Payment options

Local students

Local students enrolled in the Bachelor of Aviation or Bachelor of Aviation/Bachelor of Business will need to enrol in practicum units from the Graduate Certificate of Aviation (Piloting) to complete their flying training.

Fees for these units are not covered in the Bachelor course fees. These are an additional cost billed to the student at the point of enrolment.

A Skills Assessment Test is an entry requirement for the Bachelor of Aviation and Bachelor of Aviation/Bachelor of Business.

International students

International students enrolled in the Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting have the flying training fees included in the course fees.

HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP loans

HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP eligibility and fees vary between courses.

Local students completing the Bachelor of Aviation or Bachelor of Aviation/Bachelor of Business can defer their course fees using HECS-HELP. This is a loan available to students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place.

For domestic students completing flying training at the CAE Melbourne Flight Training within the Graduate Certificate of Aviation (Piloting), FEE-HELP can also be requested. As this is a postgraduate program there is no FEE-HELP loan fee.

International students undertaking the Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting are not eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

As of 2024, the HELP loan limit for students studying eligible aviation courses is $174,998.

Description 2024 fees (AUD)
Private Pilot Licence Practicum $28,060
Commercial Pilot Licence Practicum 1 $33,335
Commercial Pilot Licence Practicum 2 $44,275
and either
Multi Crew Cooperation and Jet Orientation Course Practicum
$11,625
or
Flight Instructor Rating Practicum
$27,325
Total practicum unit fees $117,295
(or $132,995)

These out-of-pocket expenses are not covered by FEE-HELP.

1st year additional costs
Description Estimated costs
Books (majority purchased from pilot book shop with some from CAE)

$825

Equipment (purchased from pilot book shop)

$765

Uniform (provided by CAE)

$425

CASA and Air Services publications, required to be purchased from reseller prior to relevant flying practicum

$820

Aviation Security ID card (ASIC) and Class 1 Medical, required before first flight

$820

2nd year additional costs
Description Estimated costs
Books and Air Services Publications

$1,185

3rd year additional costs
Description Estimated costs
Books and publications $920

Note: Estimates are provided as a guide only. Changes in supplier prices occur over time.

Flying training is competency based and the flying training practicum unit fees are based on minimum hours to both achieve competency and meet the regulatory licencing requirements.

Additional costs will accrue if the student requires additional flight training hours to meet the required competencies/standards

This schedule applies to students enrolled in both the Graduate Certificate of Aviation (Piloting)Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting and Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting/Bachelor of Business and covers the expected payment requirements for flying practice. Students may pay up-front at the points outlined below or via FEE-HELP (if eligible).

Current international students completing the Bachelor of Aviation or Bachelor of Aviation/Bachelor of Business are expected to pay for and complete their flying training during the same periods as local students, as set out in the schedule below.

Students completing flying training through CAE Australia Flight Training are also required to complete their training units and payments according to this schedule.

1st year
  • Semester 1 (February) payment required for AVF80001 Private Pilot Licence Practicum
2nd year
  • Semester 1 (February) payment required for AVF80002 Commercial Pilot Licence Practicum 1
  • Semester 2 (July) payment required for AVF80013 Commercial Pilot Licence Practicum 2
3rd year*
  • Semester 1 (February) payment required for AVF80005 Multi Crew Cooperation and Jet Orientation Course Practicum or AVF80006 Flight Instructor Rating Practicum

*Or 4th year for students completing a double degree with Business.

Swinburne course fees are reviewed annually. Other charges may change throughout the year where aviation industry costs change or where increases in specific industry costs occur such as fuel, parts and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) fees occur.

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