Flight Instructor

A flight instructor teaches pilots and trainee pilots the knowledge, skills, and procedures required to operate aircraft safely and legally in Australian airspace. They conduct both theoretical classroom instruction and practical in-flight training on aircraft systems, aerodynamics, navigation, and emergency procedures, adhering to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) standards and individual aircraft type ratings.

Develop and deliver flight training syllabi aligned with CASA Part 141 and Part 61 training requirements and competency standards. Conduct pre-flight briefings covering weather conditions, route planning, airspace restrictions, and performance calculations using current meteorological data. Perform in-flight instruction from the right-hand seat, demonstrating aircraft handling techniques, instrument approaches, and emergency procedures. Assess trainee pilot competency against CASA required knowledge (RK) and instrument rating standards using standardised evaluation checklists. Maintain detailed training logbooks and progress records for each student, documenting hours, endorsements, and areas requiring remedial instruction. Prepare students for CASA written examinations and checkride assessments, including ground school instruction on airspace rules, air law, and meteorology. Conduct post-flight debriefs identifying strengths, errors, and development areas, adjusting subsequent lessons based on performance. Manage aircraft preparation and equipment checks, including fuel calculations, weight and balance verification, and serviceability sign-offs.

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

Pay is low relative to your flight hours and certification burden. Many instructors work casual or part-time at flying schools, with no job security or benefits. You're also personally liable if a student crashes.

Work is location-dependent and remote work is not possible. Most instructors work for Part 141 approved flying schools or Part 61 independent operators rather than airlines.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2311, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Active Listeningcore
• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Continuous Learning and Upskillingcore
• Feedback Collection and Actioningcore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• Digital Literacy
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
• Multitasking
• Process Documentation
• Quality Assurance and Checking
• Record Management
• Report Writing
• Written Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026