Back
af gse technician 01 full width

Airforce

Ground Support Equipment Technician

Good with your hands and have an interest in motor vehicles and general engineering? As a Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Technician, you’ll have a hands-on role in maintaining a wide range of specialist vehicles, and aviation and field support equipment.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Apprenticeship trades | Engineering & Technical trades

  • Entry type

    General entry, Apprenticeships

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Location

    Varied

As a GSE Technician you’ll be a member of the ground crew, responsible for maintaining the ground-based equipment required to support military air operations, including keeping a tented camp on overseas operations running. Your duties will include the routine maintenance and repair of a large range of specialist military equipment.

Accepting Applications

  • Recruit 2/25, starts 19 May 2025 Apply by 20 Jan 2025

    Apply Now

Requirements

Basics

  • Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
  • Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.

Education

  • 3 years secondary school.

Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.

Period of Service

Your training is some of the most thorough and advanced in the world. On graduation as a GSE technician, you’ll be contractually obliged to spend another 24 months in the Air Force.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

  • Job on base

    VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

    GSE Technicians are responsible for the repair and maintenance of all of the Air Force’s specialist vehicles. You’ll be involved in the daily maintenance, fault diagnosis and rectification of a wide range of vehicles, including military aircraft loaders, aircraft tractors, refuelling and airport crash/fire trucks.

     

    GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

    Aircraft ground support equipment encompasses all equipment required to carry out aircraft maintenance activities in support of military flying operations. This equipment typically includes ground power units, hydraulic machines, and lifting equipment.

     

    REFUELLING EQUIPMENT

    GSE Technicians maintain and repair all of the Air Force’s aviation refuelling equipment to international standards. This equipment includes deployable fuel installations that hold hundreds of thousands of litres of aviation fuel for refuelling military aircraft on operations.

  • Job on deployment

    Our aircraft deploy overseas in remote locations and, when they do they need Ground Support Equipment to continue to operate. A deployed camp also needs equipment such as generators, electricity distribution, and water treatment equipment to function. As a GSE technician you will serve overseas to maintain this equipment on site. This is a crucial, hands-on role that supports military air operations, and provides great experiences at home and abroad.

Career progression and training

01Basic Training

02Trade Training

03Ongoing Training

04Specialist Training

05Career Progression

Benefits & allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

  • Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
  • Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
  • Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Free and subsidised medical and dental care
  • Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
  • Free and subsidised insurance cover
  • Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Salary & benefits

Careers in the Air Force are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

20220909 NZDF R1055140 005

Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Medical & Fitness
Air Force Application Process 20240920

The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
airforce generic base for roles

Ready to start your Air Force career?

Tūranga whaipānga

Related Roles

af aircraft tech square 03 20230224

Airforce

  • Active Intakes

Aircraft Systems Technician

Engineering & Technical trades

General entry

Do you think you could strip down an aircraft and rebuild it? With this job you’ll find out how – servicing, overhauling and maintaining all our aircraft systems and components.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

  • Location

    Varied

Safety Surface square

Airforce

  • Active Intakes

Safety & Surface Technician

Operational support

General entry

As a Safety & Surface Technician you will be responsible for keeping our aircraft and equipment in peak operational condition.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

  • Location

    Varied