Skills Recognition | Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Aviation Australia offers an opportunity to have recognition of prior learning (RPL) of previous studies, qualifications and experience assessed for certification against the below courses.
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer trade (Aeroskills) qualifications/competencies
- CASR Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence category/sub-categories
- A – (Mechanical) sub-categories 1-4 – fixed or rotary-wing aircraft with gas turbine or piston engines
- B1.1 – (Mechanical) fixed-wing aircraft with gas turbine engines,
- B1.2 – (Mechanical) fixed-wing aircraft with piston engines,
- B1.3 – (Mechanical) rotary-wing aircraft with gas turbine engines,
- B1.4 – (Mechanical) rotary-wing aircraft with piston engines,
- B2 – (Avionics) fixed and rotary-wing aircraft
If you are not a qualified aircraft maintenance engineer but are seeking pathways to the industry then please visit our Aeroskills Training section.
Please click on the titles below for more information and enrolment links.
CASR Part 66 B1 (Mechanical) Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence
To satisfy CASA for the grant, under CASR Part 66, of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence (AMEL) in category/sub-categories B1.1, B1.2, B1.3 and B1.4 – candidates must meet the CASR Part 66 basic knowledge, competency and practical experience requirements as laid out in 66.A.25 and 66.A.30 of the CASR Part 66 Manual of Standards:
- Sat and passed the CASR Part 66 Basic Knowledge Modular Examinations and Essays for whatever licence is sought – 66.A.25 (b)
- Been deemed competent in the National Aeroskills Competencies for whatever licence is sought – 66.A.25 (e)
- Have the met the Basic Practical Experience Requirements for whatever licence is sought, 12 months of which have to be accumulated immediately prior to application – 66.A.30
The term competency means a Unit of Competency from the National Aeroskills Training Package which Registered Training Organisations (RTO) have on their scope of approval, however, in order for an RTO to also provide a CASR Part 66 licensing outcome for the grant of an AMEL, it needs to be a CASR approved Part 147 Maintenance Training Organisation (MTO).
Aviation Australia enrol candidates in to the specific basic knowledge and competencies required for the licence sought. The candidate then submits their aircraft maintenance engineering qualifications and experience so that we can conduct an RPL assessment to identify the correct training requirements as well as ensuring the candidate can meet the basic practical experience requirements.
Once all the requirements have been met then Aviation Australia will certify (to the candidate and CASA) with a CASA Form 465 showing that the candidate has met the requirements for the application of a licence.
In certain circumstances, if the competencies meet the packaging requirements of the Aeroskills Training Package then Aviation Australia will also issue the candidate with an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) qualification.
Foreign licence conversion information can be found in the FAQ’s section below.
Click here to download the CASR Part 66 B1 Licence Information Sheet.
CASR Part 66 B1.1/1.2/1.3/1.4 (OFFSHORE – not in Australia)
Note: If you don’t already have one, all candidates will be required to register for an Australian Unique Student Identifier (USI) number which will need to be entered during the online enrolment. For more information and to register for a USI then please refer to this website
Note: If you are not a resident/citizen of Australia and you are enrolling in to RPL offshore/internationally then you do not need a USI – you need to enrol online using the offshore link above.
CASR Part 66 B2 (Avionics) Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence
To satisfy CASA for the grant, under CASR Part 66, of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence (AMEL) in category B2 – candidates must meet the CASR Part 66 basic knowledge, competency and practical experience requirements as laid out in 66.A.25 and 66.A.30 of the CASR Part 66 Manual of Standards:
- Sat and passed the CASR Part 66 Basic Knowledge Modular Examinations and Essays for whatever licence is sought – 66.A.25 (b)
- Been deemed competent in the National Aeroskills Competencies for whatever licence is sought – 66.A.25 (e)
- Have the met the Basic Practical Experience Requirements for whatever licence is sought, 12 months of which have to be accumulated immediately prior to application – 66.A.30
The term competency means a Unit of Competency from the National Aeroskills Training Package which Registered Training Organisations (RTO) have on their scope of approval, however, in order for an RTO to also provide a CASR Part 66 licensing outcome for the grant of an AMEL, it needs to be a CASR approved Part 147 Maintenance Training Organisation (MTO).
Aviation Australia enrol candidates in to the specific basic knowledge and competencies required for the licence sought. The candidate then submits their aircraft maintenance engineering qualifications and experience so that we can conduct an RPL assessment to identify the correct training requirements as well as ensuring the candidate can meet the basic practical experience requirements.
Once all the requirements have been met then Aviation Australia will certify (to the candidate and CASA) with a CASA Form 465 showing that the candidate has met the requirements for the application of a licence.
In certain circumstances, if the competencies meet the packaging requirements of the Aeroskills Training Package then Aviation Australia will also issue the candidate with an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) qualification.
Foreign licence conversion information can be found in the FAQ’s section below.
Click here to download the CASR Part 66 B2 Licence Information Sheet.
CASR Part 66 B2 (OFFSHORE – not in Australia)
Note: If you don’t already have one, all candidates will be required to register for an Australian Unique Student Identifier (USI) number which will need to be entered during the online enrolment. For more information and to register for a USI then please refer to this website
Note: If you are not a resident/citizen of Australia and you are studying offshore or enrolling in to RPL offshore then you do not need a USI – you need to enrol online using the offshore link above.
CASR Part 66 A Licence
To satisfy CASA for the grant, under CASR Part 66, of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence (AMEL) in category/sub-category A1, A2, A3 or A4 – candidates must meet the CASR Part 66 basic knowledge, competency and practical experience requirements as laid out in 66.A.25 and 66.A.30 of the CASR Part 66 Manual of Standards:
- Sat and passed the CASR Part 66 Basic Knowledge Modular Examinations and Essays for whatever licence is sought – 66.A.25 (b)
- Been deemed competent in the National Aeroskills Competencies for whatever licence is sought – 66.A.25 (e)
- Have the met the Basic Practical Experience Requirements for whatever licence is sought, 12 months of which have to be accumulated immediately prior to application – 66.A.30
The term competency means a Unit of Competency from the National Aeroskills Training Package which Registered Training Organisations (RTO) have on their scope of approval, however, in order for an RTO to also provide a CASR Part 66 licensing outcome for the grant of an AMEL, it needs to be a CASR approved Part 147 Maintenance Training Organisation (MTO).
Aviation Australia enrol candidates in to the specific basic knowledge and competencies required for the licence sought. The candidate then submits their aircraft maintenance engineering qualifications and experience so that we can conduct an RPL assessment to identify the correct training requirements as well as ensuring the candidate can meet the basic practical experience requirements.
Once all the requirements have been met then Aviation Australia will certify (to the candidate and CASA) with a CASA Form 465 showing that the candidate has met the requirements for the application of a licence.
In certain circumstances, if the competencies meet the packaging requirements of the Aeroskills Training Package then Aviation Australia will also issue the candidate with an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) qualification.
Click here to download the CASR Part 66 A Licence Information Sheet.
CASR Part 66 B1 and B2 Category Licence Exclusion Removal
To satisfy CASA for the removal of exclusions from CASR Part 66 category B1 and B2 licences, under CASR Part 66, candidates must meet the CASR Part 66 basic knowledge and competency requirements of the particular exclusions, as laid out in 66.A.25 and 66.A.70 of the CASR Part 66 Manual of Standards:
- Sat and passed the CASR Part 66 Basic Knowledge Modular Examinations for whatever exclusion is sought to be removed – 66.A.25 (b)
- Been deemed competent in the National Aeroskills Competencies for whatever exclusion is sought to be removed – 66.A.70 (e)
The term competency means a Unit of Competency from the National Aeroskills Training Package which Registered Training Organisations (RTO) have on their scope of approval, however, in order for an RTO to also provide a CASR Part 66 licensing outcome for the grant of an AMEL, it needs to be a CASR approved Part 147 Maintenance Training Organisation (MTO).
Aviation Australia enrol candidates in to the specific basic knowledge and competencies required for the removal of an exclusion. The candidate then submits their aircraft maintenance engineering qualifications and experience so that we can conduct an RPL assessment to identify the correct training requirements.
Once all the requirements have been met then Aviation Australia will certify (to the candidate and CASA) with a CASA Form 465 showing that the candidate has met the requirements for the removal of the particular exclusions.
DASR Part 66 MAML Category Licence Exclusion Removal
This offer is for DASR Part 66 MAML Licence Holders only.
To satisfy DASA for the removal of exclusions from DASR Part 66 category A, B1 and B2 licences, candidates must meet the DASR Part 66 basic knowledge and unit of competency requirements of the particular exclusions, as laid out in the Military Aircraft Maintenance Licence: Exclusions, Inclusions & Endorsements document.
DASA identifies the MEA units of competency required to address DASR MAML exclusions. After enrolment with Aviation Australia, the candidate will be required to submit evidence of their aircraft maintenance engineering qualifications and experience so that we can conduct an RPL assessment to identify the specific Part 66 basic knowledge and practical training and assessment requirements for the removal of an exclusion.
Once all the requirements have been met Aviation Australia will certify (to the candidate) with a CASR Part 147 Certificate of Recognition (for any CASR Part 66 exams passed at 75% or above) and a Statement of Attainment for the units of competency achieved. This can then be submitted to DASA as evidence that the candidate has met the requirements for the removal of the particular exclusions.
Aviation Australia holds a Letter of Acceptance from the Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA), confirming their approval to recognise Aviation Australia’s maintenance training and assessments in accordance with our CASA and EASA Part 147 approvals.
Certificate III in Aircraft Surface Finishing (MEA30118)
This qualification is applicable to employees of aircraft maintenance organisations, or of specialist aircraft surface finishing organisations who are required to prepare the surfaces of aircraft and aircraft components for the application of surface finishes, apply paint, specialist finishes and decals or stencils.
Certificate IV in Aeroskills Mechanical (MEA40718)
This qualification may apply to employees of civil aviation maintenance organisations or to individuals that wish to gain employment in the aviation industry who perform scheduled inspections, fault diagnosis and repair, and modification of airframes and airframe mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems and components, and of aircraft engines and (where applicable) propellers.
The qualification defines the exit from an apprenticeship and may apply to either aircraft maintenance performed on flight lines/ramps and in hangars, or to airframe and engine component repair and overhaul performed in workshops.
Certificate IV in Aeroskills Avionics (MEA40618)
This qualification may apply to employees of civil aviation maintenance organisations or to individuals that wish to gain employment in the aviation industry who perform scheduled inspections, fault diagnosis and repair, and modification of aircraft electrical, instrument and radio systems and system components.
The qualification defines the exit from an apprenticeship (for domestic students) and may apply to either aircraft maintenance performed on flight lines/ramps and in hangars, or to avionic component repair and overhaul performed in workshops.
Certificate IV in Aeroskills Structures (MEA41318)
This qualification may apply to employees of civil aviation maintenance organisations or to individuals that wish to gain employment in the aviation industry who perform work on both metal and composite structures. In some cases, primarily in the General Aviation (GA) sector, individuals may be also required to work on aircraft with wooden structures and/or fabric coverings.
The qualification defines the exit from apprenticeship (for domestic students) and may apply to work performed in hangars on the structure of complete aircraft and to work performed in workshops on structural components.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the RPL process take?
The RPL process usually takes around 6-8 weeks to complete on receipt of the RPL pack and supporting evidence. Please note completed RPL pack must be returned to Aviation Australia within 12 months or enrolment will expire.
What does the enrolment fee include?
The fee includes the enrolment in to the applicable qualification/competencies for a single sub-category, an RPL assessment of your evidence, a Journal-of-Experience (JOE – to gain any required competency on-the-job) and certification to the student (and to CASA where applicable). If additional sub-categories are required an additional fee will apply, please see course outline for further details.
Please note enrolment will expire 3 years from receipt of your completed RPL pack with supporting evidence, if all requirements have not been met, finalised and certification issued.
Can Aviation Australia convert my foreign AME licence to a CASR Part 66 licence?
In some instances yes; in accordance with our CASR Part 147 MTO Certificate of Approval we are approved to conduct RPL from certain licences. Anything outside of this then the full regulatory requirements apply – please see the CASR Part 66 Manual of Standards (66.A.25) for more information as well as our Foreign Licence Conversion Information document.
Can Aviation Australia RPL aircraft type?
No, we are not approved to conduct RPL on type.
Can I use EASA Part 66 examination credits towards a CASR Part 66 licence?
Yes, as long as they are not over 10 years old at point of certification/application for licence.
I hold qualifications from another industry sector, am I able to utilise these for RPL against the regulatory basic knowledge examinations?
No. RPL credit for CASR Part 66 basic knowledge (the modular exams) can only be given if a candidate has CAR 31 CASA Basic and/or EASA/CASR Part 66 exam credits from a Part 147 MTO and they are not over 10 years old at point of certification/application for licence.
However, we may be able to use your qualifications and experience to give RPL against the practical units of competency from within the chosen qualification.
How does Aviation Australia certify to CASA?
Aviation Australia utilises the CASA Form 465 to notify CASA of regulatory training outcomes.
Can Australian Defence Force Aircraft Technicians be given credit against the CASR Part 66 Basic Knowledge Modules?
No, unfortunately not. RPL credit for CASR Part 66 basic knowledge (the modular exams) can only be given if a candidate has CAR 31 CASA Basic and/or EASA/CASR Part 66 exam credits from a Part 147 MTO and they are not over 10 years old, at point of certification/application for licence.
Can Australian Defence Force Aircraft Technicians be given credit against the practical requirements of the CASR Part 66 B1 or B2 Licence?
Yes, subject to provision of evidence as part of the RPL assessment.
Can someone just take a quick look at my qualifications and experience without me going through the RPL process?
Unfortunately not. Without conducting a full and extensive RPL assessment, we are unable to give advice on individual circumstance.