Graduate Certificate of Aviation (Piloting)
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.
You're invited to our 2025 Study Expo
Join us this January to meet academics, browse courses, get application help, explore our Hawthorn campus and find out all you need to know about starting in Semester 1.
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.
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
Concurrent enrolment in one of the following:
- Bachelor of Aviation
- Bachelor of Aviation / Bachelor of Business
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).
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:
- IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
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.
-
Bachelor of Aviation
-
Graduate Certificate of Aviation
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.
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.
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.