ANZSCO Work Type Detail Sheets

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Air Traffic Controller

231112 · Sedentary
Career data Verified

Air traffic controllers direct and control air traffic movement at airports and the surrounding airspace.

Most common salary $115k – $233k
Upper salary up to $253k
Training 0-3 years
View on Tahatū ↗ Data: Tahatū Career Navigator, CC BY 4.0
Related careers
Traffic controller ↗

Traffic controllers guide or control vehicle and pedestrian traffic at places like streets, schools, railroad crossings and construction sites.

$53k – $86k
Data: Tahatū Career Navigator, CC BY 4.0

Description

Ensures the safe and efficient movement of aircraft in controlled airspace and aerodromes by directing aircraft movements.

Typical work tasks

  • Controls aircraft movements, and directs aircraft taxiing, take-offs and landings by radio; provides pre-flight briefings and aeronautical information services.

Typical work environment

  • Frequently works indoors in control towers at airports or radar centres.
  • Works in well lit, heated, ventilated and clean, well maintained workspaces. Conditions are likely to be noisy due to aeroplane noise and radio communication traffic.

Typical physical and mental demands

  • Sedentary physical demand. Frequently sits at desks or benches with radar machines, computers and other electronic systems.
  • Stands and walks occasionally.
  • Stretching up and across is not a significant component of this job
  • Lifting, carrying or pulling is not a significant component of this job
  • Bending, squatting or crouching is not a significant component of this job.
  • Occasional to frequent repetitive hand and finger movements are required when operating radars, radios, telephones and computers.
  • Driving is not required.
  • Mental skills necessary include a high level of cognitive functioning with interpreting, computing, communication, interpersonal, planning, and organisational, problem solving, critical thinking and decision-making capabilities.
Entry signal Model estimate

Requires a substantial formal qualification. A licence or registration is legally required.

Entry barrier Formal qualification
Licence / registration Licence/registration required
ANZSCO skill level 1
Next-day ready No

Unverified — this label is model-generated and not yet clinician-reviewed. Confirm against the WTDS before relying on it.

How this was determined (model-generated): Air Traffic Controller: L7 Diploma plus mandatory ATC licence/Class 3 medical/security clearance - core legal gate. Correct.

Entry Requirements

  • Five years work experience as an Air Traffic Controller or hold a Diploma in Air Traffic Control Level 7 which involves a six month course and on-the-job training, or equivalent qualification. Additionally all controllers require a Class 3 medical certificate and airport security clearance. This role is at ANZSCO Skill Level 1.
  • To gain entry into the Diploma course applicants must be either a NZ citizen or permanent NZ resident, pass aptitude tests, interview and group exercises, and be at least 20 years old. Additionally applicants need 12 Level 1 NCEA credits in maths, 8 Level 2 NCEA credits in English and 42 Level 3 NCEA credits in other subjects, (or equivalent).

Further Comments

  • There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.
  • Employees work shifts, evenings, weekends and public holidays.