AOC application assessment process
Step 1. Contact CASA
Obtain an application form from the CASA website or contact the CASA Service Centre or your local CASA Office to request a form.
The CASA Service Centre is available 7.00am to 6.30pm EST and your local CASA Office staff are available from 8.30 am to 4.30pm local time, Monday to Friday to answer your questions and explain the application process. CASA contact details.
Step 2. Complete and send application form
Complete, sign and send the application with the required supporting documentation to the relevant CASA Office.
Step 3. Review of the application package
CASA will review the application to ensure that you have answered the relevant questions and provided any documents asked for in the application.
Should the application be incomplete, we will contact you and provide you with the opportunity to address the shortfall. Please remember that your application will be returned to you if you do not address the shortfall within a reasonable period of time.
Step 4. Estimate of costs
On the basis of information provided in your application, CASA will estimate the costs of processing your application based on the requirements of the Civil Aviation (Fees) Regulations.
A description of the estimate process is in our Fees and charges section.
The assessment of your AOC application will not commence until CASA has received the required payment and list of supporting documents.
Step 5. Preliminary Assessment
Once payment and supporting documents are received, the CASA Service Centre will carry out a preliminary review of your written procedures for general content and the supporting information for technical correctness.
If the application package is correct, the application will be allocated to the CASA Area Offices located closest to your operation for a detailed assessment.
If the application package is not correct or insufficient, all or part of the package will be returned to you for correction or completion.
Failure to provide any supporting documentation within reasonable timeframes may result in your application being suspended. CASA will cancel any applications that remain suspended / dormant for more than 90 days.
Step 6. Pre-Assessment Meeting (if required)
A meeting with you just prior to the formal assessment of your AOC application may be requested by CASA.
This meeting provides you and CASA the opportunity to discuss the application, each other’s expectations and address any issues that may arise. The assessing Area Office will host this meeting.
CASA will inform you if a pre-assessment meeting is required and in which case, you have to contact the CASA Area Office to arrange a suitable time for the meeting.
Step 7. Detailed Assessment
The detailed assessment involves two stages:
The detailed assessment is carried out in accordance with requirements under the Civil Aviation Act, Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 and the Air Operator Certification Manual.
Step 8. Recommendation and approval
Once the assessment is complete, the certification process is commenced at the area office who prepares a recommendation to the CASA delegate to issue or not to issue the Air Operator’s Certificate.
At this stage, you will also be informed if the recommendation varies from what you have applied for or if the application is declined.
Step 9. Certificate Issue
If approved, your Air Operator’s Certificate will be emailed or faxed to you on the same day and the original forwarded by mail.
The Service Centre will also reconcile the actual hours against the estimated hours for the assessment and either a refund or any invoice to cover additional costs will be included in the mail.