This qualification applies to employees of Civil Aviation Maintenance Organisations (AMOs) or to members of the Australian defence Force (ADF) who are engaged in the repair and modification of aircraft structures. The qualification defines the exit from apprenticeship and may apply to work performed in hangars on the structure of complete aircraft and to work performed in workshops on structural components.

The training pathways provide for work on both metal and composite structures. In some cases, primarily in the General Aviation sector, individuals may be also required to work on aircraft with wooden structures and/or fabric coverings. The applicable competencies are covered in the units MEA357 Inspect, test and repair aircraft fabric surfaces, MEA358 Re-cover aircraft fabric surfaces and MEA359 Inspect and repair aircraft wooden structures.

The qualification consists of:

• common and imported units that apply to all Aeroskills specialist streams at AQF Certificate III and IV levels
• mandatory structures technical stream units
• elective mechanical technical stream units that provide a degree of multi-skilling where needed to meet workplace requirements
• elective structures technical stream and imported units required to meet workplace needs.

The qualification also provides credits towards the MEA50418 Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management (Mechanical) and the MEA60218 Advanced Diploma of Aviation Maintenance Management (Mechanical). A limited number of credits are also provided towards the MEA50218 Diploma of Aeroskills (Mechanical).

This qualification applies to workplaces that operate under the airworthiness regulatory systems of the ADF and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Any regulatory/licensing requirements associated with any MEA units of competency must be met.