness, survivability, maintenance footprint, operational performance and interoperability with a host of existing and planned Army platforms to deliver a more reliable aircraft.
It is expected that switching to Black Hawks is expected to save the Commonwealth government AU$2.5 billion, with acquisition and sustainment costs estimated to total AU$7 billion between 2022–37.
Australia’s new look rotary wing fleet will replace the Army’s troubled ARH Tiger and MRH-90 Taipan helicopters, with the government opting for a proven, off-the-shelf platform capable of delivering armed reconnaissance, close support and airlift in contested battlespaces.
Eligible apprentices and trainees will be supported through the Queensland government’s Career Start (User Choice) program, administered by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training.
