RPL cost: Singapore vs Australia comparison (2026).
This guide compares actual all-in costs for Singapore PPL vs Australia RPC and RPL pathways, and explains why intensive training delivers better value per dollar than extended weekend training.
If you're weighing the cost of getting a Recreational Pilot Licence in Singapore versus Australia, the numbers tell a clear story — but the full picture includes hidden variables that change the calculation.
Who this is for: Singaporeans deciding where to train for an RPL or equivalent recreational licence
- Direct cost comparison: Singapore PPL vs Australia RPL
- Hidden costs that inflate both pathways
- Break-even analysis for the Australian detour
- Which pathway makes sense for your situation
The headline numbers
Here's what flight schools advertise:
| Pathway | Minimum package cost | Typical actual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore PPL (Seletar Flying Club) | Not publicly advertised | S$ 30,000–40,000 |
| Australia RAAus RPC | A$ 7,925–13,499 (≈ S$ 7,130–12,140) | A$ 15,000–18,000 (≈ S$ 13,500–16,200) |
| Australia CASA RPL | A$ 10,595–12,670 (≈ S$ 9,535–11,400) | A$ 16,000–20,000 (≈ S$ 14,400–18,000) |
Minimum package costs are based on regulatory minimums (20–25 hours). Typical actual costs reflect 30–40% more hours due to skill plateaus, weather, and training tempo.
Australia RAAus RPC pricing: Peninsula Aero Club (A$7,925 min), Sydney Flying Academy (A$13,499).
Australia CASA RPL pricing: Interair (A$10,595.70 + A$2,075 ancillary), Darling Downs Aero Club (A$12,500).
At first glance: Training in Australia costs 50–70% less than Singapore, based on typical completion costs.
What the headline numbers miss
The Australian pathway requires travel, accommodation, and time away from work. These costs add up:
Travel and accommodation
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights (SIN–MEL/SYD) | S$ 600–1,200 | Budget to mid-range, depends on season |
| Accommodation (4–6 weeks) | S$ 2,800–5,600 | A$ 100–200/night, Airbnb or motel near airfield |
| Meals and transport | S$ 1,400–2,100 | A$ 50–75/day for food, Uber/car rental |
| Subtotal | S$ 4,800–8,900 |
Opportunity cost
Most Singaporeans training in Australia take 4–6 weeks of leave. If you're mid-career:
- Unpaid leave: Lost income (varies by salary)
- Annual leave burn: You're using vacation time for training, not leisure
Break-even analysis
Singapore pathway total: S$ 30,000–40,000 (training only, no travel)
Australia pathway total: S$ 21,000–29,150 (training + travel + accommodation)
Savings: S$ 9,000–10,850 even after adding travel costs.
When Singapore makes sense
- You can't take 4–6 weeks off work
- You prefer training on weekends over 8–12 months
- Seletar's prestige and networking matter to you
- You want to stay CAAS-current from day one
When Australia makes sense
- You can block out 4–6 weeks
- You want intensive, immersive training
- You prioritize cost savings of S$ 9,000+
- You're comfortable with RAAus or CASA rules (not CAAS)
The hidden cost multiplier: skill decay
Both pathways suffer from the same trap — students who train inconsistently (1 lesson per week or less) pay 30–50% more because they re-learn basics every flight.
Singapore risk: Weekend-only availability stretches training to 12+ months. Skill decay is high.
Australia advantage: Intensive training (flying 5–6 days/week) minimizes decay. You finish in 4–6 weeks and retain more.
This is the hidden reason the Australian detour often delivers better value — not just lower cost, but better proficiency per dollar spent.
What about conversion back to Singapore?
If you train in Australia and want to fly in Singapore later:
- RAAus RPC: No direct CAAS conversion. You'll need to do a Singapore PPL from scratch (but your skills transfer).
- CASA PPL: ICAO-compliant. CAAS will recognize it with paperwork and potentially a skills check.
- CASA RPL: Not ICAO-compliant. No automatic international recognition. You'll need country-specific approval from CAAS.
Bottom line: Most Singaporeans training in Australia do so for recreational flying in Australia, not to convert back. If Singapore flying is your goal, train at Seletar.
Final numbers: What you'll actually pay
| Pathway | All-in cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore PPL | S$ 30,000–40,000 | 8–12 months (weekends) |
| Australia RPC or RPL | S$ 21,000–29,150 | 4–6 weeks (intensive) |
| Savings (Australia) | S$ 9,000–10,850 |