Recognition of foreign aircraft maintenance engineer licences from recognised States - (CD 2508MS)

Overview

We want your feedback on a framework that will assist our recognition of a foreign State’s licensing system. 

Under the proposal, once a foreign State is assessed and formally recognised, a licence holder from that country can apply to have their licence recognised by CASA for the grant of an equivalent Australian Part 66 aircraft maintenance engineer licence.

This initiative - consistent with the initiatives outlined in the 2024 Aviation White Paper - is designed to help address the shortage of licensed aircraft maintenance engineers (LAMEs) streamlining the issue of an Australian licence to aircraft maintenance engineers that are internationally qualified.

We are seeking feedback on:

• the framework we are developing to assess a foreign State for recognition for Part 66 of CASR
• corresponding amendments to the Part 66 Manual of Standards (MOS).

At commencement, the Part 66 MOS is proposed to specify Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States of America as recognised States.

Framework for assessing a foreign State

We have developed a framework that we will use to assess a foreign State to provide a basis for recognition of the State for Part 66 of CASR.

It is intended to ensure that Australia’s safety standard for maintenance personnel licensing is maintained while increasing the availability of Part 66 licenced aircraft maintenance engineers for Australian employers.

Using the framework, we will assess a foreign State and if successful, the State will be specified as a recognised State in the Part 66 MOS. This will allow us to grant a Part 66 aircraft maintenance engineer licence in recognition of a foreign licence issued by a recognised State more quickly and efficiently than the current arrangements. Licence holders from other, non-recognised States will still be able to obtain Australian licences via the current Part 147 maintenance training organisation assessment arrangements.

Applicants from recognised States would still be required to meet other minimum requirements including English language proficiency, recency of experience, and knowledge of Australian aviation legislation.

Amendments to the Part 66 MOS - initial recognised States

We have used the proposed framework in the assessment of Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Additional countries are proposed to be assessed in a phased approach as we evaluate them against the framework and progressively add them into the Part 66 MOS.

We propose to update the Part 66 MOS to include:

• an initial tranche of States – Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States of America – that have been assessed by us for recognition for Part 66
• information about knowledge test requirements for applicants for a Part 66 licence.

Recognition of these 3 foreign States will allow individuals that hold an aircraft maintenance engineer licence - that is in force and was issued by the National Aviation Authority of one of the States - to apply to CASA for a Part 66 aircraft maintenance engineer licence based on recognition of the foreign licence.

Other initiatives

This initiative complements other strategies we have rolled out to attract and retain qualified aircraft maintenance personnel in Australia. New approaches include modular licensing and the reduction in resit timeframes for failed maintenance engineer exams.

We are also working with approved maintenance organisations (AMO) to provide an interim arrangement which will enable the AMO to authorise foreign licence holders to certify maintenance in Australia while the licence holder seeks an Australian Part 66 licence.

Why your views matter

Your feedback will help us make sure the proposed framework to assess a foreign State for recognition and proposed Part 66 MOS amendments are suitable, clear and will work as intended.

Please submit your comments using the survey link on this page.

If you are unable to provide feedback via the survey link, please email regulatoryconsultation@casa.gov.au for advice.

Documents for review

All documents related to this consultation are attached in the ‘Related’ section at the bottom of the overview page. They are:

• Summary of proposed change on CD 2508MS, which provides the framework for assessing a foreign State and proposed Part 66 Manual of Standards amendments
• Consultation draft – Part 66 Manual of Standards Amendment Instrument 2025 (No.1)
• Foreign AME Recognition Framework – Final Report
• MS Word copy of online consultation for ease of distribution and feedback within your organisation.

What happens next

At the end of the response period, we will:

• review all comments received
• make responses publicly available on the consultation hub (unless you request your submission remain confidential)
• publish a Summary of Consultation which summarises the feedback received and outlines any intended changes and next steps.

All comments received on the proposed legislation will be considered. Relevant feedback that improves upon the proposed instrument will be incorporated into the final instrument.