How much does it cost to learn to fly in Australia?

A private pilot licence (PPL) package at a flight school in Australia typically costs A$20,000. Half of the 13 schools that publish a package price charge between A$15,800 and A$30,000. The lowest published price is A$9,750 and the highest is A$38,600.

A trial flight (also called a discovery or introductory flight) typically costs A$300. Half of the 33 schools that publish a price charge between A$195 and A$400.

What a PPL costs in Australia

Among the 13 Australian schools in our directory that publish a private pilot licence price, the typical package costs A$20,000, and most charge between A$15,800 and A$30,000. A trial flight typically costs A$300, based on 33 schools.

In New South Wales, where most published prices come from, the typical package is A$20,000. Trial flights cost about A$300 in New South Wales, A$260 in Victoria and A$380 in Queensland.

RPL and PPL

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues two licences most hobby pilots train for. The Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) needs at least 25 hours, 20 of them with an instructor, and can be held from age 16. Many students take the RPL first and then continue to the PPL.

The Private Pilot Licence needs at least 40 hours on a standard course, or 35 hours on an integrated course at a Part 142 school, including 10 hours solo with a 150 nautical mile cross-country flight. You can hold a PPL from age 17.

Medical and theory

For the PPL flight test you need a Class 1, Class 2 or Basic Class 2 medical certificate. For the RPL there are lighter options, including a self-declaration. There is a CASA theory exam for the PPL and a separate one for the RPL.

Prices by region

Lowest published PPL packages in Australia

Lowest published trial flight prices in Australia

How we worked this out

Prices come from the schools’ own websites, checked in September 2026. For each school we take its lowest package price for the PPL course and its lowest trial flight price, leave out figures that look like single lessons or exam fees, and convert the few prices quoted in other currencies. “Typical” is the median: half of schools charge less and half charge more. “Most schools” is the middle half.

Cite this data: BookFlightSchools, “Cost of learning to fly in Australia: PPL and trial flight prices (2026)”, September 2026. https://bookflightschools.com/flight-schools/australia/cost

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