Become a DAME or DAO

Medical practitioners and ophthalmologists seeking appointment must apply to CASA for approval. This applies to those who want to become a:

  • designated aviation medical examiner (DAME)
  • designated aviation ophthalmologist (DAO).

The designation period for initial appointments (designations) is 4 years. Reappointment designation periods consider continuing professional development (CPD) activities and can range from 1 to 4 years.

Optometrists must contact Optometry Australia to apply for appointment or reappointment as a credentialed optometrist.

Before you apply

Before you apply to become a DAME or DAO, you must:

This includes meeting all conditions of appointment under either the:

  • DAME conditions of appointment
  • DAO conditions of appointment.

If you have any questions, or need help throughout the application process, contact us.

Supporting documents for your initial application

You must provide supporting documents with your application.

We encourage you to use myCASA to submit your application where you can upload your attachments within the application. 

You must get some of your documents certified as 'true copies' before you scan them.

Find people who can certify documents.

New DAME application documents

  • Copy of your current medical practitioner’s registration.
  • Certified copy of your aviation medicine qualification.
  • Copy of your CASA Aviation Medicine Regulatory Course certificate.
  • Copy of your passport sized colour photograph.
  • Copy of your curriculum vitae (CV).

New DAO application documents

  • Copy of your current medical practitioner’s registration.
  • Certified copy of your aviation medicine qualification or training course.
  • Certified copy of your fellowship papers (FRANZCO or equivalent).
  • Copy of your passport sized colour photograph.
  • Copy of your curriculum vitae (CV).

New locum or alternative DAME / DAO application documents

  • Copy of your medical practitioner’s registration.
  • Certified copy of your approved aviation medicine qualification (DAME only).
  • Certified copy of fellowship (FRANZCO or equivalent) (DAO only).

How to submit your application

You can submit your application to us through myCASA. To make it easier to interact with us securely, we are moving all our forms to myCASA and will gradually remove them from our website.

  1. Log into myCASA

    Log into myCASA or create a myCASA account.

  2. Find the form

    Use the search bar at the top of the page to find:

    • Application for appointment or reappointment as designated aviation medical examiner or designated aviation ophthalmologist form 755

    You can search by keyword or form number.

  3. Complete the form

    Open the form and complete the fields in myCASA.

    Attach any relevant information.

  4. Submit your application

    Submit your application through myCASA.

  5. After you apply

    You will receive an email from myCASA confirming your application and a copy of the information you provided.

    Applications usually take between 7 and 14 days to process. We may ask for more information or additional supporting documentation. This can extend the processing time.

    If we approve your application, we'll issue you with a Certificate of Designation. If we don't approve your application, or have further questions, we'll contact you.

    If you disagree with an outcome, you can:

    For more information, see:

You can also download and complete the PDF using our forms search.

Related content

Last updated:
23 Jul 2025
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//licences-and-certificates/medical-professionals/becoming-dame-or-dao/become-dame-or-dao
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