I know graduates walk away with a CPL, MEIR, and ATPL theory, but I’ve heard that only a handful actually get picked up by Qantas Group airlines directly. That’s totally understandable — I just want to plan ahead and understand what the journey looks like for the average new pilot.

Employment direct into the group depends on whether or not various group entities are hiring.

Qantaslink (Eastern/Sunstate) - yes. Always turnover on the Q400 and a lot of Qlink pilots are being taken now for NJS A220 so more will be needed on the Q400

NJS A220 - at this stage no QGPA grads are being taken for NJS but with a large expansion planned (5-29 A220s within a few years) they'll definitely need a lot more pilots soon so a pathway for QGPA grads may be developed.

Network Aviation F100/A320. Some QGPA grads being employed here, Network has a high turnover and seems to take anyone so that will probably continue.

Jetstar 787/A320 - after their own cadetship ended they took some QGPA grads but I don't think they've taken some for a while, having said that I think Jetstar recruitment overall has been quiet for a while. Being said a LCC will eventually need to recruit again, having said that being the highest paid part of the Qantas group (outside of Qantas proper) they usually don't have as much of a shortage in applications as other subsidaries.

Qantas freight (A321) - I don't think they have taken cadets ever, haven't heard of any plans for them to do so.

Qantas (mainline) - haven't taken grads, I did hear a rumour about the top QGPA grads on each course being offered a deal where they would instruct in Toowoomba for a few years then be offered a position straight into Qantas mainline. Hasn't been formally confirmed.

Of course this all depends on whether or not each group company needs pilots when you graduate. When the first QGPA recruits graduated in 2020 obviously no jobs available. However for some courses last year I believe 2/3rds were employed into the group in the 6 months after graduating. The better you do on course, both academically, flying ability and attitude will determine if/when you get offered employment post graduation.

I believe a lot of grads who aren't successful straight away have become instructors at FTA or FTA-Q in Parafield or Toowoomba. A time back I heard the academy had some contacts up in the NT to get their grads time with one of the GA operators up there. Nothing formal.

I would say if you don't get a job in the group, there should be opportunities in instructing or GA for you unless you've proven to be a bit of a knob on course. So do the right thing as the QGPA course is essentially a year long job interview.