"One other question I have is regarding claiming back the cost of a MECIR or FIR. For example, if I was employed by a Flight Training Organisation in any capacity, and completed a FIR to gain employment as an Instructor there, would I be able to claim some/any of that cost back?"
Dreamer84,
I'm pretty certain you'll find the ATO in its spirit of generosity, specifies that you can make claims on aviation related training, but
only those items that are
incurred after you are employed on the payroll as a working pilot. In other words no back-claiming.
If you are employed by an aviation employer in a capacity other than flying instructor or company pilot, the ATO will say no, not a dime, even if you happen to hold a CPL.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Dreamer84, but I think those are the rules of the game.
