Data collected by the Victorian Skills Authority shows that TAFE colleges who offer a Diploma of Aviation (CPL) have a completion rate of only 5.4% compared to 21% for students who enrolled directly with a private Registered Training Authority (RTO).
In the period 2017-21, Victorian TAFEs produced only 85 CPLs from the 1500 enrolled, whereas the RTOs produced 325 for similar enrolment levels.
TAFE colleges structure the diplomas (AVI50215 and AVI50219) by delivering the theory themselves, but outsourcing the flying component to a flying school.
The total completion rate for Victoria of 13.2% is about half the national average, even though the state accounts for 32.3% of diploma enrolments.
For the five-year period, 9635 diploma students enroled right across the country, with Victoria accounting for 3110 of those, split 50-50 between TAFEs and direct RTO enrolments.
These figures do not include students studying for a Bachelor of Aviation at a university or those completing a self-funded CPL through a flying school.
Diploma courses through TAFEs are generally funded by VET FEE-HELP loans from the government, up to around $75,000 per student paid directly to the college.
The VSA data shows that of all states, South Australia is performing the best, inducting 2075 students over the five years to hand out 1105 diplomas, a completion rate of 53.3%. Tasmania has the remarkable result of 73.3% completion, coming from 55 CPLs out of 75 original enrolements. Other results are:
New South Wales: 22.6% completion (450/1995)
Queensland: 21.8% (370/1695)
Western Australia: 33.6% (230/685)
The national figures, however, do not separate TAFE enrolments from direct RTO enrolments.
The Australian Flight Training Industry Association (AFTIA) has said that they are concerned about the figures in light of the pilot shortage and what they say is a waste of government resources in the form of VET FEE-HELP payments.
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has been contacted for comment.