Mental Health

Depression is more than just a low mood. It's a serious mental illness with mood disorders impacting 1 in 16 Australians according to the Department of Health.

Importantly, research on airplane pilot mental health and suicidal thoughts found that over 12% of pilots met threshold levels for depression.

Depression can impact your:

• physical health
• concentration levels
• alertness
• reaction time
• decision-making ability.

For pilots, the hazards of depression could mean the difference between life and death.

Depression is a serious health consideration. However, a diagnosis doesn’t mean the end of your aviation career. Every presentation of depression is different, and we make aeromedical decisions on a case-by-case basis.

We look for stable recovery, even if you need ongoing medication is required.

Some medications are approved.However, others have side-effects that may affect performance while operating an aircraft.

You can read more about our regulatory approach to depression and mental illness in our depression and aviation safety fact sheet.

Also see the Department of Health's information about depression.