Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) Courses

Southpac Aerospace offers SMS, risk management, safety investigation,
fatigue risk and
emergency response training for aviation organisations across Australia, New Zealand
and the Asia-Pacific.

Southpac Aerospace provides one of the most comprehensive Aviation Safety Management Systems training programs in the region, with course options designed to support aviation organisations at every stage of SMS maturity.

Our Aviation SMS training ranges from introductory programs through to a comprehensive 5-day Aviation Safety Management Systems Course, helping participants understand the role and requirements of an SMS while also developing the practical skills needed to implement, maintain and improve the system on a day-to-day basis.

Whether you are a small maintenance organisation, regional operator, aerodrome, charter provider or large airline, Southpac can customise SMS training to meet your operational context, regulatory environment and organisational priorities. In-house programs can be tailored to focus on SMS implementation, ongoing system maintenance, risk management, auditing, investigation protocols, leadership responsibilities, safety reporting, problem areas, or real-world case studies using your organisation’s own policies, procedures and de-identified safety data.

Australian RTO 32353 | Aviation-specific training provider | Nationally recognised in-house aerodrome training | ISO 9001:2015 certified |Australian RTO 32353 | Aviation-specific training provider | Nationally recognised in-house aerodrome training | ISO 9001:2015 certified |

Compare Aviation SMS Courses

Use the table below to compare Southpac Aerospace’s SMS training options by audience, delivery method, outcome and operational focus. For tailored advice, contact Southpac to discuss the right course for your team.

Course Best for Delivery Outcome / Recognition Key Topics
Aviation SMS Course Safety managers, accountable managers, safety officers and aviation professionals responsible for developing or improving an SMS Regularly scheduled Virtual dates (via Zoom) AVIF0026, AVIF0028, optional BSBOPS504; contributes to Diploma of Aviation Management and more SMS principles, ICAO Annex 19, ICAO Doc 9859, CASA requirements, safety policy, risk management, safety assurance, safety promotion, SMS implementation and continuous improvement
SMS for Aviation Managers Course Accountable persons, team leaders, supervisors and managers who need to understand SMS responsibilities without attending the full SMS course In-house only, by arrangement Practical SMS leadership and management capability SMS structure, management commitment, roles and responsibilities, human factors, safety culture, SMS components and elements, safety leadership
Risk Management Course Aviation teams responsible for identifying, assessing and controlling operational or organisational risk In-house only, by arrangement Practical aviation risk management capability Hazard identification, risk assessment, risk controls, ISO 31000, ICAO Annex 19, CASA Part 139 MOS, operational risk, organisational risk, risk treatment and SMS integration
Implement Aviation Risk Management Processes Individuals working towards the Certificate III in Aviation (Aerodrome Operations) Online, self-paced AVIF0026 Implement Aviation Risk Management Processes Aviation risk management processes, identifying hazards, assessing risk, controlling aviation risk, monitoring risk controls, reviewing effectiveness within an SMS
Fatigue Risk Management Course Aviation personnel responsible for identifying, controlling or reviewing fatigue-related operational risk Online, self-paced AVIF0027 Implement aviation fatigue risk management processes; contributes to AVI50119 Diploma of Aviation (Aviation Management) Fatigue as an aviation hazard, fatigue risk management processes, fatigue monitoring, reviewing process effectiveness, CASA requirements, managing fatigue risk within a Safety Management System
Safety Investigators Course Safety investigators, safety assurance personnel, managers and operational leaders involved in incident investigation Regularly scheduled Virtual dates (via Zoom); face-to-face available for in-house group training only BSBWHS515 Lead initial response to and investigate WHS incidents Systems-based investigation, initial response, occurrence notification, data collection, sequence of events, ICAM, risk management, investigation reporting and safety improvement
Emergency Response Plan Course Aviation organisations that need to prepare, test or improve emergency response capability In-house only, by arrangement Practical emergency response planning and exercise capability Emergency risk management, emergency response planning, incident action planning, command and control, emergency exercises, exercise design, stakeholder engagement and preparedness
Manage Disruptive Behaviour Course Aviation personnel who need to manage disruptive behaviour, unlawful interference, passenger behaviour or aviation security-related operational risks Online, self-paced AVIO0017 Manage disruptive behaviour and unlawful interference with aviation; contributes to AVI50119 Diploma of Aviation (Aviation Management) Monitoring passenger behaviour, identifying disruptive or unlawful interference, responding to unlawful interference, reporting and documenting events, aviation non-technical skills and CASA regulatory requirements

Which SMS Course Should I Choose?

Choosing the right SMS training depends on your role, current experience and the type of work you perform.
Use the guide below to identify the most suitable Southpac Aerospace course for your team.

Choose the Aviation SMS Course if…

You need a comprehensive understanding of SMS structure, implementation, assurance and continuous improvement.

Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Choose SMS for Aviation Managers if…

Your leadership team needs a shorter, organisation-specific understanding of SMS responsibilities, safety leadership and management commitment.

SMS for Aviation Managers Course

Choose Risk Management course if…

Your team needs practical tools for identifying hazards, assessing risk, designing controls and integrating risk management into your SMS.

Risk Management Course

Choose Implement Aviation Risk Management Processes if…

You need a self-paced online unit focused on aviation risk management processes.

Implement Aviation Risk Management Processes

Choose Fatigue Risk Management if…

You need to understand fatigue as an aviation hazard and how fatigue risk management processes fit within an SMS.

Fatigue Risk Management Course

Choose Safety Investigators Course if…

Your role involves investigating incidents, near misses or safety events as part of safety assurance.

Safety Investigators Course

Choose Emergency Response Plan Course if…

Your organisation needs to build, test or improve emergency response plans and exercises.

Emergency Response Plan Course

Choose Manage Disruptive Behaviour if…

Your role involves managing passenger behaviour, disruptive conduct, unlawful interference, aviation security-related risks or complex operational situations that require clear reporting, documentation and response procedures.

Manage Disruptive Behaviour Course

Aviation SMS Course Options

Southpac Aerospace's Aviation SMS course includes essential safety concepts required for Safety Management systems.

Aviation SMS Course

Comprehensive 5-day SMS course covering ICAO Annex 19, ICAO Doc 9859, SMS components, risk management, safety assurance and safety promotion.

The night sky from the aeroplanes cockpit window hights the need for aviation managers to understand how SMS benefits an airline.

SMS for Aviation Managers Course

2-day in-house course for accountable persons, team leaders and supervisors who need to understand SMS responsibilities, management commitment and safety leadership.

Pilots navigating through the clouds benefit from a high-level understanding of fatigue management taught in Southpac's Fatigue Risk Management course.

Fatigue Risk Management Course

Comprehensive online course covering fatigue as an aviation hazard and fatigue risk management processes within an SMS.

Develop knowledge of risk management in aviation

Risk Management Course

2-day in-house course covering ISO 31000, ICAO Annex 19, aviation safety frameworks, risk registers, bow-tie analysis, risk treatments and SMS integration.

A fire engine extinguishes a plane while exercising an emergency plan during Southpac’s Emergency Response Plan Course facilitated by Phoenix Resilience.

Emergency Response Plan Course

2-day in-house course covering emergency risk management, emergency response planning and emergency exercises.

Implement Aviation Risk Management Processes

Online course covering practical aviation risk management processes within an SMS.

Aircrew aboard a full passenger plane benefit from the knowledge & skills they gained during Southpac's online Manage Disruptive Behaviour and Unlawful Interference with Aviation Course

Manage Disruptive Behaviour Course

Develop the skills to identify, respond to and report disruptive behaviour and unlawful interference in aviation environments through this self-paced online course.

Safety investigators use their skills learnt from Southpac's Safety Investigators course to investigate a serious aviation accident

Safety Investigators Course

4-day course covering systems-based investigation, incident analysis, ICAM and safety assurance improvement. Includes a full practice safety investigation within the course.

CASA Regulatory Context for Aviation SMS Training

In Australia, aviation Safety Management Systems are shaped by CASA regulatory requirements and guidance, as well as international safety management principles. Southpac’s Aviation SMS training helps aviation organisations understand how SMS requirements apply in practice, including safety policy, safety risk management, safety assurance, safety promotion, hazard reporting, risk controls, safety responsibilities and continuous improvement. Courses can also be customised to align with your organisation’s CASA obligations, operational approvals, manuals, procedures, audit protocols, safety reporting processes and risk management framework.

Inside a small airplane cockpit, two men are engaged in flying, surrounded by various flight control instruments.

Nationally Recognised Training and Diploma Pathways

Southpac Aerospace offers interconnected diploma pathways for aviation, safety, quality, auditing and management professionals. SMS-related units may support progression toward:

The most suitable pathway will depend on your role, existing qualifications, previous units completed, recognition of prior learning, credit transfer eligibility and the combination of courses selected. Southpac can help participants and organisations identify which SMS, risk, auditing, leadership or management courses best align with their training goals.

Statements of Attainment and Assessment

Where a course includes nationally recognised units, participants must successfully complete the required assessment activities to receive a Statement of Attainment. Some courses may also include post-course projects or online assessments that need to be completed after the classroom or live virtual component.

For organisations booking in-house SMS training, Southpac can also discuss how nationally recognised outcomes, practical workshops and customised content can be combined to support both compliance requirements and long-term workforce capability.

Why Study SMS with Southpac Aerospace?

Registered Training Organisation

Southpac Aerospace is an Australian Registered Training Organisation, delivering nationally recognised aviation training designed to support professional development, compliance capability and practical workplace application.

Asia-Pacific Experience

With experience supporting aviation organisations across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region, Southpac understands the diverse operational environments and regulatory expectations faced by the aviation industry.

Aviation Specialists

Our courses are developed and delivered by aviation specialists who understand the operational, regulatory and safety challenges faced by airlines, aerodromes, maintenance organisations and aviation service providers.

Industry Facilitators

Southpac facilitators bring real-world aviation experience into the classroom, using practical examples, case studies and workplace-focused activities to help participants apply what they learn.

What our clients say about Southpac’s SMS courses

“Fabulous Aviation Safety Management System training. Informative and trainer was very knowledgeable and impressive. Added great value to Western Sydney Airport capability and learning.”

Liza James, Western Sydney International Airport

“This course was excellent. It met all the objectives and gave me a great grounding in SMS. Travis really knew his stuff, very engaging and presented with excellent knowledge and related it to the real world experiences.”

Ron Stephenson, Airbus Australia Pacific

“Matt was an excellent facilitator – knowledgeable, engaging, trustworthy and helpful. He made a dry topic interesting and covered the broad range of pre-existing knowledge very well. The focus on assurance and how I can test / review my SMS to ensure my organization has covered everything it should.”

Katie Cooper, Safety Manager | Melbourne Airport

“Everything in my understanding of SMS has vastly improved because of the detailed content and delivery of this course. Matt was key to how much information I was able to process and understand. His knowledge and expertise was amazing and made the course enjoyable!”

Brendan Munro, Hinterland Aviation

Was worried how the virtual class would go, but with the breakout rooms and professional work done by Matt, the course went seamlessly and I really enjoyed it!

Aviation SMS FAQs

Aviation Safety Management Systems training helps aviation professionals understand how to implement, maintain and improve an SMS. It typically covers safety policy, safety risk management, safety assurance, safety promotion, hazard reporting, risk controls, safety responsibilities and continuous improvement.

The 5-day Aviation SMS Course is the most comprehensive option for safety managers, safety officers or other internal assurance roles. SMS for Aviation Managers is better suited to accountable managers, team leaders and supervisors who need a shorter management-focused course.

Accountable managers and senior leaders may benefit from SMS for Aviation Managers if they need a practical understanding of SMS responsibilities, safety leadership, management commitment and organisational safety culture. Those who require deeper operational knowledge may choose the full Aviation SMS Course.

Yes. Southpac’s Aviation SMS courses are designed to help aviation organisations understand and apply Safety Management System principles within relevant regulatory jurisdictions, including the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Australian Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA), the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA NZ) and other National Regulations and associated guidance where relevant.

Yes. Southpac’s SMS training is suitable for a wide range of aviation organisations, including small maintenance organisations, aerodromes, regional operators, charter providers, airlines and larger aviation groups.

Yes. Southpac can customise in-house SMS training using your organisation’s policies, procedures, risk management processes, audit protocols, investigation processes, de-identified safety reports, incidents and operational case studies. Custom workshops can also focus on specific SMS problem areas or areas of organisational concern.

Some SMS-related courses are available online and self-paced, including Implement Aviation Risk Management Processes, Fatigue Risk Management and Manage Disruptive Behaviour. Other courses are delivered through our Virtual classroom, or face-to-face as in-house training for organisations.

The Aviation SMS Course is a comprehensive 5-day course for people who need detailed SMS knowledge and practical implementation skills. SMS for Aviation Managers is a shorter management-focused course designed for leaders who need to understand SMS responsibilities, safety leadership and management commitment without completing the full SMS program.

Selected Southpac SMS and SMS-related courses include nationally recognised units of competency. Where applicable, participants who successfully complete the required assessments will receive a Statement of Attainment for the relevant unit or units.

Yes. Selected SMS-related units contribute to Southpac Diploma pathways, depending on the course completed, and the chosen qualification pathway. Relevant pathways may include the AVI50119 Diploma of Aviation (Aviation Management), BSB50920 Diploma of Quality Auditing and BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management.

Yes. SMS training can be packaged with complementary courses in areas such as aviation risk management, internal auditing, quality management systems, management and leadership, work health and safety, fatigue risk management, emergency response planning and safety investigation.

Discuss SMS Training for Your Organisation

Southpac can customise Aviation SMS training to align with your organisation’s procedures, risk framework, audit protocols, safety reports and operational priorities.