If you've ever dreamed of working in the aviation industry, becoming a flight attendant (also known as cabin crew) can be an exciting and rewarding career path. Flight attendants travel throughout Australia and around the world while playing a critical role in passenger safety, comfort, and emergency response.
To become a flight attendant in Australia, most airlines require applicants to meet basic eligibility criteria including age, work rights, passport validity, and medical and security clearance. Airlines also prioritise strong customer service experience and communication skills due to the safety and service nature of the role.
Below, we break down exactly what airlines look for, including qualifications, experience, skills, and how to improve your chances of being hired.
Many people think flight attendants primarily serve food and drinks, but safety is actually their number one priority.
Australian airlines invest heavily in training cabin crew, so they look for people with strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and a safety-first mindset.
While requirements vary slightly between airlines, most Australian carriers require applicants to meet the following criteria.
Most airlines in Australia require cabin crew applicants to be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. This is the standard minimum age for many entry-level and domestic flight attendant roles.
For some international or long-haul cabin crew positions, certain airlines may prefer or require applicants to be 21 years or older, depending on operational requirements, flight routes, and role responsibilities. In practice, this is often linked to increased experience expectations and the demands of international flying.
Age requirements can vary between airlines and aircraft types, so applicants should always check the specific criteria listed in each job advertisement.
You must typically be:
Most airlines require unrestricted working rights in Australia.
Even for domestic roles, airlines generally require a valid passport with sufficient validity remaining due to operational flexibility.
Successful applicants must pass:
These checks are standard across the aviation industry.
Flight attendants must be able to safely perform operational duties onboard.
Airlines commonly assess:
Some airlines use functional reach tests rather than strict height requirements.
Cabin crew must be able to demonstrate water safety competency because they are trained to respond to emergency evacuations over water.
This may include:
There is no university degree required to become a flight attendant in Australia.
However, many airlines require or strongly prefer applicants to hold:
Because alcohol is served onboard many flights, an RSA certificate is commonly required.
A current first aid qualification is highly valued and often mandatory.
Most airlines also require current CPR competency as part of safety training expectations.
After being hired, airlines provide comprehensive cabin crew training covering aviation safety, emergency procedures, and service standards.
You do not need previous airline experience to become a flight attendant. Customer service experience is essential.
Airlines typically look for people with experience in:
The most important factor is experience working directly with people in a customer-facing environment. Airlines look for candidates who can:
Successful cabin crew members typically demonstrate:
You will interact with passengers from many different cultures and backgrounds.
Airlines want crew who can create positive passenger experiences while maintaining professionalism.
Cabin crew work closely with pilots and other crew to ensure safe operations.
The role involves long hours, irregular schedules, and managing unexpected situations.
Safety is always the highest priority onboard.
These skills can be taught and practiced.
Most Australian airlines follow a similar recruitment process:
Training typically includes:
Training can last several weeks depending on the airline.
A Diploma of Travel and Tourism is not required to become a flight attendant in Australia, and many airlines hire candidates without formal qualifications.
However, completing a travel and tourism qualification can significantly improve your job readiness and competitiveness in airline recruitment processes.
It can help you:
Students who want to build industry knowledge and confidence before applying for airline roles often choose pathways such as our Work, Study + Fly program, which combines travel and tourism training with practical industry exposure.
Many successful cabin crew candidates use travel and tourism study as a pathway into aviation careers, particularly when transitioning from school or other industries.
Becoming a flight attendant in Australia is competitive, but achievable with the right preparation. Airlines look for people with strong customer service skills, professionalism, and a genuine passion for travel and aviation.
For many aspiring cabin crew, building experience in travel and tourism is a valuable first step toward achieving that goal.
Our Work, Study + Fly program, is designed to teach, build and grow your skills and confidence to get you there✨