A popular drone pilot course for high school students is in doubt as the Queensland government reviews which vocational training it will subsidise in 2026.

Over the past three years, more than 3,500 high school students have learned to pilot a drone through the Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot) with costs covered by the state.

The subsidised course is not listed in the 2026 Career Ready program, which was released to schools and training providers in February.

Luke Evans, the founder of training group UAVAIR, said students may no longer be able to access the qualification free and may instead have to pay more than $4,000 to enrol.

He said, with funding not yet secured, his business, teaching mainly in central Queensland and Mackay, would not continue.

"At this stage, it's qui

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