Would it be so difficult for CAsA, if the rules are so important for "Safety", to set up an online examination as an alternative to the oral part of a renewal.
The industry is collapsing in Australia under the burden of over-regulation driving up costs to unsustainable levels, more and more Australian pilots will consider the option of training overseas. The costs in America are almost half that of Australia, the only thing propping it up here are HEC's and foreign students many of whom are here for the Visa rather than the qualification.
As the industry contracts, more Australians will also have to look abroad for employment and as this thread illustrates the difficulties of retaining the currency of their Australian qualifications will compound.
If the test of knowledge of the rules must be in oral form, could this not be conducted by Video link with an ATO?