Actions CASA will take to improve pilot licensing rules in Australia includes reviewing pilot training and flight testing under the General Aviation Workplan (GA Workplan).
Updated:
Display which date?
Last updated date
Last updated
Introduction
The refreshed General Aviation Workplan 2025 builds on the foundation laid by the original 2022 plan, continuing our commitment to safely reduce regulatory and cost burdens for general aviation operators – particularly those in regional and remote Australia.
This updated Workplan is a key commitment in the Australian Government’s 2024 Aviation White Paper, reflecting the evolving needs of the sector and incorporating valuable feedback from industry stakeholders gathered throughout 2024.
General aviation plays a vital role in connecting communities, supporting emergency services, and contributing to Australia’s economy. Since the launch of the original Workplan, we’ve completed 14 key initiatives while maintaining our core regulatory responsibilities.
These achievements have helped simplify processes, improve safety outcomes, and support the sustainability of general aviation operations.
The 2025 Workplan introduces new initiatives and carries forward 4 ongoing measures from the previous plan.
It focuses on 5 key categories: improving pilot licensing rules, streamlining airworthiness and maintenance, simplifying health arrangements, increasing sport and recreational opportunities, and driving continuous improvement across the sector.
Each initiative is designed to be practical, achievable, and aligned with the real-world needs of operators, pilots, engineers, and aviation organisations.
We’ve also introduced a more structured approach to implementation, including scoping activities to assess feasibility, complexity, and potential benefits. This ensures that reforms are well-targeted, deliver meaningful outcomes, and are supported by clear timelines and industry consultation.
General Aviation Workplan 2025
The original General Aviation (GA) Workplan launched in 2022 with the aim to safely reduce regulatory and cost burdens on smaller general aviation operators, particularly in regional and remote Australia.
We have updated the Workplan with new initiatives and carried over 4 measures from the previous plan.
It takes industry feedback into account and still recognises the important role general aviation plays in Australian society, regional connections and the economy.
Priorities for general aviation
In 2024, we spoke with industry to update the Workplan. We discussed:
- opportunities to streamline rules affecting the carriage of passengers on non-standard transport operations
- improving pilot licensing rules
- simplifying medical arrangements
- solutions to address skills shortages.
Categories
We have grouped the Workplan into the following categories:
- improving pilot licensing rules
- airworthiness and maintenance
- simplifying health arrangements
- increasing sport and recreational opportunities
- continuous improvement for general aviation.
They cover topics such as:
- recognition of qualifications
- streamlining flight examiner rating approvals
- Class 4 medical progression
- passenger and cargo transport operations
- rationalising airworthiness directives to avoid duplication.
What we’ve achieved so far
Some of the key achievements we have completed as part of 2022 Workplan include:
- Class 5 medical scheme
- expanded delivery of examiner proficiency checks and flight examiner rating courses to industry
- improved competency standards for flight examiners
- changes to stall speed limits for light aircraft aeroplanes under approved self-administering aviation organisations.
What we’re working on
Projects and changes we’re still working on include:
- Part 43 maintenance changes for private and aerial work operators
- a proposal to give sport and recreational aviation more access to Class C and Class D airspace
- improving the supply of licensed aircraft maintenance engineers (LAMEs), including the introduction of modular licensing
- recognising maintenance licences from certain foreign states.
Proposals and timelines
Work has already begun to implement some of the new proposals in the updated Workplan.
We have detailed below the initiatives we're considering, along with our draft 3-to-5-year timeline.
For some initiatives a scoping activity will be completed so proposed actions are both practical and beneficial. This will help determine the feasibility of each initiative by assessing whether it can be realistically implemented within existing regulatory, technical, and resource constraints.
It also evaluates the complexity of the work involved, including potential interdependencies with other reforms or systems.
By conducting this thorough analysis upfront, CASA can make informed decisions about prioritisation, allocate resources effectively, and set realistic timeframes for implementation, ultimately ensuring that reforms deliver meaningful improvements without unintended consequences.
We'll carefully review proposed changes and consult with the industry before implementing them. This also allows us to adapt and adjust priorities as needed.
We’ll continue to update the workplan as we make progress.
Feedback on the plan and our priorities
We welcome feedback and suggestions from you. If there is an issue you think we should consider as part of our Workplan, let us know by sending us your suggestions.
In this publication
Table of contents