This qualification is applicable to employees of Aircraft Maintenance Organisations (AMOs) or specialist aircraft surface finishing organisations who are involved in the stripping of old finishes and in the preparation of aircraft and aircraft component surfaces for the application of paint and other specialist surface finishes. A limited range of component removal and installation tasks related to surface finishing tasks may also be performed.

The units of competency in this qualification are a mix of common units that are applicable to all employment streams at the Certificate II level, structures technical stream units that relate to aircraft surface finishing and minor repairs, and a mechanical technical stream unit that provides an option for multiskilling.

The qualification provides a significant number of credits towards surface finishing qualifications at Certificate III and IV levels. The common units also provide credit towards other Aeroskills qualifications, and the elective units would count towards a MEA20418 Certificate II in Aeroskills.

This qualification applies to workplaces that operate under the airworthiness regulatory systems of the Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Any regulatory/licensing requirements associated with any MEA units of competency must be met.