Overview

The Graduate Certificate of Aviation Piloting is a professional pilot course beyond the minimum specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. To commence this course, students must be co-enrolled in either the BA of Aviation or BA of Aviation / BA of Business double degree. Students will learn analytical and practical skills that enable them to provide solutions to non-ambiguous and novel complex flight scenarios. Those who graduate will be qualified to fly aircrafts in either the charter, or regular public transport airline sectors.

View Graduate Certificate of Aviation (Piloting) course handbook
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Upgrade your skills

  • Achieve either the rating qualification of Flight Instructor or achieve successful completion of a Multi Crew Cooperation Course
  • Achieve the licencing qualification of Commercial Pilot (Aeroplane)
  • Achieve the rating qualification of Instrument Rating Command Multi Engine Aeroplane
  • Apply theoretical and practical skills as a professional pilot

Stretch your career further

  • Apply knowledge and skills beyond the minimum specified in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Part 61 Manual of Standards to achieve the licencing qualification of Commercial Pilot (Aeroplane)
  • Apply knowledge and skills beyond the minimum as specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to achieve either the rating qualification of Flight Instructor or achieve successful completion of a Multi Crew Cooperation Course
  • Apply knowledge and skills beyond the minimum as specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to achieve the rating qualification of Instrument Rating Command Multi Engine Aeroplane

Key codes

International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Strong industry connections and co-creation

  • Qantas
  • Jetstar Airways

Why Swinburne?

86.1% of graduates found employment within 4 months of completing their course

$30,000 aviation scholarship awarded annually

Aviation education leader for more than more than 30 years

Qualifications

Enrolment into the Graduate Certificate of Aviation (Piloting) is through the FSET Student Administration Office. Please do not submit a 'Direct Entry' Application. Only students admitted into the Bachelor of Aviation are eligible to apply.

Applicants must have been admitted into either:

  • BA-AV Bachelor of Aviation or,
  • BB-AVBUS Bachelor of Aviation / Bachelor of Business

*and meet the admission requirements of those courses.

It should be noted that the aviation regulator (ie CASA) may require a different English language requirement for licence issue.

Enrolment in the program, and the continuation of such, is dependent on continuing active enrolment (if units are available in the semester) in either of the above Aviation Bachelor degree courses.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Other requirements

Medical requirements

Applicants will be required to meet the requirements of a Class 1 medical examination as regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for holders of a Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane).

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate of Aviation (Piloting), students must complete four units (50 credit points) minimum, comprising:

  • 3 core Aviation Practical Studies units (37.5 credit points)
  • 1 elective Aviation Practical Studies unit minimum (at least 12.5 credit points), with the option of undertaking additional electives from this group

Additionally, units of study from the Optional Additional Aviation Practical Studies may be undertaken to address substandard competency standards at the completion of the allocated training hours.

The course is designed to be completed part-time over a three year period when undertaken concurrently with either of the bachelor courses. Total student contact hours, including on-ground briefings and flying practicums will vary in different semesters.

3
Core units
+
1
Elective units
=
Graduate certificate

Note: Students must maintain an active enrolment in either the Bachelor of Aviation or Bachelor of Aviation/Bachelor of Business. It is expected that students (on completion of both their Bachelor degree and Graduate Certificate) will graduate simultaneously from both courses.

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Private Pilot Licence Practicum
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVF80001
Commercial Pilot Licence Practicum 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVF80002
Commercial Pilot Licence Practicum 2
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVF80013
Multi Crew Cooperation and Jet Orientation Course Practicum
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
AVF80005
Flight Instructor Rating Practicum
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
AVF80006

Note: Students have an elective choice of either AFV80005 & AVF80006.

Units of study Unit code
Private Pilot Licence Additional Practicum
Optional unit, 12.5 credit points
AVF80007
Commercial Pilot Licence Additional Practicum
Optional unit, 12.5 credit points
AVF80008
Multi Crew Cooperation Additional Practicum
Optional unit, 12.5 credit points
AVF80010
Flight Instructor Rating Additional Practicum
Optional unit, 12.5 credit points
AVF80022
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

External

Total fee* ($AUD)

External

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

How do I pay my fees?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Finances
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
  • are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
  • have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
     

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
GC-AVPIL
Search for agents

Apply directly

Please do not submit a 'Direct Entry' Application.

Students admitted into the Bachelor of Aviation or Bachelor of Aviation/ Bachelor of Business (BB-AVBUS2) will receive a letter of offer into this course at the time of enrolment.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
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