Rex Airlines Is Hiring Cabin Crew: What You Need to Know

Rex Regional Express is hiring cabin crew for Melbourne and Cairns right now. If you have been looking for a way into aviation, this is worth your full attention.

Rex does not get the same headlines as Qantas or Virgin. But in my 45 years in this industry, I have watched a lot of people start their aviation careers on regional aircraft and go on to fly long-haul for major international carriers. Rex is a legitimate, well-run airline with a genuine culture and a strong operational record. For the right person, it is an excellent first step.

Here is what you need to know about the role, the requirements, and how to get your application in front of the right people.

What Rex Cabin Crew Actually Do

Rex operates a fleet of SAAB 340 aircraft on regional routes across Australia. These are smaller turboprop planes, which means the cabin crew role is different from flying on a wide-body jet. You work as a solo crew member or in a very small team. You are not one of twelve people on an A380. You are often the only attendant on board, responsible for the entire passenger experience from pre-flight safety checks through to landing.

That sounds like a lot. It is, in the best possible way. You develop skills quickly. You handle every aspect of the service, the safety briefing, passenger care, in-flight service, managing unexpected situations. You have no one to hand things off to. The result is that Rex cabin crew tend to become genuinely capable, self-sufficient aviation professionals faster than crew on larger airlines where tasks are divided across a bigger team.

Routes include regional cities and towns across Australia, with Melbourne and Cairns as the current recruiting bases. For Melbourne-based crew, many rotations return you home the same day. For Cairns, the routes take in regional Queensland and Northern Territory destinations.

The Requirements: Who Rex Is Looking For

Rex is specific about what they want. Before you apply, check that you meet the following.

You need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. You need to hold a current passport. You must be able to obtain an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC), which requires a police security check. Any serious criminal history will prevent you from obtaining this card and you will not be eligible to work in an Australian airport.

Rex requires at least three years of secondary education completed in Australia or New Zealand, or three years of work experience in Australia or New Zealand within the last five years. This is worth reading carefully. If you completed school overseas or have been based internationally for several years, check whether you meet this requirement before applying.

The physical requirements are straightforward. You need to be able to reach the overhead storage bins, which effectively sets a minimum height requirement. You must be fit for duty and able to perform safety-critical functions including assisting with emergency evacuations. A current First Aid certificate is an advantage, though Rex provides training for successful candidates.

Rex does not require prior aviation experience. They are explicit about this. They train their crew from the ground up. What they do require is a genuine willingness to look after people and the personal qualities that support that. Customer service experience in any industry is valued, but the emphasis is on attitude and character as much as formal qualifications.

Why Regional Is Worth Taking Seriously

I want to address something I hear often from aspiring flight attendants. Some candidates dismiss regional airlines because the aircraft are smaller or the routes are less glamorous. I understand the impulse, but I think it misses the point of what early aviation experience actually does for your career.

When you fly regionally, you develop confidence faster. You learn to manage the cabin on your own, read passengers quickly, and make decisions without waiting for someone senior to guide you. You build a track record in aviation that every major airline values when you later apply for a domestic or international role.

I have coached candidates who spent two or three years with Rex or other regional carriers and then moved into Qantas or Virgin roles with applications that stood apart from the competition. Their experience showed. They did not just talk about wanting to work in aviation. They had done it. That matters enormously to recruitment teams.

Rex also offers a pathway into the Qantas Group in some cases, given their operational partnerships. Starting regional is not a consolation prize. For many people, it is the smartest move they can make.

What the Rex Application Process Looks Like

Rex recruits through their careers page at careers.rex.com.au. Applications are submitted online with a current resume and cover letter. There is no walk-in open day format for Rex. You apply, they screen, and if you are shortlisted you will be invited to an assessment day.

The assessment process typically includes a group exercise, individual interview, and practical checks. For cabin crew specifically, you should expect questions that test your customer service instincts, your composure under pressure, and your understanding of why you want to work in aviation. Rex wants people who are genuinely motivated by the regional aviation context, not people who see this as a placeholder while they wait for a Qantas role to open up. Be honest about your reasons for applying and make sure those reasons are specific to Rex.

Grooming and presentation standards at Rex are professional. Come to any assessment day or interview dressed neatly, conservatively, and ready to be assessed from the moment you walk through the door. The assessment begins before you sit down for the formal interview. That is true of every airline, and Rex is no different.

How to Make Your Application Stand Out

Rex receives a meaningful volume of applications when they advertise cabin crew roles. The candidates who get shortlisted are not necessarily the most experienced. They are the ones whose applications are specific, well-presented, and honest about why Rex is the right fit for them.

In your cover letter, address why you want to fly regionally. What appeals to you about the SAAB 340 operation? What does working as a solo crew member mean to you? Show that you have thought about this beyond the surface level. Recruiters can tell the difference between someone who has researched the airline and someone who sent the same cover letter to ten different carriers.

In your resume, highlight customer service experience, teamwork, and any situations where you have worked independently and made good decisions under pressure. If you have a current First Aid or CPR certificate, include it. If you do not, book a course this week. It costs very little and signals to Rex that you take the role seriously.

If your resume is not already tailored for a cabin crew application, my Interview Preparation Manual includes guidance on structuring your application for Australian airlines at every level. The coaching sessions I offer are also available for candidates applying to regional airlines, not just the major carriers.

This Opening Will Not Last Long

Rex is actively recruiting for both Melbourne and Cairns bases right now. In my experience, regional cabin crew roles fill quickly when they are advertised. The pool of candidates who meet Rex's specific requirements is smaller than for Qantas or Virgin, but so is the number of positions available.

If this role suits your situation, apply today. Do not sit on it. Get your resume current, write a cover letter that speaks directly to what Rex is looking for, and submit your application while the listing is live.

If you want to talk through your application or prepare for the interview, get in touch with me through the ReachFTS contact page. I know what regional airline recruiters are looking for, and I am happy to help you put your best foot forward.

Denise Burns has worked in aviation for over 45 years and has coached hundreds of candidates into cabin crew roles across Australian and international airlines. She runs ReachFTS, a specialist flight attendant training and coaching service based in Australia.