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Applying for your air operator's certificate
If you operate a commercial operation, you will probably need an air operator’s certificate (AOC). The following information will tell you if you need to get your operator’s certificate, and how to apply for one.
Do you need an operator’s certificate?
The following documents will tell you what you need to know before you apply for your air operator’s certificate.
- What is an operator’s certificate?
- Who needs one?
- What are the requirements?
- Aircraft descriptions on AOCs.
If you need more information, contact the Permission Application Centre on 131 757 or by email at regservices@casa.gov.au.
What do you want to do?
- Apply for an initial certificate
- Vary your existing certificate
- Renew your existing certificate
- Apply for a certificate with ANZA privileges
- Replace a lost or damaged certificate
If you don’t know whether you need an operator’s certificate, please contact the Permission Application Centre on 131 757 or by email at regservices@casa.gov.au.
International operations
If you’re a foreign operator, you can find information on applications and requirements needed for foreign aircraft operations on our international operations page.
Air Operator's Certificate Manual Suite
Manual
Learn the national standard procedure for processing an AOC application including its related permissions by reading through the process manual.
Handbooks
You can find more information about how to apply for your air operator’s certificate by reading the handbooks listed below:
- AOC handbook volume 1 — General matters
- AOC handbook volume 2 — Flying operations
- AOC handbook volume 3 — Airworthiness
- AOC handbook volume 4 — Specialist areas
- AOC handbook volume 5 — International operations (Foreign air transport operators)
Forms
You can find a list of forms that you’ll need for your application on our air operator's certificate forms page.
Understanding the regulations
The following documents will help you understand how to comply with the regulations.
- Civil Aviation Act 1988
- Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) 1998
- Civil Aviation Orders (CAO)
- Civil Aviation (Fees) Regulations 1995
You can find guidance material about some regulations and regulatory requirements on our advisory circulars page.
Support for air operators
You can find more information about air operator’s certificates below.
- Search for an air operator’s certificate
- Flying ops contacts
- Seminars
- Permission application centre
- Manual authoring and assessment tool (MAAT). This is a free online tool to you write your expositions and manuals.
Last modified: 13 August 2018