Australian National Airline College

Australian National Airline College (ANAC) is a private, vocational flight training provider based in Melbourne that has been training pilots since around 1990. It operates as Moorabbin Aviation Services Pty Ltd trading as ANAC and delivers CASA-approved flight training and CRICOS-registered courses for international students.

 

Why choose ANAC (short, student-focused reasons)

  • CASA-approved training (national aviation regulator) — meaning licences are taught to Australian regulatory standards.

  • CRICOS registration — accepts international students with student visas.

  • Airline/industry pathways — ANAC promotes airline-ready training and many graduates work for airlines worldwide.

  • Practical focus & fleet access — maintains a relatively high aircraft:student availability (advertised as ~1 aircraft to 6 students) and a multi-aircraft fleet for hands-on flying time.

 

Approvals & recognition (important)

  • CASA approvals (Civil Aviation Safety Authority).

  • CRICOS provider (so international students can enrol on student visas).

  • Registered Training Organisation (RTO) under the Australian Qualifications Framework; ANAC also notes CAAC (China) approvals for some training arrangements.

 

Campus locations / training bases

  • Moorabbin Airport (Melbourne) — ANAC’s head office and main campus for many international students.

  • Mangalore Airport (regional Victoria) — used for cadet/airline training blocks.

  • Echuca Airport — regional campus (availability for international students may vary).

 

Types of courses & study levels (what you can expect)

ANAC’s offerings focus on pilot licences, diplomas and ratings (practical + ground theory). Common items shown in ANAC materials and third-party listings:

  • Diploma of Aviation pathways (integrated/packaged programs leading to a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) — aeroplane).

  • Instrument Rating / Multi-Engine ratings (IR, ME).

  • Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and short courses (type ratings, refresher courses).

  • Type Ratings and special courses (e.g., King Air, Citation listed in older brochures).
    Program lengths vary: short certificates to diplomas (examples: some diploma programs listed 25–68 weeks depending on stream).

 

Mode of learning

  • Onsite practical flying (major component) combined with classroom/theory sessions. Ground theory is typically classroom-based but some providers offer blended or online theory components — however the flying itself is necessarily in-person. For CRICOS international delivery the practical/on-site training is required.

 

Number of programs offered

  • Public listings show a small, focused catalogue (several core diploma/licence pathways plus short courses and type ratings). Third-party education sites summarize this as around 2 main AQF courses plus several licences/ratings and short programs; ANAC focuses on airline pilot pathways rather than a large university-style program list.

 

Fees (international student indication)

  • Third-party listings estimate first-year tuition ranges for diploma/UG-level aviation pathways roughly AUD ~36,000 to ~63,000 (figures vary by program, duration and what's included). Always confirm current fees directly with ANAC before applying.

 

Highlights & selling points (at a glance)

  • Long-standing flight school with airline pathway focus (since ~1990).

  • CASA & CRICOS approvals — suitable for international students seeking Australian licences.

  • Fleet and regional campus options (Moorabbin + Mangalore + Echuca) to access different flying conditions and training blocks.

Scholarship

Major items to consider

  • Airline / industry scholarships (big impact on accommodation/costs but limited): e.g., Qantas Academy diversity scholarships (female & First Nations focused, support for accommodation up to amounts stated).

  • University scholarships for aviation degrees (larger dollar amounts, e.g., Destination Australia via universities such as RMIT). Example: RMIT’s Destination Australia scholarship offers up to AUD 15,000 per year for the Bachelor of Aviation (Pilot Training) for eligible students. This is a major pathway for international students who choose a university degree + flying training.

  • Provider / RTO scholarships & training credits: many flight schools offer small scholarships/credits (e.g., Learn To Fly provides ~$3,000 training credit scholarships for overseas students meeting their criteria). These are useful for partial cost relief.

  • Industry & not-for-profit bursaries (Flying Start, Air Pilots Australia, local aero club scholarships) — ranges vary and usually cover a block of flying hours or instrument training rather than full programmes.

 

Selected scholarships (details & eligibility)

  1. Qantas Group Pilot Academy Scholarships

    • Who: targeted equity-based scholarships — historically aimed at increasing diversity (female cadets and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander cadets).

    • What they cover: support for accommodation and living costs (Qantas noted scholarships worth up to ~AU$30,000 for accommodation/food for academy attendees — tuition is generally additional). Number of scholarships and target groups were increased in recent initiatives.

    • How to apply: monitor the Qantas Pilot Academy pages and FAQs; applications are time-limited and often require selection tasks and an aptitude/fitness process.

  2. RMIT / Destination Australia (for Bachelor of Aviation)

    • Who: international students enrolling in eligible regional courses (Destination Australia is government funded but administered by universities).

    • Value: AUD 15,000 per year for Bachelor of Aviation (Pilot Training) (amounts vary by course and year).

    • How to apply: apply to RMIT (or another participating uni) and the scholarship through uni scholarship portals; check eligibility (residency, study load, course enrolment).

  3. CAE — Women in Flight & other CAE awards

    • Who: CAE programs sometimes offer gender-focused scholarships and awards (Women in Flight) and other targeted grants. These can cover specific training modules/ratings.

    • How: check CAE’s “Become a pilot” / scholarships page; applications often require motivation statements.

  4. Learn To Fly (provider scholarships / training credit)

    • Who: Learn To Fly Melbourne offers small scholarships (examples: AUD 3,000 training credit) for overseas students already enrolled in their diploma programmes (or meeting set milestones). Good for partial cost reduction.

  5. Community / aero club & NGO scholarships

    • Organisations like Flying Start, Air Pilots Australia, local aero clubs and foundations occasionally offer hour-based scholarships (e.g., funding for first 20 flight hours, instrument training credits). These are competitive and require local nominations or applications.

 

Eligibility & application tips for scholarships

  • Typical eligibility: academic record, English language competence, medical fitness (Class 1/2 aviation medical for flying), visa status (must be eligible to study full time), and sometimes residency or diversity criteria. Airline scholarships often include aptitude assessment and interviews.

  • Documents to prepare: CV, personal statement (why aviation, career plans), academic transcripts, English scores (IELTS/TOEFL if required), references, evidence of finances if the scholarship is partial. For university scholarships, also attach offer letter/CRICOS course code.

  • Medical & background checks: many scholarships require you to pass CASA medicals and police checks — get these done early if possible.

  • Application tips: show commitment to aviation, outline clear career pathway (how the scholarship enables airline entry), include team/community work (airlines like leadership/community engagement), and highlight any prior flying/related experience.

 

Recent developments & cautions (must know)

  • Policy & market risk: there have been federal discussions about caps on overseas student enrolments which could affect capacity and places for international students — this has created industry concern. Always verify current government rules and how they impact CRICOS quotas for providers.

  • Provider failures: there have been notable collapses of some flight schools in recent years; check latest financial/operational status, student protection measures, and refunds/tuition assurance before paying large deposits.

 

Practical next steps — a checklist for you

  1. Shortlist 3 providers (one big academy, one university pathway, one regional school).

  2. Check scholarships on each provider’s scholarship page and university scholarship portals (RMIT/CAE/Qantas). Save deadlines.

  3. Prepare documents: transcript, IELTS/English evidence, CV, statement, medical (start CASA medical process early).

  4. Check living costs & accommodation (academy campuses vs private renting). Qantas Academy offers on-site housing for many cadets.

  5. Ask for a pre-enrolment Q&A with the provider (ask refund policy, training schedule, fleet availability, job placement rates).