Notice_021_2025_All Members – Urgent – Have Your Say on CASA’s Proposal to Fast Track Foreign Licence Recognition (Closes 4 June 2025)

May 23, 2025 | Featured on front page, News, Notices, Notices 2025

Dear Member,

 

CASA has released Consultation Draft CD 25/08MS, proposing to accelerate the recognition of foreign Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licences in Australia. The consultation window is extremely short and will close on Tuesday, 4 June 2025.

 

After careful review, the ALAEA believes the proposal, in its current form, poses unacceptable risks to licence standards, job security and the long‑term health of our profession.

Key Concerns Identified by the ALAEA

 

  1. Inadequate consultation period– fewer than four weeks to consider wide‑ranging regulatory changes.
  2. Missing supporting material– no guidance, competency‑mapping or impact analysis has been provided.
  3. ICAO Annex 1 requirements overlooked– the draft is silent on the mandated practical‑skills component.
  4. Troubling overseas precedents– European regulators are facing safety and workforce issues linked to similar fast‑track arrangements.
  5. Erosion of local training– reducing the need to train Australian engineers jeopardises future workforce sustainability.
  6. Premature authorisations– allowing foreign licence holders to work before completing a CASA assessment is unacceptable.

 

The ALAEA will lodge a detailed submission with CASA. Your individual response, however, is crucial; regulators pay close attention to the number and quality of submissions from licence holders. You may have a different point of view to the ALAEA, and that is fine, but please complete the survey.

 

How You Can Respond — Please take 5 mins of your time to help safeguard your career / industry.

 

  1. Visit CASA’s Consultation Hub: https://consultation.casa.gov.au/regulatory-program/cd-2508ms/
  2. Download Consultation Draft CD 25/08MS and the survey form.
  3. Complete the online survey orupload a short submission outlining your views before 4 June 2025. You are welcome to reference the concerns above or add your own perspective.

 

 Need Assistance?

If you would like talking points or further guidance, please email technical@alaea.asn.au

Thank you for helping safeguard the integrity of Australian licensing and the future of our profession.

 

Glynn Sowter

General Manager

Notice_021_2025_All Members_Urgent_Have your say on CASAs proposal_closes 4 June 25