Entry requirements

Entry Requirements for Australian Domestic Students ONLY:  The following are the mandatory entry requirements for enrolment with TAFE Queensland in the Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter). 

Prospective students must:   
be in possession of, or in the process of applying for a current Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) for flight crew. 

• have an Aviation Reference Number (ARN).  produce evidence of a current Aviation Class 1 Medical carried out by a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME).
• You will need to obtain your ARN prior to completing the medical. 
• Be Eligible to obtain English language proficiency to meet the minimum requirements set by CASA. 
• For VET Student Loan students produce documentary evidence to satisfy Academic Entry eligibility requirements:    
• Option 1: Produce your Year 12 certificate with passes in English and Math; or,  
• Option 2: Successful completion at the required level (exit level 3 working at Level 4) of the Basic Key Skills Builder (bksb) assessment through TAFE Queensland.     
• Obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI) prior to enrolment. 
• Hold or be eligible to hold a Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate. 
• Participants must be a minimum of 18 years of age prior to the completion of this qualification.

Selection criteria

Domestic and International Students
The following Selection criteria requirements apply to International and Domestic Students:

Before enrolling in this program, the student must meet the below Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements:

• First, seek an Aviation Reference Number (ARN). You must apply for an ARN through the  Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
• Obtain a valid CASA issued Class 1 Medical Certificate from a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner. Find out more about this process here.
• Hold an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) which will require a comprehensive background and criminal history check as part of the application process. Find out more about this process here.
• English Language Proficiency
  • All foreign pilots converting to an Australian license or a Certificate of Validation (CoV) must be aware that they require an ICAO English language proficiency assessment.
  • This should be either stated on their foreign license or a statement from the issuing authority stipulating that the license holder, at least meets, Operation Level 4 for English language proficiency. A license or a CoV will not be issued without the proper ELP assessment.

Prospective students are to be advised that the CASA theory study and exam component includes solving of basic mathematical problems as well as the ability – after completing ground-based theory study - to determine outcomes of multiple choice online supervised CASA exam questions.

International Students
The following Selection criteria requirements apply only to International Students:

• English Language Proficiency: Academic IELTS 6.0 (no individual band less than 5.5) or ISLPR 3 on all skills or other - For a list of all English Language test accepted by TAFE Queensland International
• Academic Requirements: Completion of Year 12 (or equivalent). Non school-leavers must have relevant work experience or qualification that indicates likely success of course completion. For more information on the international education achievement levels equivalent to Year 10 and 12.

Students should be a minimum of 18 years of age. Student visa applicants under the age of 18 will be accepted where they demonstrate that they will be accompanied by a parent, legal custodian or a suitable relative who is aged 21 or over. This arrangement requires the approval of the Department of Home Affairs.  For more information visit Department of Home Affairs - Welfare Requirements for Student Visa Applicants under 18.

Resources required

North and Far North Queensland
As part of this program the following resources will be required:

• A calculator
• Closed in shoes (not steel capped)
• Accurate wrist watch
• Townsville Helicopters uses a customised version of the Advanced Flight Training CPL book back for theory training. Please contact Townsville Flight Training directly for more information.

If you are completing this program in Townsville, you will also require the following region-specific charts for practical navigation:

• Townsville/Cairns Visual Terminal Chart (VTC)
• Townsville /Cairns Visual Navigation Chart (VNC)

Your instructor will let you know when these need to be purchased. Charts can be purchased at the school, or online from Aviation suppliers for approximately $12 each.

Due to wear and tear, you may need to purchase more than one copy of each chart during your training.

Need to know

Please be aware that additional costs may be incurred for any unsuccessful examinations undertaken with The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). 

TAFE Queensland will invoice the student the cost of re-examination as per the following:

• Human Factors $155.90
• Aerodynamics $155.90
• Aircraft General Knowledge $155.90
• Meteorology $155.90
• Navigation $168.20
• Flight Rules and Air Law $168.20
• Operations, Performance and Flight Planning $178.60

Should extra flying hours be required to achieve the standard Commercial Pilot Licence, then additional fees may apply.

Assessment Methods

Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning. Read more about assessment methods.