Convert your foreign AME licence to an Australian Part 66 licence

You may be able to convert your foreign aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licence to an Australian Part 66 licence if your licence is current and issued by an ICAO member state.

The pathway to an Australian Part 66 licence depends on where your licence was issued.

If your licence is from the UK or USA

We recognise aircraft maintenance engineer licences from these countries:

  • United Kingdom (UK)
  • United States of America (USA).

We may recognise more countries in future as we assess them.

What you must do to get your licence

You may be eligible to obtain an Australian Part 66 aircraft maintenance engineer licence based on your existing overseas qualifications and experience. To be considered, you must meet the following criteria:

  • your licence is current and issued by your country’s national aviation authority (NAA). We will verify this with your NAA
  • you have recent experience exercising the privileges of your foreign licence
  • you may also need to pass additional exams, such as human factors.

In addition, you must:

  • meet the English language requirements
  • demonstrate recent maintenance experience
  • show you understand Australian aviation legislation.

Note: Aircraft type ratings can only be added to your Australian licence if they are listed in Appendix IX of the Part 66 Manual of Standards.

Book an exam

You can sit the exams before you register and apply. You must sit the exams in Australia.

Module 10 exams will be a minimum requirement for all candidates. If you hold a licence from the USA you will also need to complete Module 9 exams unless you provide evidence of having completed human factors training.

Our exam provider, Aspeq, conducts basic knowledge module exams on our behalf.

When you are ready to sit a module exam, you can attend any of the designated exam sitting locations across the country. Visit the Aspeq website for more information on:

  • how to book an exam
  • what to do if you fail an exam
  • exam fees
  • exam schedules
  • exam venues.

Applying for an Australian Part 66 licence

You must follow the steps below:

  1. Get an aviation reference number (ARN)

    You can apply for your ARN through the myCASA portal. You need to create an account if you have not used the myCASA portal before.

    Learn more about applying for an ARN.

  2. Pay the application fee

    You will need to provide proof of payment with your completed application.

  3. Complete the AME Foreign Recognised State (FRS) application form

    Before submitting your completed:

    Ensure you also include:

    • a certified copy of your foreign licence
    • copies of your experience logs and authorisations
    • evidence that you passed the Australian aviation legislation exams (Module 10 multiple-choice and essay)
    • verification from your national aviation authority — we must receive and confirm it before we issue your licence
    • proof of payment. You must pay the fee before you submit your application. See fees and charges.

    If you need assistance with your application, contact us.

If your licence is not from the UK or USA

If your licence is not from the UK or USA, you may still be able to get an Australian Part 66 licence through a Part 147 Maintenance Training Organisation (MTO).

The MTO must hold CASA approval to conduct licence category training and RPL assessments for certain foreign licences.

Your MTO will complete a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment. Once you meet the training and experience requirements, the MTO will send us a report. You can then apply for your Part 66 licence using:

If you are licensed in New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand have a mutual recognition arrangement under The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA) 1997. This allows each country to recognise regulatory standards for occupations from the other country.

What this means for you

You cannot work in Australia using your New Zealand aircraft maintenance engineer licence alone.

The TTMRA allows us to issue you an Australian equivalent Part 66 licence, based on your New Zealand aircraft maintenance engineer licence held.

Issuing an Australian Part 66 licence

If you hold a New Zealand aircraft maintenance engineer licence, we can issue you an Australian Part 66 licence under the TTMRA.

You must apply to CASA and meet any applicable exam and application requirements.

Applying for an equivalent Australian Part 66 licence

You must follow the steps below:

  1. Get an aviation reference number (ARN)

    You will need an ARN to include on the application form. You can apply for your ARN through the myCASA portal. 

    You need to create an account if you have not used the myCASA portal before.

  2. Complete your application

    Download and complete the application form:

  3. Submit your application

    Email the completed application form to the email address listed on the form. Ensure you include the required evidence – see Section 11 Advisory Circular AC 66-06.

More information

For more information about:

Related content

Related rules and publications

Last updated:
3 Jul 2026
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//licences-and-certificates/maintenance-engineers/convert-your-foreign-ame-licence-australian-part-66-licence
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