Associate Degree of Aviation
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The course is designed to enhance students’ understanding of aircraft management, their multi-crew skills and knowledge of Jetstar operating procedures to prepare them to become a First or Second Officer.
This program is available to Jetstar cadets only and candidates must apply through Jetstar. Please see below Course information in detail for more.
Ready to tech on the New Year?
Did you know that many of our degrees have real industry experience built into them so you can face your tech-rich future with confidence? We've put all your application, loan, campus and course info in one place so you can find your way at Swinburne.
Find your way.
Duration
1.5 years full-time
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Full-time
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Please note that this course is only available to applicants who are 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.
Course structure
- 6 Aviation core units (75 credit points)
- 4 Aviation Practical core units (50 credit points)
- 1 Aviation Practical elective unit (12.5 credit points)
- 4 Aviation Human Factors, Air Transportation, Aviation Technology core units (50 credit points)
- 1 Elective drawn from Aviation Human Factors and Air Transportation Management electives (12.5 credit points)
A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative.
Practicum (AVF) and associated licence theory (AVT) units that are either delivered by a university recognised flying provider or credited under a Credit Transfer Agreement will be done so under the requirements of the university’s Academic Partnerships Policy.
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Associate Degree of Aviation is 100 credit points (normally eight units)
Units of study
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Course aims and objectives and graduate skills.
Aims and objectives
- demonstrate both broad and specialised technical knowledge and skills within the field of professional pilot practice
- demonstrate broad knowledge of Aviation Human Factors and Aviation Management to analyse and contribute to the implementation of solutions in global professional airline and aviation practice
- critically apply theoretical and practical skills as a professional pilot and to be able to analyse, evaluate and review to provide solutions to non ambiguous, ambiguous and novel complex flight scenarios
- apply knowledge and skills beyond the minimum specified in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Part 61 Manual of Standards to achieve the licencing qualification of Commercial Pilot (Aeroplane)
- apply knowledge and skills beyond the minimum specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to achieve the rating qualification of Instrument Rating Command Multi Engine Aeroplane
- apply knowledge and skills to achieve successful completion of a Multi Crew Cooperation Course beyond the minimum as specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
- have the ability to make and initiate high level judgements within the professional pilot framework, and to successfully transmit knowledge, skills, ideas and to communicate with a variety of stakeholder audiences in a range of practical and technical and learning contexts
- demonstrate professional standards at all times that include responsibility and accountability with a pro-active professional pilot work ethic and recognise the need to engage in ongoing professional development.

Graduate skills
- capability in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
- entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
- operate effectively and ethically in work and community situations
- adaptable and manage change
- awareness of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. socio-cultural, economic, natural)
Knowledge
- broad theoretical and technical knowledge in the field of aviation, with the attainment of CASA theory pass applicable to the Air Transportation Pilot Licence
- cognitive skills to identify, analyse and evaluate information and concepts in the broad field of aviation
- cognitive, technical and creative thinking skills to express and understanding of aviation concepts with some depth
- sognitive communication and analytical skills to interpret and explain sometimes complex aviation problems and generate solutions
- Skills to communicate and present on aviation intellectual knowledge and ideas effectively
- a developed application of knowledge and skills as specified in the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council Training packages AVI40108 Certificate IV in Aviation (CPLA) and AVI50408 Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Flight Operations)
- an ability to use initiative and judgement to solve problems, and plan and decide on solutions in paraprofessional practice
- an ability to adapt fundamental principles, concepts and techniques to different contextual situations, which may be unpredictable, in the field of aviation
- an ability to adapt knowledge and skills in different contexts and apply to further studies
- the capacity to practice professional and ethical responsibility individually and within teams, and recognise the need to engage in lifelong learning.
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
2021 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
---|---|---|---|
Full fee |
$33,880.00 (Theory units only) | $24,640.00 (Theory units only) | See how your SSAF is calculated |
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.
Find out more about fees.
Entry requirements
- 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, diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).
Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry upon completion of the STAT test.
- VCE units 3 and 4 – 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
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.
How to apply
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.
Find out more
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE