Graduate Certificate of Aviation
Overview
Study the Graduate Certificate of Aviation to gain specialised knowledge and practice critical to undertaking a management or leadership role within the aviation sector. The course is primarily designed for personnel currently involved in the industry who wish to upgrade their skills at a tertiary level and focus on aviation safety behaviours. Learn how human factors can result in aviation accidents and the correlation between these factors and advanced technology. Students will also learn the importance of safety reporting.
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
- Upgrade your skills at tertiary level
- Your skills will span across industries including transport, supply chain and health
- Focus on aviation safety behaviours
- Gain advanced knowledge and practice that are critical in the industry
Stretch your career further
- Aviation management
- Airline or airport manager, flight or ground operator
- Aviation safety authority
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?
Graduate employers include Qantas and Jetstar Airways
$30,000 aviation scholarship awarded annually
Aviation education leader for more than more than 30 years
Qualifications
Applicants are required to have one of the following:
A bachelor degree (or higher award) in a related discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent; OR
A recognised bachelor degree (Honours) in any of the following disciplines: Aviation, Engineering, Business, Economics, Management, Law, Marketing, Science, Technology, Psychology or Social Science; OR
A minimum of three (3) years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience*
*Relevant professional experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Head of Academic Unit (or delegate) with reference to School-determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.
Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.
Applicants are required to have one of the following:
- A bachelor degree (or higher award) in a related discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent; OR
- A recognised bachelor degree (Honours) in any of the following disciplines: Aviation, Engineering, Business, Economics, Management, Law, Marketing, Science, Technology, Psychology or Social Science; OR
- A minimum of three (3) years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience*
*Relevant professional experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Head of Academic Unit (or delegate) with reference to School-determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.
Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.
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 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, 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.
-
Graduate Diploma of Aviation
-
Graduate Certificate of Business Administration (Swinburne Online delivered)
-
Graduate Certificate of Applied Statistics
How credit points work
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate of Aviation, students must complete 50 credit points comprising:
Nested programs
The Graduate Certificate of Aviation forms the first stage in a nested suite of programs. Continue studying with the:
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Human Factors and Advanced Technology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
AVA80004 |
|
Aviation Industry Fundamentals
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
AVA80012 |
|
Marketing in Aviation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
AVA80032 |
|
Safety in Operational Teams
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
AVA80003 |
|
Airline Revenue Management and Pricing
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
AVA80034 |
|
Leading High Performance Organisations
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
AVA80039 |
|
Economics
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ECO80001 |
|
Business Information Systems
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
INF60007 |
|
Strategic Project Management
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
INF70005 |
|
Governing Technology for Business Environments
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
INF80042 |
|
Leadership for Innovation
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
MGT80005 |
|
Specialisation Units
|
|
Want to learn more about this course?
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate of Aviation in the course handbook.
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$15,960
Total fee* ($AUD)
$15,960
Commonwealth Supported Yearly Fee* ($AUD)
$4,657
Commonwealth Supported Total Fee* ($AUD)
$4,657
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$18,920.00
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?
Two types of loans are available to assist with student study fees. Depending on eligibility, you’re able to apply for one of the loans outlined below.
- FEE-HELP is a loan that’s available for full-fee paying higher education students. Depending on your eligibility, the Commonwealth Government can help pay all or part of your loan directly to Swinburne.
- HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme that’s available if you’re enrolled in a Commonwealth-supported place. Depending on eligibility, a HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount.
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.
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 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
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!
Online and distance education courses are only available to international students who are studying in a country other than Australia.