Basically you need to have done a CASA approved MCC course before applying for an Australian ATPL under Part 61. If you already have extensive co-pilot time on (say) an A320 or B777 with an overseas airline and applying for an Australian ATPL (already have an Australian CPL, Australian CIR on jet transport type with all ATPL subjects) then CASA will not recognise that time as equivalent level of safety for an Australian MCC course.
Purportedly that is because CASA have no direct oversight of overseas operators. Thus it is official that 40 hours of theory instruction (including coffee breaks
) at an approved Aussie flying school to gain an MCC certificate of competency is more valuable in MCC experience than 5000 hours as a first officer in a real transport jet. Doesn't quite make sense to me. Am I the only one?