How to become a Flight Instructor

Also called: Flying Instructor

Educates and trains students in flight procedures, navigation and aircraft operations, and supervises their flight practice, ensuring safety and compliance with aviation regulations.

Main tasks

• Develops detailed and structured lesson plans encompassing theoretical knowledge and practical skills
• Instructs students in the theory and principles of flying aircraft
• Conducts pre-flight and post-flight inspections of aircraft to ensure safety and airworthiness
• Demonstrates and explains the operation of aircraft controls and equipment
• Provides practical flight training to students, including take off, landing and manoeuvring
• Monitors and evaluates students' progress, and provides feedback on their performance
• Maintains logs of student performance and their flying hours
• Prepares students for flight certification exams

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Aviation (Pilot in Command) (AVI60219); Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane) (AVI50222); Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Helicopter) (AVI50322); Diploma of Aviation (Flight Instructor) (AVI50419); Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Rating) (AVI50519)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $137,852 a year
• About 15,500 people work in this job group now, and about 17,600 are projected by 2035. (+13.7%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Aeroplane Pilot
• Air Traffic Controller
• Helicopter Pilot

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Flight Instructor?

Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Aviation (Pilot in Command); Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane).

How much does a Flight Instructor earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $137,852 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Flight Instructor a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 14% by 2035, from about 15,500 to about 17,600 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Flight Instructor?

Not always. 34% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Advanced Diploma of Aviation (Pilot in Command); Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane).

Will AI change the work of a Flight Instructor?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04