Refer CASR 67.265 and CASR 67.270.
CASA requires medical certificate holders who experience any medically significant changes in medical condition to inform CASA or a DAME of such changes.
The information is required to be conveyed to CASA or a DAME after the applicant has been aware of the change:
- for a Class 1 medical certificate holder, for longer than seven days
- for a Class 2 medical certificate holder, for longer than 30 days
- for a Basic Class 2 medical certificate holder, for longer than 30 days
- for a Class 3 medical certificate holder, for longer than 30 days.
Then the DAME is required to notify CASA of the matter within five working days. Refer CASR 67.125. Notification to CASA must be via online MRS.
A licence holder must not perform any act authorised by the licence while he or she has a medically significant condition which impairs his or her ability to do the act. Before resuming the exercise of privileges under the licence, the licence holder must obtain prior confirmation of fitness from a DAME, as follows:
- for a Class 1 licence holder, where the medically significant condition has been present for longer than seven days
- for a Class 2 licence holder, where the medically significant condition has been present for longer than 30 days
- for a Basic Class 2 licence holder, where the medically significant condition has been present for longer than 30 days
- for a Class 3 licence holder, where the medically significant condition has been present for longer than 30 days.
A DAME usually need not perform a full medical examination in these circumstances, but should satisfy him/herself that the applicant has recovered from the illness, injury or other medically significant condition and meets the required medical standard for exercise of the privileges of any licence held. Published guidance must be followed such as the Clinical practice guidelines. If the confirmation of fitness is questionable or outside of the published guidelines, DAMEs should liaise with CASA to determine the best approach.
Licence holders who fail to observe these requirements may be subject to heavy penalties, so DAMEs should take every opportunity to emphasise these legal requirements to them. Pilots should also be made aware of the potential for other consequences such as insurance status.
Note: Clearance should only be issued after complete recovery—not in anticipation.
Note: Notification to CASA by DAMEs, DAOs and COs must be made using MRS Medical Assessment Report facility. It is strongly recommended the pilot/controller is given a letter confirming their status, using the MRS-supplied templates for this purpose.
Common minor self-limiting conditions
Certain trivial conditions in medical certificate holders need not be reported to CASA unless present at an applicant's routine medical assessment. However, DAMEs are to advise applicants that these conditions must have resolved fully, without sequelae, prior to applicants resuming the exercise of privileges. Common examples include the following:
- influenza, coryza, other URTI
- cough in the absence of wheezing
- sinusitis
- occasional, mild headaches
- uncomplicated urinary tract infection
- gastroenteritis
- uncomplicated haemorrhoid(s) if not bleeding and requiring only symptomatic treatment
- mild allergic rhinitis, if no nasal blockage present and no antihistamine treatment required
- minor soft tissue injuries without residual pain
- muscular pain of short duration not requiring long-term medication and not related to any significant underlying chronic illness
- dysmenorrhoea not requiring medication or absence from work
- treated chronic fungal nail infections
- dental extractions.