Media release - Red tape cut to help boost Engineer numbers
Red tape hindering experienced overseas and defence force aircraft engineers from joining the Australian aviation industry has been cut by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Procedures for qualified aircraft engineers to have their skills and training recognised have been streamlined to help boost the numbers of Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers.
This follows a careful review of maintenance personnel licensing requirements by CASA.
The changes will reduce the time and costs for overseas or Australian defence trained aircraft engineers to gain approval to work in the Australian civil aviation maintenance industry.
New procedures will mean the qualifications of overseas and defence engineers can be assessed before they come to Australia or leave the defence force.
CASA examined the maintenance personnel licensing system and regulatory oversight of six nations and has agreed to recognise engineers from these nations without a requirement for further technical examinations.
The recognised nations are Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
It is expected the list of recognised nations will grow as CASA continues to make more assessments.
CASA has also reviewed the training and qualifications provided by the defence forces and determined what levels provide the equivalent technical competency to the civilian requirements.
This means defence engineers who have reached these levels do not have to sit further exams.
CASA chief executive officer, Bruce Byron, says the changes are good news for Australia’s aviation industry.
“The aviation industry always needs engineers and by cutting red tape we can open up new opportunities for new people with the right qualifications to fill critical vacancies,” Mr Byron says.
“Overseas aircraft engineers will find Australia a more attractive place to work and defence force engineers can move more smoothly into civilian occupations.”