Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting at Swinburne is a 3-year professional aviation degree designed specifically for international students seeking a commercial pilot career. It combines academic aviation studies with practical flight training, allowing students to undertake the main commercial-pilot qualifications within one packaged programme. Swinburne states that students train in both single- and multi-engine aircraft and begin flying from approximately week three.

Key benefits include:

• Professional pilot training integrated into the bachelor degree.
• Practical flying through CAE Melbourne Flight Training at Moorabbin.
• Training using CAE's aircraft fleet and advanced simulators.
• Training covering single- and multi-engine aircraft.
• Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) training.
• Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating (MECIR).
• Multi-Crew Cooperation and Jet Orientation Course (MCC/JOC) or Flight Instructor Rating (FIR).
• Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) theory, commonly referred to as the frozen ATPL component.
• Aviation industry projects through Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning programme.
• Training aligned with Australian CASA licensing requirements. Swinburne also notes industry relationships with Qantas, Jetstar, AirAsia and China Eastern Airlines.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The current 2026 indicative study sequence contains 300 credit points over three years. Swinburne cautions that unit offerings and sequencing can change and students should use the course planner when planning enrolment.

Year 1 includes:

Semester 1:

• The Global Aviation System and Regulatory Framework — AVA10001
• Essential Aviation Analytical Skills — AVA10011
• Private Pilot Licence Practicum — AVF80001
• Private Pilot Licence Theory — AVT10005

Semester 2:

• Aviation Project: Blue Sky Ideas — AVA10014
• Commercial Pilot Licence Theory 1 — AVT10006
• Elective
• Elective.

Year 2 includes:

Semester 1:

• Airport and Airline Planning: Factors and Outcomes — AVA20028
• Commercial Pilot Licence Practicum 1 — AVF80002
• Commercial Pilot Licence Theory 2 — AVT20003
• Elective

Semester 2:

• Airline Crew Planning and Resourcing — AVA20027
• Airline Market Analysis and Network Planning — AVA20029
• Commercial Pilot Licence Practicum 2 — AVF80013
• Air Transport Pilot Licence Theory 1 — AVT30003.

Year 3 includes:

Semester 1:

• Aviation Capstone 1: Project Planning — AVA30008
• Multi Crew Cooperation and Jet Orientation Course Practicum — AVF80005
• Flight Instructor Rating Practicum — AVF80006
• Advanced Aviation Analytics and Research Skills — AVA30005
• Air Transport Pilot Licence Theory 2 — AVT30004

Semester 2:

• Aviation Capstone 2: Project Implementation — AVA30009
• Current and Future Aviation Technologies and Operational Concepts — AVA30006
• Air Transport Pilot Licence Theory 3 — AVT30002
• Elective.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The main discipline is aviation and professional piloting.

The programme does not list conventional named specialisations in the current course structure. However, the course includes an aviation piloting major and allows four units comprising an advanced minor, minor or electives.

The third-year practical component provides an option between:

• Multi Crew Cooperation and Jet Orientation Course (MCC/JOC)
• Flight Instructor Rating (FIR).

Programme Highlights

• 3-year full-time bachelor's degree.
• International-student-only course.
• 300 credit points.
• 24 units.
• Practical flight training begins early in the programme.
• Flight training at CAE Melbourne Flight Training, Moorabbin.
• Single- and multi-engine aircraft training.
• Commercial Pilot Licence pathway.
• Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating.
• MCC/JOC or Flight Instructor Rating.
• Frozen ATPL theory.
• Aviation capstone projects.
• Aviation analytics and research training.
• Work Integrated Learning through industry-related projects.
• CASA-aligned professional pilot training.

Career Outcomes

The principal career outcome identified by Swinburne is:

• Professional pilot

The qualification is structured toward commercial aviation and includes the CPL, MECIR, MCC/JOC or FIR and ATPL theory components.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The key special requirements currently published by Swinburne are:

1. The Skills Assessment Test is mandatory for admission.
2. A CASA Class 1 Aviation Medical Certificate is required before commencing practical flight training.
3. Practical flying is an integral component of the course.
4. The programme is only available to international students.
5. The course is CRICOS registered under 093354D.
6. International students in Australia on a Student visa must study full-time and on campus.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this course in Australia will generally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500), subject to their individual circumstances.

The Department of Home Affairs currently requires Student visa applicants to satisfy the applicable requirements, including:

• enrolment in an eligible course;
• a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE);
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless exempt;
• English-language evidence where required;
• the Genuine Student requirement;
• financial-capacity requirements where applicable;
• health and character requirements;
• any other documents identified by the Department's Document Checklist Tool.