Two answers to that question.
We got a simple AWK operation AOC last year - $4500 and three months for CASA with no problems, a good Ops manual and and experienced Chief Pilot.
We added ME CHTR and a PPL/CPL/NVFR flying school this year - made the application in January, approved at end of July. Again, it was a "good" application but because we had to write new CBT materials for the flying school it was a lot of work. Cost us $6800 in CASA fees.
The Ops Manual was written in-house based on previous experience, other manuals we have used in our careers, and some other **** we just made up
It isn't an easy process to go through but with some knowledge and experience (not nescessarily all in Aviation) it can be easier.
Many of the old-timers don't really seem to understand the purpose behind an Operations Manual - they are the guys who say "CASA just wants us to put the company letterhead on top of the CARs and CAOs and call THAT the ops manual!
Another bottom-dwelling operator I know doesn't realise how close he came to losing his AOC due to his inability to provide a decent Ops Manual
