Overview

The Bachelor of Aviation will equip you for a professional career as a commercial pilot. Train at CAE Melbourne Flight Training (Moorabbin) to gain your:

  • Commercial Pilot Licence
  • Multi-engine Command Instrument Rating
  • Multi Crew Cooperation and Jet Orientation Course or Flight Instructor Rating
  • Frozen Air Transport Pilot Licence


Study theory required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, plus learn about aviation human factors, management and technology.

Is your course available for Midyear entry?

Starting midyear means getting your study goals under way before the year is over. Semester 2 begins Monday 29 July, 2024.

Your industry experience

Build up your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning program, which is guaranteed in all our bachelor degrees. In this degree, you’ll work on four projects based on real problems faced by the aviation industry and organisations such as Qantas and Melbourne Airport.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Professional piloting
  • Safety risk management
  • Human factors understanding
  • Teamwork under pressure
  • Adaptability and resilience
  • Professional workplace skills

Your career opportunities

  • Professional pilot

Key codes

VTAC Code (CSP)
3400234511
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.

Professional accreditations

Why Swinburne?

A leader in aviation education for more than more than 30 years

  • "Swinburne is the best option for aviation if you want to get your pilot training and a degree. You get all the qualifications required to work for an airline. It's such a cool thing to be 18 years old and able to fly yourself from Melbourne to New South Wales."

    Josh , Bachelor of Aviation

Qualifications

One of the following:

  • successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
  • completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).

ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score

RC

You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.

If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements. 

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

Course prerequisites

  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent 
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any Mathematics or equivalent 


Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne’s MathsLink Methods bridging program.

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.

Other requirements

Prior to selection, all shortlisted candidates are required to complete a skills assessment test (SAT) facilitated by CAE Australia Flight Training at Moorabbin Airport.

It is a computer-based aptitude test consisting of psychometric testing, hand-eye coordination, motor skills, spatial awareness, ability to manage a dynamic environment, and personality type. SAT sessions will be held prior and during the selection round. A non-refundable fee is payable prior to taking the test.

Although not an entry requirement, students must also satisfy the statutory Class 1 medical requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority if undertaking practical flying training to commercial level. 

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.

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.

Apply for a pathway course

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.

Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.

How credit points work

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Aviation requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

10
Core units
+
8
Major units
+
6
Elective units
=
3-year bachelor degree

What your course could look like

Units are listed in a proposed sequence. However this can be amended depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
The Global Aviation System
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA10001
Aviation Legal and Regulatory Framework
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA10010
Essential Aviation Analytical Skills
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA10011
Private Pilot Licence Theory
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVT10005
Semester 2
Airline Business Strategy
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA10012
Aviation Project: Blue Sky Ideas
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA10014
Commercial Pilot Licence Theory 1
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVT10006
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Want to see the full range of electives?

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

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Airline Operations Management
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA20022
Aviation Safety and Risk Management
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA20023
Commercial Pilot Licence Theory 2
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVT20003
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
Aviation Project: Managing Implementation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA20024
Air Transport Pilot Licence Theory 1
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVT30003
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Aviation Capstone 1: Project Planning
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA30008
Air Transport Pilot Licence Theory 2
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVT30004
Advanced Aviation Analytics and Research Skills
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA30005
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
Aviation Capstone 2: Project Implementation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA30009
Air Transport Pilot Licence Theory 3
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVT30002
Future Aviation Technologies and Operational Concepts
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
AVA30006
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$8,948

Total fee* ($AUD)

$26,844

2024 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 to 2024 unit enrolments for HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) 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 only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

Flying training fees

Additional fees and costs are applicable to the flying training (practicum) units that form part of this course. You should take these flying training fees into account when considering this course. Eligible students can elect to enrol in the Graduate Certificate of Aviation (Piloting) to access FEE-HELP to assist with flying training fees.

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front. 

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 Financials
  • 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 HECS-HELP

You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen and 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.

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 2024.

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 in the capped amount for 2024.

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

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 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 directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code
BA-AV
Apply directly
Course code
BA-AV
CRICOS code
063365E
Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. 

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

Closing date

Applications for Round 1 close on 20 December. Applications submitted after this date may be considered in later rounds.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
24-July-2024
Start dates
29-July-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
29-July-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Upcoming events
Swinburne Innovation Challenge
26-June-2024
    • Aviation

    New pilot pathway program takes off at Swinburne

    Swinburne is partnering with Qantas under a new pilot pathway program that will see aviation students eligible to enter the airline’s regional brand, QantasLink, as a Turboprop First Officer.

    Monday 11 December 2017