The time is rapidly approaching where the entry level wage for a Commercial Instructor will need to be about $80,000 p.a. and rise to over $120k for advanced training work. If any Tradie can earn $70 to $90 per hour and get paid for total time on duty it should be a wake-up call that G.A. will need to offer similar conditions to attract and keep suitable people.
Sure, this will increase the cost of learning to fly, but savvy flight school operators are investing seriously large bucks in new aircraft to capture the market. Having a million dollar training fleet grounded due to lack of instructors will put someone out of business far quicker than doubling instructor wages. For students having to ultimately absorb these costs this is probably the first time in many years that career earning potential will quickly recoup the investment.
At Recreational PPL level small Mum and Pop operators running a couple of 40 year old bugsmashers won't be able to handle this, but it is hardly reason for professional instructors who have already invested over $100,000 and a couple of years' hard graft in their own future to settle for Macca's wages.