Certified medical examiners test pilots’ eyes for colour perception. This is because pilots must be able to see and identify different coloured lights. This helps to identify runways and taxiways, read charts, and use instruments.
Colour vision assessment for pilots
There are 3 tiers of colour vision testing to prove you can perceive different colours while flying.
Colour vision testing for pilots follows a tiered sequence:
- tier 1: Pseudoisochromatic plates (Ishihara PIP) assessment
- tier 2: Farnsworth lantern (FALANT) or Optec 900 assessment
- tier 3: you can choose to do either:
- Colour assessment and diagnostic (CAD) assessment
- Australian Operational Colour Vision Assessment (AOCVA).
If you pass the tier 1 test you have met the medical standards for colour vision. We will issue successful applicants an unrestricted Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate.
If you do not pass the tier 1 test, you can move on to the tier 2 test. If you pass the tier 2 test, you have met the medical standards for colour vision. We will issue successful applicants an unrestricted Class 1 or Class 2 medical.
If you do not pass the tier 2 test, you can choose to do either the CAD assessment or the AOCVA. If you pass the CAD or the AOCVA, you have met the medical standards for colour vision. We will issue successful applicants an unrestricted Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate.
If you do not pass the AOCVA we may may still issue you a medical certificate, but it will have conditions applied to it. If you do the AOCVA first, and have not passed, you will not be able to take a CAD or the AOCVA again.
You can find more information about each assessment below.
Tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 desktop assessments
You must take the assessments for colour vision in the following order:
Tier 1 – Pseudoisochromatic plates (Ishihara PIP) assessment
The Pseudoisochromatic plates (Ishihara PIP) is performed at your initial medical examination for Class 1 and Class 2 medicals.
If you:
- pass – you will receive an unrestricted Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate.
- fail – you will be recorded as being colour vision deficient and you can undertake a tier 2 assessment.
Tier 2 – Farnsworth lantern (FALANT) or Optec 900 assessments
The Farnsworth lantern or Optec 900 assessments can be booked through certified designated aviation ophthalmologists and optometrists. Find one using our medical contact search.
If you:
- pass – you will receive an unrestricted Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate.
- fail – you can undertake the tier 3 assessment – where you can choose to undertake the CAD or the AOCVA.
Tier 3 – Colour assessment and diagnostic (CAD) assessment
The CAD assessment is a computer-based test of the ability of the retina to detect colours. CAD assessments can be booked with a certified CAD assessor. Find one using our medical contact search.
If you:
- pass – you will receive an unrestricted Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate.
- fail – CASA will invite you to undertake the AOCVA.
Tier 3 operational assessment
Tier 3 – Australian operational colour vision assessment (AOCVA)
The Australian operational colour vision assessment (AOCVA) is conducted by certified flight examiners and is comprised of 3 components:
- Ground component
- Flight component – General
- Flight component – Precision approach path indicator (PAPI)
If you:
- pass – you will receive an unrestricted Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate.
- fail – you will have exhausted all your options to receive an unrestricted medical certificate and may be issued a medical certificate with restrictions relating to colour vision deficiency.
You have 2 opportunities to pass the AOCVA. If you do not pass on the second attempt, you cannot re-take the AOCVA or desktop assessments.
AOCVA eligibility
To be eligible to undertake the AOCVA, you may satisfy the following requirements:
- You did not pass the tier 1 or tier 2 assessment.
- You are encouraged to have a basic level of exposure and understanding of the aviation operational environment in daylight and night conditions.
Eligible pilots can book the AOCVA by contacting an approved AOCVA flight examiner. Find one using our Aviation medical contacts directory.
Colour vision assessment for air traffic controllers
Air traffic controllers must pass the tier 1 assessment.
Applicants do not have the option to be assessed using tier 2, 3 or the operational assessment.
If an applicant does not pass the tier 1 assessment, they are not eligible for a Class 3 medical certificate.
More information
We have released additional information for pilots, DAME/DAOs, and flight examiners about the colour vision assessment requirements.
- AOCVA – Eligibility and Test Components Part 1 and Part 2 (PDF, 245.19 KB)
- Australian operational colour vision assessment (AOCVA) application (PDF, 209.39 KB)
- CASA 23/24 Aviation colour vision assessment Determination (PDF, 84.14 KB)
- Clinical Practice Guideline – Colour Vision
- Flight Examiner Handbook Appendix A - Australian Operational Colour Vision Assessment (AOCVA) (PDF, 1.21 MB)