Airport Jobs in Australia (2025): Hiring Airlines, Roles, and Salaries

Overview of Airport Jobs in Australia (2025)

The Australian aviation industry is soaring in 2025, with a robust recovery from post-COVID challenges fueling a hiring boom. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, job vacancies in aviation rose by 4.5% in the three months to February 2025, totaling 15,600 openings. This surge is driven by a spike in domestic and international travel, contributing roughly $39 billion annually to Australia's GDP, as noted in the Australia Aviation Market Analysis. New international routes and increased flight frequencies—such as Singapore Airlines' 21% rise in daily flights—have amplified opportunities at airports nationwide, per Travel and Tour World.

From ground crew to security officers, roles span airlines, airport operations, retail, logistics, and more, making 2025 a prime time to join the aviation sector. Want to craft a standout application? Use our Resume Builder to showcase your skills, or explore other career paths in our career blog.

Popular Roles at Airports

Airports offer a diverse array of roles for all skill levels, with over 6,796 listings available, as seen on Jora. Here's a snapshot of the most sought-after positions in 2025:

• Airline Ground Crew: Manage check-in, boarding, and baggage with strong customer service skills.
• Customer Service Agents: Assist at airline or airport info desks, requiring excellent communication.
• Ramp Agents / Baggage Handlers: Load and unload cargo, needing physical fitness and security clearance.
• Flight Attendants: Ensure in-flight safety and service, demanding safety training and CPR certification.
• Retail and Hospitality Staff: Work in cafes, duty-free shops, or lounges with flexible hours.
• Airport Security Officers: Maintain safety, often requiring specialized training.
• Air Traffic Control Assistants: Support controllers, needing rigorous training.
• Aircraft Cleaners and Cabin Services: Maintain aircraft, ideal for entry-level candidates.
• Maintenance Technicians: Handle repairs, requiring technical expertise.
• Administrative Support Roles: Organize operations, perfect for detail-oriented individuals.

Interested in a specific aviation role? Dive into our guide on flight attendant careers or explore customer service jobs for related opportunities.

Major Airports & Hiring Airlines

Australia's major airports are hiring hubs in 2025, including:

• Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD): Serving 44.4 million passengers yearly, per Glassdoor.
• Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL): Supporting over 20,000 jobs, set to nearly double by 2038, according to Melbourne Airport.
• Brisbane Airport (BNE): A key hub for ground operations roles.
• Perth Airport (PER): Investing $5 billion in infrastructure, creating jobs, as noted on Indeed.
• Adelaide Airport (ADL): Handling 7.7 million passengers annually, per Adelaide Airport.

Top airlines hiring include:

• Qantas: Roles in ground operations and flight crew, listed on Qantas Careers.
• Virgin Australia: Openings in customer service, per Virgin Australia Jobs.
• Jetstar: Ground crew and baggage handler roles, available on Jetstar Careers.
• Rex Airlines: Regional opportunities in ground operations.
• International Airlines: Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines seek flight attendants and ground staff, per Seek.

Airport contractors and retailers also offer roles. For more on aviation careers, check our Qantas careers guide.

Requirements & Qualifications

Most airport jobs require a high school certificate or equivalent, but specific roles have additional criteria:

• Aviation Security Jobs: Need a Certificate II in Aviation Transport Protection, as per Bayside Group.
• Flight Attendants: Require safety training, CPR certification, and fluent English, per Seek.
• Baggage Handlers & Ramp Agents: Demand physical fitness and security clearance, needing an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC), as noted on Sydney Airport.
• General Requirement: ASIC eligibility involves a police/background check for secure area access.

Non-residents need valid work rights, such as a Working Holiday Visa, detailed in the Australia Work & Holiday Visa Guide. Need a resume that highlights your qualifications? Try our Resume Builder.

Average Salaries (2025)

Salaries vary by role, with full-time workers averaging AUD 100,000 annually, per the Average Salary in Australia Guide. Here's a breakdown for 2025:

Security officers at Sydney Airport earn $25.83–$49.96/hour, per Reddit. For other high-paying roles, explore high-paying jobs in Australia.

Where to Apply

Find airport jobs through:

• Airline Career Websites: Qantas Careers, Virgin Australia Jobs, Jetstar Careers.
• Airport Operator Sites: Sydney Airport, Melbourne Airport.
• Job Boards: Seek, Indeed, iWorkForNSW, APSJobs.

For government-related airport roles, see our iWorkForNSW guide or APS Jobs guide.

Tips for Non-Residents Wanting to Work at Australian Airports

Non-residents can join the aviation sector with the right preparation:

• Valid Work Rights: Secure a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) or TSS visa, costing $650 AUD, per the Australia Work & Holiday Visa Guide.
• On-Site Interviews: Be ready for in-person interviews and background checks, as noted by Bayside Group.
• English Proficiency: Strong English skills are crucial for customer service and security roles.
• Remote Prep Jobs: Start/with virtual roles to gain experience, per Reddit insights.

Explore remote work options in our remote jobs guide or virtual assistant jobs guide.

Job Outlook

Hiring is set to surge in 2025 due to rising flight demand, per the Australia Aviation Market Report. While AI may streamline some admin roles, human-focused jobs like customer service and security remain robust. Melbourne Airport projects nearly doubling its 20,000+ jobs by 2038, per Melbourne Airport. These roles offer long-term career paths or entry-level stepping stones. For other growing sectors, see our mining jobs guide.

Tips to Boost Your Chances

Stand out with these strategies:

• Highlight Key Skills: Emphasize reliability and customer service experience, valued in airport roles, per Seek.
• Flexible Shifts: Be open to early mornings, nights, and weekends, common in aviation schedules.
• Apply Early: Airlines hire in batches, so early applications are key, per Glassdoor.
• Prepare for Interviews: Group interviews and role-plays are standard, requiring practice.

Insider Reddit insights suggest starting in ground crew can lead to management roles, per Reddit. Craft a winning application with our Resume Builder or explore retail jobs for similar customer-facing roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need experience for airport jobs in Australia? Many roles, like baggage handling or retail, require no prior experience, just a high school certificate and security clearance.
• What qualifications are needed for flight attendant jobs? Flight attendants need safety training, CPR certification, fluent English, and an ASIC security clearance.
• Can non-residents work at Australian airports? Yes, with valid work rights like a Working Holiday Visa, though on-site interviews and background checks are required.
• Where can I find airport job listings? Check airline websites like Qantas Careers, airport sites like Sydney Airport, and job boards like Seek and Indeed.