Associate Degree of Aviation
Overview
Designed for students accepted into an airline cadet training program, the Associate Degree of Aviation prepares you for a professional pilot career, delivering training that goes beyond the minimum licensing requirements set by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
You’ll meet essential airline entry requirements through a single, integrated program and train in both single- and multi-engine aircraft.
Your flight training takes place at CAE Melbourne Flight Training in Moorabbin. You’ll be in the air from your first semester, flying regularly and building proficiency thanks to their large, modern fleet and advanced simulators.
- CAE Melbourne Flight Training is part of the world’s largest pilot training network. Aircraft is serviced in-house, reducing downtime and maximising flying time.
- Swinburne’s long standing partnerships with Qantas, Jetstar, AirAsia and China Eastern Airlines ensures training reflects current operating standards and expectations.
- Course content and progression are shaped around airline cadetship requirements, supporting a clear, structured pathway from study to airline operations.
Special condition
Entry into this course is subject to acceptance into an airline cadet training program with an organisation holding an internationally recognised Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). Students not undertaking a cadetship may consider the Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting.
Explore your options with expert advice
Get advice on your application, switching courses or comparing study options for Semester 1. Visit us during drop-in application week, Monday 2 – Friday 6 February.
Graduate qualifications
- Private Pilot License (PPL)
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
- Multi Engine Aeroplane Instrument Endorsement
- Air Transport Pilot License theory subjects (frozen ATPL)
- Multi-Crew Cooperation and Jet Orientation Course (MCC/JOC) via elective
Skills you’ll learn
- Professional piloting
- Human factors understanding
- Safety and risk management
- Teamwork under pressure
- Adaptability and resilience
- Professional workplace skills
Your career opportunities
- Professional pilot
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?
Access to CAE’s large, modern fleet enriched by simulator experience
You’ll be in the air sooner, and more regularly
All essential airline pilot qualifications in one packaged program
30 years connecting graduates to industry
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, or
- Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees).
Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry upon completion of the STAT test.
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne, for general information about admission process.
Non qualification entry
- Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry if they have significant and relevant work experience.
- Students will also require evidence such as STAT test.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent overseas qualification.
This will be assessed at the time of your application. To check your eligibility for this course, visit our entry requirements for international students page.
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 Further Mathematics or equivalent
- 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 Further Mathematics or equivalent
Other requirements
Applicants must have been successfully selected and accepted into either;
- a pilot cadet training program with an organisation holding an internationally recognised Air Operators Certificate (AOC) of transport category aeroplanes, or,
- a flight instructor cadet training program with an organisation holding a recognised Air Operators Certificate (AOC) with approval to conduct flight training.
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).
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne, for general information about admission process
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check 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.
-
Bachelor of Aviation
-
Bachelor of Aviation Management
-
Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Associate Degree of Aviation requires students to complete units of study to the value of 200 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
What your course could look like
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Aviation Safety and Risk Management
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
AVA20023 |
|
Human Factors in Aviation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
AVA20025 |
|
Airport and Airline Planning: Factors and Outcomes
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
AVA20028 |
|
Current and Future Aviation Technologies and Operational Concepts
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
AVA30006 |
|
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 2B
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
AVF80003 |
|
Multi Engine Aeroplane Instrument Endorsement Practicum
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
AVF80004 |
|
Private Pilot Licence Theory
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
AVT10001 |
|
Commercial Pilot Licence Theory 1
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
AVT10002 |
|
Commercial Pilot Licence Theory 2
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
AVT20001 |
|
Air Transport Licence Theory 3
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
AVT30001 |
|
Air Transport Licence Theory 1
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
AVT30005 |
|
Air Transport Licence Theory 2
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
AVT30006 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Option 1 | |
2026 tuition fees
2026 tuition fees
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2026 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
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?
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 2026.
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 2026.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2026 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.
Professional placement fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
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! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.