Skydive licence in Australia
Learn to skydive with the AFF Course
Learn to skydive with 1300SKYDIVE and get your licence to skydive solo. Regulated under the Australian Parachute Federation, the first step to becoming a skydiver is to complete the AFF course. We have been training skydivers for over 30 years and our AFF skydiving instructors are some of the most experienced in Australia.
Minimum requirements to enrol in the AFF course:
16 years old is the minimum age to skydive and all minors must have written consent from parents or guardians. There is no maximum age though, we often get students in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s.
110kg is the maximum weight allowed.
Basic fitness is required. You must let us know of any previous injuries or health conditions for an individual assessment of potential risks.
No previous experience required. Although it helps knowing what to expect and avoid sensory overload, you are not required to do a tandem skydive before signing up for AFF.
How the AFF course works
AFF is the most popular modern methodology for learning to skydive. By the end of the course, you will have gained the required skills to safely skydive solo. The AFF course consists of 9 stages or levels, and it is the first step to obtaining your skydiving license in Australia.
Skydive licence cost
At 1300SKYDIVE, you can learn at your own pace without any upfront payment for the full course. Our AFF Stage 1 starts at $495, with full AFF packages from $2,399. Typically, students need between 15 to 25 jumps to obtain the A-license, about $3,200 to $4,000. Although skydiving may seem expensive at first, it becomes much more affordable once you complete your training and have your own gear.
AFF skydiving ground course
AFF begins with a full day of ground training where you will learn all the technical theory and skills required to safely perform your AFF skydives, including how the gear works, freefall skills, steering and landing a parachute, and emergency procedures. Prior to the course, you’ll have access to our online theory, which can help make the first day less overwhelming, especially if you have never done a tandem skydive before.
Your first AFF skydive
The day after your ground course, you’ll make your first AFF skydive with two instructors. They’ll review the drills with you and provide a recap of all the theory and emergency procedures covered during the ground course. If you don’t feel comfortable using and flying your own parachute, you can opt for a tandem-assisted freefall, or TAFF, which will count as AFF 1.
Completing all AFF stages
During the next 8 AFF stages, you’ll continue to develop your confidence and improve your skydiving skills, including aircraft exit, freefall body position, and turns. By AFF stage 9, you’ll make your first solo skydive, from exit to landing your parachute, without assistance from instructors. After completing a minimum of 10 jumps and meeting all requirements for Certificate A, you’ll earn your A-license, officially becoming a licensed skydiver.
Licensed under the Australian Parachute Federation
The Australian Parachute Federation (APF) regulates skydiving in Australia, ensuring consistent training and operational standards at all dropzones nationwide. With a skydiving license, you can enjoy fun jumps at most locations throughout the country. Your APF license will be recognised if you want to jump overseas, but you might need to adhere to different regulations and require a visitor financial membership before you are allowed to jump.
AFF Learn to Skydive Packages
You can complete the AFF course at your own pace, or purchase an AFF package.
AFF Stage 1
$495
APF student membership
Pre-course online training
Full day ground training
AFF Skydive 1
All gear and training materials
'B Rels' Package
$4,799
APF student membership
Pre-course online training
Full day ground training
All 9 AFF Skydives
12 additional jumps with gear hire (8 of which can be B-rel coached)
A Licence course and exam
All gear and training materials
Sign up to the AFF Course
Submit your details and our team will get in touch to discuss your goals and get you signed up into one of our AFF courses. Alternatively you can call us on 1300 759 348
AFF Course locations Australia
Our AFF Locations
We currently run AFF courses in 4 of our locations. Select your preferred one to know more about each dropzone and check availability, or call us on 1300 759 348 with any questions you may have.
Cairns
Learn to skydive in Cairns at our beautiful tropical dropzone in Innisfail. You will be jumping inland with great ocean views over the Great Barrier Reef.
Airlie Beach
Get your skydive licence with Airlie Beach skydivers in Bloomsbury. We offer a Whitsundays holiday package including all training and accommodation.
Hunter Valley
We run AFF ground courses on the first Saturday of every month. Hunter Valley Skydivers is located just 50 min from Newcastle.
Sydney
We run AFF skydiving courses in Sydney every Saturday. You can choose to complete it at your own pace or book the full AFF course package.
The Ultimate AFF Guide
Get the full AFF Course guide
Free 18-page guide with everything you need to know about the AFF course, APF skydiving licences, gear, and more, delivered straight to your inbox.
Learn to Skydive with the experts in Australia
We have trained thousands of skydivers over the last few decades, building world class safety standards and extensive know-how.
We are the most experienced skydiving company in Australia. All our instructors are qualified under the Australian Parachute Federation, with thousands of jumps each.
All our dropzones have student facilities for training and large landing areas to make your learning experience as safe as possible.
Once you complete your AFF skydiving course you will be able to get coaching across multiple disciplines and flying styles.
You can start, continue and finish your skydiving qualifications across any of our current dropzones in Australia.
Learning to skydive can be intimidating. All our instructors are friendly and supportive, and you will find a great community of fun jumpers to skydive with.
You can complete all AFF stages of the course at your own pace.There is no commitment to pay for the full course upfront.
Frequent questions about the AFF course
If you have any other questions or you are unsure whether the AFF course is for you call 1300 759 348 for an individual assessment with no commitment.
What's the minimum age to learn to skydive in Australia?
Under the Australian Parachute Federation, 16 years old is the legal minimum age to learn to skydive in Australia. At our 1300SKYDIVE locations we normally require skydiving students to be 18. If a minor over 16 is serious about doing the AFF course we can discuss it with parents or guardians.
How long does it take to complete the AFF course?
You can complete it in just a few days, or weeks. It is not recommended to leave more than 2 weeks between AFF stages.
Is learning to skydive safe?
We make learning to skydive as safe as possible. Our instructors at 1300SKYDIVE are qualified under the Australian Parachute Federation and highly experienced, with thousands of skydives each. During your AFF training you will gained the necessary skills to safely skydive solo.
Do I have to pay for the full course upfront?
You can complete the AFF course and get your skydive licence at your own pace, there is no need to pay for the full course upfront. PAYG is a good option if you are not sure about it, but you can get a better value with an AFF package.
How many tandem skydives do I need to do before signing up for AFF?
Although it can be beneficial to do a tandem skydive to know what to expect, you are not required to have any previous experience before AFF Stage 1.
What is the total cost to obtain the A licence?
You will need to complete AFF and a minimum of 10 witnessed landings achieving the A licence accuracy requirements. This typically takes between 15 and 25 jumps, about $3,199 to $4,000.
Do I need to buy my own gear after completing the AFF course?
You can buy jump tickets with gear hire while you put together your first set of gear. Your skydiving instructors will be able to guide you through the process.
Can I fly a wingsuit after AFF?
Under the current APF regulations you will need a minimum of 200 jumps, a D licence, and completing the wingsuit crest with a qualified coach. Some dropzones may have additional requirements, like a higher number of minimum jumps before you are allowed to fly a wingsuit.
Is the APF licence valid if I travel overseas?
Yes, your APF licence will be valid in other countries. Bear in mind that other federations like the USPA or BPA may have different requirements to the APF, and you will be required to purchase temporary or visitor memberships before you can jump.
Can I jump with other licensed skydivers after AFF?
Once you complete your B-rel table and get signed off by your Chief Instructor you will be allowed to do 4-ways with other licensed skydivers. The Star Crest will prepare you to safely jump with bigger groups.
Can I wear an action camera to film my skydives after AFF?
You will be required to have a minimum of 100 skydives and a C licence before you can be signed off to wear a snag-free helmetmounted camera, at the discretion of the CI/ DZSO.
Got more questions?
Contact us to discuss any questions or concerns. Our team evaluate student applications on a case by case basis.