Actually Morno - that is correct you need to be onshore to get Medicare they don't cover overseas doctors or hospitals.

It has been some years for me morno, but I do not recall having to do anything to become a resident for tax purposes again.

Ticking the box on the incoming passenger card that you intend to live in Australia for the next 12 months, may make lodging of a tax return a requirement - but I don't know.

I think you just decide to become a resident again, and that instantly makes you eligible for Medicare.

BENDALOT: One has to factor in a bunch of medical examinations etc etc as well. This figure is a quote from a neighbour of mine.

Yep medical worked out to $1,000 USD for the missus and 2 kids. Ranges from around $150 AUD - 480 Euro for a single adult.
our docs required translations @ $1,000 AUD wont need any from the USA.

Just saying that is a High Quote and will cover more than the application for PR. It would at my guess cover the application fee, medicals, character certificates (police clearances), skills assessments, migration agents fees and airfares.

$10,000 is what is banded around for a total Partner Visa cost excluding airfares - Skilled migration is far cheaper, it is also easier and faster.

Happy to give you a few names of excellent Registered Migration Agents for your neighbour to get second quotes. FYI the RMA's need to supply their registration numbers - the first 2 digits are the year they first became registered.

Doesn't look like anyone mentioned the costs of ticking all the CASA boxes for licensing. I don't know the latest on conversions but getting those ATP subjects done and the instrument rating is expensive and time consuming. Anyone want to chime in on how overseas pilots get that completed without going broke or what assistance, if any, is offered by any operators in Oz.

Hi Mate,

That all depends entirely on the visa type and then the contract you sign - but first is the visa type.

Some visas (with exceptions) require every cost to be paid by the employer and they can not get any part of that back ever (no bonds).

This is where it get complicated and you need the services of a good RMA - this to check the visas you can apply for cost around $230-$250 AUD (one is online) outlining conditions. If you have a contract then I expect the cost to give you the full details with the above cost to be around $500 for a good RMA.

Generally the company get RMA agencies to do visa applications - you best bet is to pay the $500 and have your RMA check it is in your favour, not the employers.

Bend
So it looks like the best bet is to ensure you have an employer lined up to assist with the visa and it will assist with all conversion costs and exams. If you don't need a visa you will probably be on your own to get everything done to be employable.

Looks like a lot of the minimums are coming down eg Qantas and Rex, but regardless of your experience you still need the CASA instrument rating and ATP subjects completed. Most foreign pilots don't appreciate what is involved.

I often have FAA qualified pilots asking me about working in Oz because they hear the stories on the alleged pilot shortage but when I explain they will need to do ATP exams that are more comparable to JAA than FAA and the potential costs of the MECIR their interest fades a lot. I don't think anyone has nominated any airlines that will sponsor pilots.

No your best "bet" is a good RMA.

Fundwinkel you are giving flawed advice. If you have a foreign ATPL (or ATP) you don't have to complete all 7 ATPL exams. You only need to do IREX and,

• The ATPL Human Factors exam (AHUF) and
• The ATPL overseas conversion exam (either AOSA or AOSH).

Bend alot. You are correct about Medicare. If you get a knock back from a Medicare office just go to a different one and leave with a temporary card ( actually a piece of thermal paper )

Lead Balloon,

“banished to the grass.”
“panoramic view”
“One AVGAS bowser”
“One GA maintenance organization”
“Sleepy hollow G airspace”

Not really sure these things constitute third world. More likely simply responding to the small demand for GA that exists in CB

However I was more referring to the airline industry as the OP stated that was his/her intended destination.

“How about moving out of your socialist state of CA first, then re-evaluate. If you think that Australia is “much better”then just GTFO....”

You’re a real thinker aren’t you.

I actually forgot - you also need to take in your foreign passport too. Yes thermal paper.

Pilotchute/featherweight
I was aware there were concession for the exams for ATP conversions, I did think that Airlaw was the one you had to do. However I understand Qantas group, and perhaps others, still require all exams to be completed. I did FAA CPL to CASA CPL years ago and from memory it was only Air law exam for that.

That still leaves you with the instrument rating which can be challenging for anyone who hasn't flown in Australia, hasn't flown a duchess (or whatever) for who knows how long and who may never have flown NDB approaches. That is of course unless you can find an employer willing to assist with all that.

A lot of discussion here about Medicare and cost of living etc but for the average non Australian pilot I would think the time, expense and effort to convert from FAA certificates to CASA would be the thing to look at after figuring out the visa.

But I clearly said the visa will determine cost (to you) and that varies from everything to nothing then secondary will be the contract you sign.

So step 1 is what visa can/do you qualify for - after that effort and expense can be worked out.

Is this that 457 visa that's been mentioned previously ?:

https://www.jsfirm.com/job/Pilot-Fix...l/jobID_552750