The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is considering recognising overseas engineer qualifications to combat skills shortages in Australia.
CASA Director of Aviation Safety and CEO Pip Spence said in the April CASA Briefing newsletter published yesterday that the regulator was looking at several methods of assisting foreign holders of Part 66 licences to gain Australian qualifications.
"Our rules already allow us to recognise qualifications and licences from other countries but some applicants consider this too complex, expensive and time-consuming," Spence said.
"We’re looking at how we can safely recognise qualifications more easily and expect to consult on details later this year.
"One way we might do this is through direct recognition of foreign states via an amendment of the Part 66 manual of standards, while another is a streamlined assessment framework for foreign licences.
"We also see potential for short-term approvals which would allow a CAR 30 or Part 145 maintenance organisation to employ foreign LAMEs in Australia for up to 12 months while they work towards an Australian licence.
"It would be similar in concept to the certificate of validation allowing air operators to use suitably qualified flight crews in Australia for a short period, often while they study for a CASA licence.
"We’re still exploring legal mechanisms and practical implications for all these options and we’ll keep you posted."
Recognising foreign engineer qualifications was one of seven points put forward in 2022 by the Regional Aviation Association of Australia to solve the engineer shortage.
Spence also said that CASA was still working on CASR Part 43 – GA maintenance rules, which is designed to benefit the air work and private operations sectors.
"As part of our General Aviation Workplan, this is another initiative designed to address the difficulties sections of the industry have with access to engineers.
"We see Part 43 providing the private and aerial work sectors with advantages such as lower costs and administration, proportionate safety standards and improved regulatory clarity."
CASR Part 43 was first promised to the industry at the AGAA summit in Wagga Wagga in 2018.