Civil Air Australia

20/10/2026

Today, 20 October, we celebrate International Day of the Air Traffic Controller. Civil Air, representing over 85% of Australian Air Traffic Controllers and Supporting Staff who perform a critical function in supporting Australia's aviation industry, is proud to honour these amazing individuals.

Air traffic control professionals manage every flight, every hour, every day. On a 24/7/365 basis, these expert professionals provide a service which keeps people safe and connects people across the world.

Thank you to every one of our members across Australia, and every one of our international colleagues and friends across the globe, who dedicate themselves to this important work day in, day out.

Today also makes the 65th birthday of IFATCA - International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations, which was founded in 1961. Over the past 65 years, IFATCA has grown to over 130 Member Associations worldwide, making IFATCA the largest international professional body representing Air Traffic Controllers.

28/09/2026

Civil Air president Scott Nugent recently spoke to 7NEWS Spotlight to discuss issues affecting Australian air traffic control.

“Air traffic controllers are critical. They’re absolutely critical assets to the system that we have. And without them, things start to fall apart.”

“You cannot keep pressuring controllers to do more and more and more instead of just giving them the resources they need to do their job.”

Workers have sounded the alarm over staff shortages and punishing overtime.

10/09/2026

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day and R U OK? Day.

The work our members do has never faced more pressure, scrutiny, or industry-wide stress. Carrying that responsibility day in and day out takes a toll, and no one should have to carry it alone.

It is okay to not be okay. Looking out for one another starts with a simple, genuine conversation. If you notice a colleague struggling, ask the question.

If you are need support yourself, please reach out. Confidential help is always available.

👥 PANPriority Peer Assistance Network: [email protected]
💼 Civil Air Office: [email protected] or (03) 9647 9100
📞 Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au

You are never on your own. Let's look after each other today and every day.

17/08/2026

"Air traffic controllers must not work by law when sick or unfit for duty or fatigued, that’s not a recommendation that is the civil aviation safety regulations and I think that’s what the public would expect,” [Civil Air president Scott Nugent] said.

“The issues that we have seen in Sydney have nothing to do with sick leave. The issues in Sydney are because there are not enough air traffic controllers on the roster. There is a reliance on overtime. There are three to four shifts each day that are vacant before anyone even calls in sick.”

“It’s a high stakes job, what we do is not an easy task,” he said.

“At the end of the day our people are just trying to do the best job they can with the resources that Airservices have given them.”

Australia’s biggest gateway is relying almost solely on air traffic controllers’ willingness to work overtime shifts due to understaffing resulting in all too frequent disruption to travellers.

12/08/2026

While air traffic controllers are entitled to unlimited sick leave under their terms of employment, Scott Nugent, the president of the air traffic controllers’ union Civil Air, says the issue “is that we do not have enough controllers just to fill the base roster before we have any sick leave at all”.

“In practice, the only way you fill the roster is with overtime, and it relies on overtime just to do business as usual,” Nugent says.

The experienced air traffic controller says workers are getting to the point where they have done so much overtime that they’re exhausted. Some staff are working 10 days on and then having one day off.

Air traffic controllers are short-staffed and exhausted – and new recruits face a difficult aptitude test and must train in Melbourne

10/08/2026

Civil Air president Scott Nugent, who is a trained air traffic controller, said staffing shortages took a heavy toll on those working on the frontline.

"What I can say is that air traffic controllers in Australia are working very hard, and for a long time they have not necessarily had the resources they need to do their jobs properly," he told the ABC.

"There aren't enough controllers in Australia."

Australian Transport Safety Bureau's Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell says pilots who avoided a near miss at Sydney Airport on Sunday morning "prevented what could have been far more serious".

02/08/2026

Thank you to all of our amazing delegates!

Representing 85% of Australia's Air Traffic Control workforce, Civil Air's delegates will always have your back.

06/07/2026

Civil Air members are offended and deeply disappointed that Airservices management continues to blame them in the media and amongst industry for poor management decisions about staffing.

Civil Air will not allow Airservices to attribute their systemic staffing problems to our members, who are working above and beyond, completing hundreds of hours of overtime each year to help dig Airservices out of their staffing shortfall, and provide a safe and efficient service to the traveling public.

Delays stretched from 30 minutes to an hour as at 9am on Sunday, though Airservices said the issues, caused by

02/07/2026

A fantastic week of advocacy at Parliament House, Canberra on behalf of Civil Air members and Australian Aviation Unions.

30/06/2026

Civil Air is thrilled to be part of this important Alliance and ensure that the voice of professional aviation workers is heard at the highest levels.

Civil Air President Scott Nugent has been in Canberra this week meeting with Government representatives and raising serious issues on behalf of our membership.