Charges for CASA services – answers to common questions

Why is CASA charging for regulatory services?

CASA is obliged to recover costs for regulatory services in line with the Australian Government's cost recovery policy.

What hourly rates apply to CASA regulatory services?

The hourly rates are $100, $130, $160 and $190. The two lowest rates apply to services that are predominantly administrative in nature or require only a small degree of technical skill to provide them. The top two hourly rates apply where specialist technical expertise is required.

$160 or $190 per hour?

If any hourly rate service is requested for or in relation to a high capacity Air Operators Certificate (AOC) aircraft, in the 'interests of the safety of air navigation' the service must be provided by a senior CASA officer, or by a CASA officer with particular experience or qualifications as per Sub-regulation 4 (2) (b) of the Fee Regulations, the $190 hourly rate will be charged, including all chargeable administration time.

'Provided by' means that a senior CASA officer, or a CASA officer with particular experience or qualifications must provide, or directly oversee the provision of, the service.

'High capacity aircraft', is defined in Civil Aviation Order 82.2, as an AOC aircraft: 'that is, certified as having a maximum seating capacity exceeding 38 seats or a maximum payload exceeding 4,200 kilograms'.

Therefore, except for some specific $130 and $100 fee items, any regulatory service item, provided for or in relation to a high capacity AOC aircraft, and marked HR in the Fees Regulations, must be charged at the $190 per hour rate. This rate is to also apply to all chargeable administration support.

In addition to the above information, it has been determined that the HR of $190 per hour be charged for the services of an Air Transport (AT) Flying Operations Inspector (FOI) for items 13.1, 13.2, 13.4 and 13 .5 of Schedule 1 (Civil Aviation (Fees) Regulations 1995).

The determination of the $190 fee is based on the safety policy position adopted by CASA in relation to the operations of high capacity AOC aircraft.

The $160 hourly rate is to be charged in all instances where the service does not fall under one of the items for which the $100 per hour or $130 per hour rates apply or the service is not in relation to a high capacity AOC aircraft or does not require a senior CASA officer as described above.

When do fixed fees apply?

Fixed fees apply for a range of regulatory services. Fixed fees are appropriate where the time taken to provide a service does not vary significantly from one operator to another and a standard can be applied equitably to all applicants.

The minimum fixed fee is $25.

Can people choose the cheapest hourly rate for their work?

No. CASA will determine which hourly rate applies to the provision of particular services based on the skills, expertise and time required to complete them.

How have the fees been set?

CASA engaged the services of external consultants to help develop a detailed cost model used to determine fee rates, based on the cost and time required to complete services. This costing process derived hourly rates for each of CASA's regulatory services, which were then rationalised to four hourly rates to reduce complexity and excessive administration.

Did CASA consult on the changes to fees relating to the new Maintenance suite of CASR Parts?

CASA prepared a draft Cost Recovery Impact Statement (CRIS), explaining the proposed fee changes and their rationale.  Industry comments on the draft CRIS were invited up until 31 May 2011.

What feedback did CASA receive throughout the consultation process?

Industry comments were general in nature, varying from support for the user charges approach through to no support for the user charges approach and for government to fully fund CASA.  There were no specific comments about the new fees supporting the maintenance suite of CASR Parts.

Does CASA charge for domestic travel?

The cost of domestic travel (including airfares and accommodation) is not chargeable. However, domestic travel time for CASA officers is chargeable at the relevant hourly rate.  Travel time includes time spent on flights or driving to the job.

Client will not be disadvantaged for CASA not having specialised staff in a particular regional office.  For example if CASA sends an Flight Operations Inspector (FOI) from Brisbane to Port Hedland then the cost of domestic travel time will only start from Perth – the closest office to Port Hedland.

Does CASA charge for overseas travel?

Overseas travel costs such as flights and accommodation are to be charged, in addition to the hours spent travelling and performing the service. Civil Aviation (Fees) Regulations 1995 Part 4 (6) and 6(A) states if the provision of a service by CASA requires a CASA officer or a person on CASA’s behalf to travel outside Australia, there is an additional fee for the provision of the service equal to the reasonable cost of that travel and any reasonably necessary meals, accommodation and incidental expenses for the officer or person.

What fees apply for flight crew licensing services?

A charge of $25 is payable for printing a flight crew examination record or a copy of a flight crew licence. A charge of $25 is also be payable for reprinting an updated flight crew licence.

You will also need to pay a $25 fee if you wish to obtain an updated copy of your licence showing initial or renewed rating details or a new aircraft endorsement.

Do I have to get an updated copy of my licence if I gain a new rating or endorsement?

You are not obliged to get an updated copy of your licence showing initial or renewed rating details or a new aircraft endorsement.

In deciding whether or not you wish to obtain an updated licence, you should keep in mind that you are not legally required to maintain a current copy of your licence in order to exercise the privileges conferred by any rating or endorsement which you have obtained.

As long as they have been validly entered in your log book by a CASA delegate (such as an Approved Testing Officer or CASA officer) you are free to exercise the privileges conferred by those ratings and endorsements.

If you intend to undertake flying operations outside of Australia (either employed by a foreign airline or an Australian airline operating international flights), you should make your own enquiries about whether you need to carry an up to date Australian flight crew licence.

How much does CASA charge for medicals?

Medical fees are charged at a fixed rate of $75. This rate reflects the time and resources required to provide the service.

What is CASA doing to improve the service it provides?

CASA has been working actively with industry to improve service levels across the spectrum of licensing and registration services.  Minimum service delivery standards have been introduced for all of CASA's business areas. This means there are now standards governing the quality of service you can expect to receive and the length of time it should take for a service to be completed.

CASA will, of course, continue to look for new and more efficient ways of doing business.

How much is CASA raising with these fees?

CASA’s regulatory fees are capped at $15m, consistent with the Government’s Aviation White Paper.

What is happening with the fuel excise and taxes? Are people being charged twice?

Nobody is charged twice. CASA is charging for regulatory services only. Fuel excise and government appropriation fund CASA's many other activities, including safety promotion, education and surveillance.

Is CASA making a profit?

No. CASA is required to recover costs for the provision of regulatory services only and does not make a profit from cost recovery.