Nah, to much to read through for the casual
Also, the scope of this chat is already different as you’re looking at classification impact, like the ACF and SCC do.
My tuppence in that, is don’t conflate the two. It’s not as good. I need to make my peace with that.
AR, AS2, and AS1 are in fact different ranks. The key thing is that none of them are NCO ranks and so don’t have authority over those of junior rank.
Having said that, the process for promoting through these initial ranks (similar to the path from officer cadet to flt lt) is by reaching certain points in training (AR to AS2 on completion of phase 2) and passing tests (Professional Workplace Assessments, formerly Trade Ability Tests) for AS2 to AS1.
Once the paperwork has been processed and the promotions confirmed they are awarded by a senior officer like any other promotion; however, there are also obvious similarities with cadet classifications.
I would suggest that promotion from cdt AR to cdt AS2 should be on completion of what is currently the Class 1 syllabus and from cdt AS2 to cdt AS1 on passing what is currently the Leading exams.
Senior and Master could be recategorised as the early badges of an aviation studies PTS syllabus, leading to QAIC at gold level.
I really like this idea.
And most would perhaps say that leading cadet is preferred before promoting anyway (knowledge, time spent in the organisation).
totally 
agree