Flight Instructors play a vital role in training the next generation of pilots and ensuring ongoing aviation safety. Despite this, Australia is experiencing a significant instructor shortage, as highlighted in the 2025 Aviation Workforce Plan. Contributing factors include high training costs, limited career pathways, and rapid attrition as instructors transition into airline roles after only a few years.
With continued growth expected across air travel and tourism, demand for pilot training will continue to rise. However, there is currently no structured apprenticeship pathway or progression model to support and sustain this essential workforce.
To help industry respond to these challenges, Industry Skills Australia (ISA) is leading this project to evaluate the potential for a higher apprenticeship or traineeship model specifically designed for flight instructors.
Higher apprenticeships in Australia are evolving to better meet industry skill needs. These programs combine structured on-the-job training with formal study that leads to a VET qualification at the Diploma or Advanced Diploma level and may attract government funding.
With no nationally funded apprenticeship/traineeship model for flight instructor training or pathways aligned to CASA’s instructor ratings, this study will explore how a formal apprenticeship/traineeship pathway could:
- reduce training costs
- strengthen career progress
- improve retention
The absence of structured pathways, consistent funding mechanisms, and clear career progression is placing pressure on training providers and affecting the sustainability of the aviation workforce. These challenges also limit the sector’s ability to attract a diverse range of new entrants.
A structured higher apprenticeship or traineeship model has strong potential to provide:
- formal and nationally consistent development pathways
- stronger retention and workforce stability
- clearer long-term career opportunities for flight instructors.
Integrating existing VET qualifications, such as the Diploma of Aviation (Flight Instructor and Instrument Rating), into this model, rather than relying on higher education pathways, may also reduce costs and improve accessibility.
This project will deliver a suite of outputs designed to assess feasibility, define requirements, and propose a national apprenticeship or traineeship model for flight instructors. Key deliverables include:
- A structured higher apprenticeship or traineeship model for flight instructors aligned with CASA requirements and existing VET qualifications
- Recommendations for consideration by industry, CASA and government
How this will be achieved
The feasibility study will:
- Undertake extensive consultation with industry to build alignment and support
- Assess the feasibility of a higher apprenticeship or traineeship model for flight instructors aligned with CASA’s graded structure (Grades 3, 2, and 1).
- Explore support from the states/territories, industry and unions to enable funding and broader adoption.
- Define operational requirements for Grade 3 instructors as a minimum and align these with the model’s progressive stages, including feasibility of incorporating Grade 2 and Grade 1.
- Establish pathways for advancement beyond the apprenticeship to higher instructor grades.
- Identify implications for training providers, including curriculum design, delivery models, and compliance impacts.
- Engage with Industry Training Advisory Bodies (ITABs) to ensure alignment with vocational standards and industry needs.
Industry Skills Australia will engage with stakeholders throughout the project, ensuring all feedback is considered to deliver outcomes that meet industry needs. The draft model will be made available for stakeholder review in the final stage of the project.
The project is due to be completed by 26 February 2027
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Haidee Whiteley Project Manager M: 0427 385 159 |