We offer 3 scholarships to eligible safety managers who are committed to the development of a healthy aviation safety culture in their organisations.
These scholarships are designed to support emerging or developing safety managers who have not yet had access to formal safety management training. Applicants with extensive prior training or high‑level safety qualifications may be considered out of scope.
Each scholarship is to the value of $5,000 (plus GST).
The scholarships will help emerging safety managers expand their knowledge and skills through professional development.
This initiative is open to anyone who meets the criteria.
The Scholarship applications will open Monday 14 September 2026.
Read about our previous year’s winners in our online Flight Safety Australia magazine:
- Jake Polkinghorne, Karratha Airport
- Hugh McBain, Royal Victorian Aero Club
- Nicholas Johnson, Corsaire
- Adela Benhammouche, Microflite
- Courtney Ryan, Stirling Helicopters
General scholarship conditions
The following conditions apply to the scholarship:
- The successful applicant can claim reimbursement of the scholarship amount by providing us proof of completion and costs of the course.
- The scholarship applies to only the recipient and cannot transferred to anyone else or redeem it in any other way.
- CASA will reimburse the recipient for qualification costs (up to the scholarship amount) by transfer to a nominated bank account.
To claim the scholarship, the successful applicant must show they have successfully completed the course by the end of the scholarship period. We will consider special circumstances.
Scholarship guidelines
The scholarships are designed to support eligible emerging safety managers by providing benefits such as:
- financial support
- encouragement and assistance
- opportunity to up-skill and improve their knowledge through professional development.
Prerequisites
To be eligible for the scholarship, an applicant must:
- have a minimum of 2 years aviation industry experience relevant to the position of a safety manager
- be undertaking or intends to undertake a course they expect to complete during the scholarship period
- be working for a small to medium sized Australian aviation business
- have not already completed extensive training towards their development as a safety manager
- hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency.
Preference
Eligibility requirements are broad to allow for a diverse and wide range of applications. This will also help us in the selection of deserving applicants.
Please note: the CASA panel will preference applicants who hold an aviation safety manager role or other safety related role.
The scholarships will help those who have demonstrated:
- a commitment to aviation safety
- made progress through initiative
- portrayed a high standard of aptitude and safety culture.
Scholarship process
A panel will review and assess all scholarship applications. The panel will include a minimum of 3 CASA nominated staff, as endorsed by the delegate.
The scholarship selection will follow a 4-stage process.