If you’ve ever travelled by air, there’s a good chance you’ve already met someone from the Aviation Security Service. The role AvSec plays in aviation security goes far beyond basic bag checks. In 2022–23:
26.5m
Bags screened
11.9m
Passengers screened
1,383
AvSec team members
The number of passengers and bags we screen every year is rising, and global threats to security are rapidly evolving. Because of this, our team of aviation security officers is growing and the way we do our job ever-changing.
Aviation security officers take pride in their work. Making sure passengers and airline crew are going to be safe during their flights is an awesome responsibility that we take immense satisfaction in fulfilling.
We’ll train you thoroughly before you take your place on our team, and we’ll provide you with continual learning to help you keep pace with a complex and constantly changing security environment.
Competitive employment conditionsAvSec offers:
Our purpose is to protect aviation, but we can’t do this without people like you! Check out our video to see if you want to be a part of a diverse team with real career opportunities.
To be considered for a career with AvSec, you must meet the following pre-requisites:
Due to the requirements of the role those with colour vision deficiencies, recent serious injuries, or criminal convictions will not be considered.
Check out our careers page(external link) to see what positions we are accepting applications for!
AvSec operate at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill airports.
The salary of our employee’s varies depending on the role, but all AvSec positions follow a progression criterion, meaning your pay is likely to increase along with your experience.
Aviation Security Officers and Behavioural Detection Officers have a starting base salary of $72,187 per annum.
Load assistants have a starting base rate of approx $26.46 per hour.
All salaries are pro-rated where hours are part-time.
If you are a resident, you can apply regardless of how long you have held residency for.
For most roles at AvSec you will not need a driver's licence, but if you become an Aviation Security Officer, you will need a current and full New Zealand driver's licence by the time you start the role. Role requirements will be detailed in the application form and job advertisement.
If you are currently on a restricted driver's licence and are eligible to sit your full licence, please continue with the application process. If successful, we can stagger your start date until you obtain your full licence.
There is no age restriction for AvSec employees, but our Aviation Security Officers need to have a full driver’s licence by the time they start, and they're usually 18 by the time they've completed the driver's licence process.
Ideally our employees reflect the population we serve, so we welcome applicants of all ages.
The Clean Slate Act 2004 does not apply for AvSec operational applicants. Candidates applying for security-based roles are subject to an exception level check.
If you are applying for an administrative or load assistant role, you will be vetted under the Clean Slate Act.
Driving can be a component of the roles here at AvSec and we require that applicants have a clean, full licence. We can exercise discretion for applicants with minor historical criminal convictions. Please discuss with your recruiter.
Applicants with colour vision deficiencies cannot be considered at this time. Our medical standards are currently being reviewed, so please check back here in the future.
We ask applicants to wait 12 months before re-applying unless there has been a significant change in circumstances.
Applicants with COA are welcome to apply and include that information as part of their application.
No qualifications or specific experience required to join AvSec. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.
You’ll need a New Zealand residency and New Zealand driver's licence before applying. Because we have our own training standards, you will still need to undergo AvSec training if you are successful at the recruitment stage.
The Authority strongly encourages and supports all our people to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, however our current policy position is that vaccination is not a requirement for employment in this role. Please note that the Authority may, if needed, introduce a vaccination requirement for managing an epidemic.
To apply, you need to register on our careers portal and upload a CV. You can also sign up for job alerts through our careers portal if we do not have a suitable vacancy right now.
Former Aviation Security Officers are welcome to re-apply. Note that you will be subject to the same recruitment process as other applicants.
We have different processes for different roles; however, they all start with you applying through our careers portal. You will then be contacted by a recruiter about the next steps.
Yes. Please contact us at recruitment@avsec.govt.nz and a recruiter will be in touch with you.
We have different training processes for different roles at AvSec. Most roles require you to take part in practical training, which can be located across New Zealand.
If you are selected to take part and need to travel for training, flights and accommodation are provided.
For Aviation Security Officers, the classroom training takes six weeks and is located in either Christchurch or Auckland. This training will be done in addition to on-job experience in our operation. Once you have completed this training, you will obtain NZQA Level 4 qualification.
Find out our Basic Training Course Overview [PDF 290 KB]
The shift pattern is typically six days on and three days off, or four days on two days off. The shift sequence you would follow depends on the station you are employed at (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown or Dunedin).
There are usually three shift types:
The standard full-time shift is eight and a half hours per day and part-time hours will vary depending on your location, but there is a minimum of three hours per shift.
You can be required to work split shifts at Dunedin Airport.
To apply, you need to register on our careers portal, and upload a cover letter and CV. You can sign up for job alerts there too, if we don't have a suitable vacancy right now. Learn more about the Explosive Detector Dog Handler role here: Explosive Detector Dog Unit(external link).
There is a wide variety of progression opportunities available at AvSec! We are a large organisation with many opportunities for career progression.
Our Load Assistant or Aviation Security Officer positions are a great place to build your career in aviation security. We also offer positions such as Explosive Detector Dog Handlers, Behavioural Detection Officers and a lot of opportunities to step up into leadership roles.
We do have part-time contracts. The hours would depend on which airport you were based. We do not offer casual hours.
Our values guide how we work and the behaviours we expect from each other. You'll join a professional working environment where our staff feel respected, safe, included and empowered to perform their roles.
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Our values are: - Collaboration – Me mahi tahi - Transparency – Me mahi pono - Integrity – Me mahi tika - Respect – Me manaaki - Professionalism – Kia tū rangatira ai |
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