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⌂ ▸ Engineer Training ▸ Diploma of Aeroskills

Diploma of Aeroskills

The higher-level Aeroskills qualification
most aircraft engineers associate with licensing

Important distinction: the diploma is often the training vehicle for a B1 or B2 pathway. It is not, by itself, the licence.

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What is the Diploma of Aeroskills? No, the diploma is not the licence Mechanical and Avionics streams Workplace delivery or RPL and gap training Who should actually do it Related pathways Next step

Higher-level qualification

What is the Diploma of Aeroskills?

In aviation, people often say “you need the diploma to get the licence.” That is close enough for hangar talk, but not precise enough to plan your training around.

The usual qualification behind B1 and B2 training

For many engineers, the diploma is the nationally recognised qualification used to package the higher-level units that sit above the Cert IV and line up to a licence stream.

Not the licence itself

CASA licensing still depends on the right units of compency, the right exams and the right experience – all specified in CASA Part 66 Manual of Standards. The diploma sits in the VET system. The licence sits in Part 66.

Not one generic course

Mechanical can be built to four different B1 subcategories. Avionics aligns to B2. The stream matters.

Not everyone needs a diploma – just units

If you already have the skills and experience, the better answer may be RPL and gap training with a specific licence-stream pathway rather than a full workplace diploma – unless you have a need for an AQF qual to hang on a wall.

Still useful beyond licensing

Some engineers want the diploma for formal recognition, management progression, or articulation credit into further study.

No, the diploma is not the licence

It is the qualification people talk about. The licence outcome is a separate regulatory outcome.

The Part 66 MOS is written around AQF units of competency (assessed under the VET ‘competency’ method), CASA knowledge modules (assessed under a ‘sampling’ GPA method) and practical experience. Under the Part 147 pathway, the training organisation assesses the applicable Aeroskills units, and the engineer still sits the relevant basic knowledge module exams through Sigma (invigilated online face-to-face). That is why “do the diploma and get the licence” is sloppy shorthand – plus, certain diploma streams don’t include all the right units the MOS specifies, hence why we argue semantics here.

For some people, the diploma is the right way to package the higher-level units in a workplace or traineeship pathway. For others, especially experienced engineers, the smarter move is targeted RPL and gap training against the exact licence stream they want.

Ask the real question first: are you chasing a qualification, a licence, or both?

Explore Diploma Courses
The course fee was extremely well priced and came with no surprise fees.
I was wanting to go to university and after having completed my Cert IV, thought I would return to my original training provider to RPL into a Diploma so I could get additional transfer credits for my study. After contacting Sigma, they quickly replied, even well after work hours – Bruce and Nick from Sigma (who were extremely knowledgable). The course fee was extremely well priced and came with no surprise fees. While all companies need to make profit, I felt that Sigma had a genuine vested interest in my career development and that the course fee was just to “keep the lights on”. I never felt like another number, or cash-grab to wring dry.
John – Jetfix Avionics Toowoomba

The streams

Two diplomas. Five common conversations.

When people search for “Diploma of Aeroskills”, they are usually talking about one of these two qualifications. Ask which stream fits your target licence

MEA50219 Diploma of Aeroskills (Mechanical)
This is the diploma used in B1 licensing conversations.
B1.1 and B1.2
Fixed wing mechanical streams split between aeroplane turbine and aeroplane piston.
B1.3 and B1.4
Rotary mechanical streams split between helicopter turbine and helicopter piston.
MEA50118 Diploma of Aeroskills (Avionics)
This is the diploma aligned to the B2 licensing pathway.
Why unit maps matter
The MOS is unit-based, and in some areas it allows one unit or an alternative unit depending on stream. That is why Sigma offers streams with the actual units required, not just the qualification title.

Two ways to do it with Sigma

Workplace delivery if you want the full qualification. RPL and gap training if you already know the job.

Workplace delivery suits engineers building the higher-level units in a structured way after the right Cert IV base, usually inside a traineeship or employer-supported pathway. It is the best fit when you want the full qualification, staged support, and a clean progression model built around live maintenance.

RPL and gap training suits experienced engineers with 2+ years experience who already have the skills and exposure, but need those skills recognised against the Australian outcome. That includes working AMEs, Defence engineers, and experienced overseas engineers.

Explore Licences

Who should actually do the Diploma?

Three groups usually get real value from it.

First, engineers moving up from the Cert IV who want a structured B1 or B2 workplace delivery pathway – like a traineeship.

Second, experienced engineers who never got the higher-level qualification and want formal recognition without wasting time repeating what they can already prove.

Third, engineers who already have a licence path underway but need the diploma for management progression, company requirements, or university articulation.

This page is about the Mechanical and Avionics diplomas used in Part 66 conversations. If your question is really “how do I get my licence?”, go to the licence page. If your question is “how do I turn what I already know into the right outcome?”, go to RPL and gap training.

Aircraft Engineer Licence (CASA)

Aircraft Engineer Licence

Understand how units, exams and experience fit together in the Part 66 pathway.

View the licence page

RPL Process for Aircraft Engineers

See how Sigma maps existing skills and only sets the real gaps – available for engineers with 2+ years experience on aircraft.

View the RPL process

Certificate IV in Aeroskills

The trade base most engineers start from before moving into higher-level streams.

View the Certificate IV

Apprenticeships & Traineeships

Workplace path from Cert IV into later licence-aligned training.

View apprenticeships

Licence Conversions

For overseas engineers who may need straight recognition or the VET diploma path.

View licence conversions

CASA Part 66 Examinations

See how the exams fit once the unit and experience base is in place.

View Part 66 exams

Not sure whether you need the diploma, the licence page, or RPL?
Tell us what you already hold, what aircraft you work on, and what outcome you actually want. We’ll point you to the shortest, most compliant path.
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