Graduate Diploma of Aviation

Duration2 years full-time
Location
Online
Next start termTerm 1, 2024
Study modeOnline
Course codeCM54
CNS Aviation 19_07.jpg

Overview

The Graduate Diploma of Aviation will provide you with the aeronautical experience required for a career as a commercial pilot under the standard of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) 142 Integrated Program.

In this course, you will build your skills as a pilot, starting with short flights constrained within the aerodrome training area and circuit area right through to the commercial pilot licence level. You will conduct long-distance flights, visiting multiple aerodromes in regional and outback Australia. You will be required to attend a flight training provider approved by the Head of Course in order to complete this course.

You will develop your critical reflection and self-analysis skills as well as analytic, communication and presentation skills. During your study, you will gain the aeronautical experience required to apply for a Recreational Pilot Licence, Private Pilot Licence, Command Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot Licence.

To enrol in the Graduate Diploma of Aviation, you must:

  • successfully complete the first year of CQU's Bachelor of Aviation,
  • pass a Class 1 Aviation Medical,
  • be eligible to hold an Australian Security Identification Card, and
  • have the approval of the Head of course.

To gain both aeronautical knowledge and aeronautical experience, you must maintain full-time study in the Bachelor of Aviation (Flight Operations) and the Graduate Diploma of Aviation.

When you graduate from this course, you would normally hold a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and a Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating (ME-CIR).

Career Opportunities

This course prepares you for aviation careers in the air transportation industry as a commercial pilot. When you graduate with the Graduate Diploma of Aviation (you will meet the aeronautical experience requirements for a career as a commercial pilot in the air transportation industry. When studied in conjunction with CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Aviation (Flight Operations) you would normally be legally qualified to work as a commercial pilot and have access to other aviation careers in the air transportation industry, or a cadetship/traineeship offered by some airlines. You may also be eligible to apply for the Australian Defence Force which recruits potential pilots for all services. With additional flight training, you can explore opportunities in general aviation such as; flight instructing, tourism operations, and agricultural operations such as mustering and crop spraying.

Structure & Availability

Course Structure

You are required to complete seven core units.

Unit information

For information on the units you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.

Credit transfer information

If you have already completed study relevant to the course you have enrolled in, you may be eligible for credit transfer.

Online Availability

IntakeLocations
Term 1, 2024Available Online

Majors and minors are not applicable to this course.

This course has no residential schools.

Requirements

Recommended study

No recommended study.

To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must supply:

  • Current Aviation Reference Number (ARN), and
  • To be eligible to hold an Aviation Security Identification Card (AISC), and
  • Current Class 1 Aviation Medical, and
  • At a minimum, a passing grade in the following units AVAT11013, AVAT11005, BUSN11016, AVAT11010,
    AVAT11012, AVAT11008, AVAT11009, and AVAT12018; and
  • Completion of an interview with the Head of Course or nominated Aviation academic staff member; and
  • Completed Student Checklist - to be signed and submitted with the application (per instructions on the
    checklist).

Note: The Graduate Diploma of Aviation (Flight Operations) is available to current CQUniversity Bachelor of Aviation students only. Students completing the Graduate Diploma of Aviation must be enrolled concurrently in the CQUniversity Bachelor of Aviation to maintain their place.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Applicants are required to provide confirmation of completion of:

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV qualification, or
  • An AQF Diploma level qualification, or
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT - Requires 75 or better overall and no score less than 17; or
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

If you are an international student, visit our international student information for more details.

Students are required to hold a Class 1 Aviation Medical throughout the course. 

Students are required to obtain an Australian Security Identification Card (ASIC) before commencing flying.

Students are required to hold the Australian Security Identification Card (ASIC) throughout the course. 

You will have to meet this course's inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes.

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative Fees

Fee TypeFees
Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee$141,180

Indicative first-year fee

The fees listed are indicative only and based on enrolling in a full-time study load for one academic year for this course (seven units over two terms). Your fees may vary depending on the units you select and the number you study per term. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.

Government assistance loans

You may be eligible for FEE-HELP, an Australian Government loan scheme that helps eligible students pay their tuition fees. Provided you meet the FEE-HELP eligibility criteria, you can choose to use FEE-HELP to cover all or part of your tuition fees. Learn more about paying for university or view the FEE-HELP information booklet on the Australian Government’s Study Assist website.

Other study costs

Part of your course costs includes Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). There may also be additional costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.

At CQUniversity, we believe higher education should be for everyone. No matter your situation, we know that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and we are proud to offer a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and stipends.
Our scholarships could help you pay for things like relocation, living on campus, laptops and technology, childcare, study and living expenses, travel and more. 

How to apply

To apply for this course, you must be a current CQU Bachelor of Aviation student.

Applications are opening soon for 2024, Register Your Interest to stay informed about course updates and important application dates.