CASA

Updated 06 Jan 2025

Description : 

CASA issues skills assessments to aircraft pilots applying to the Department of Home Affairs for General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.  

Criteria : 

To start the skills assessment process, you must meet several key requirements:

Firstly, you need Australian flight crew qualifications that meet local standards for pilots.

• You must also hold a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) or an Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) issued by CASA, which validates your training for operating aircraft in Australia.
• Additionally, you must fulfill more criteria for the skills assessment:
• A minimum level of 4 in the Aviation English Language Proficiency (AELP) assessment is required to ensure effective communication in aviation.
• You must also pass a background security check to meet safety standards in the aviation industry.
• If you lack Australian qualifications, you will need to convert your overseas qualifications to meet local standards, which may involve additional assessments.
• This conversion might require travel to Australia for medical exams, assessments, and a flight test to demonstrate your flying skills.

Documents you must include:
Documents you must provide with the application are certified true copies of:

• Evidence of at least five years flying at the professional level,
• Written evidence of work done in your field of flying expertise ( this must include referee or statement of service letters from previous Aviation employers etc ),
• Certified copies of log book openings showing flying evidence relevant to past employers you worked for,
• Any other relevant information that CASA may use to assess your application (lack of evidence may detract from the skills assessment letter),
• Last completed log book page of flying experience.

General English Language Proficiency (GELP) for Aeronautical Radio Use

If you need to use an aeronautical radio, you must demonstrate General English Language Proficiency (GELP).

Purpose of GELP:

• GELP assesses your everyday English skills, not your aviation terminology knowledge.
• It's for individuals starting flight training or needing to use aviation air-band radios.
• GELP is sufficient for specific licenses/certificates, such as a Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) without a flight radio endorsement, and an Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate (AROC).

When is a GELP Assessment Required?

A GELP assessment may be necessary for:

• RPL holders without a 'flight radio endorsement.'
• Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) holders.
• Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate (AROC) applicants.

GELP Assessment Process:

Step 1: Find an Assessor

A GELP assessment must be conducted by one of the following:

• A CASA delegate.
• A flight examiner with English language assessment approval.
• A person approved to conduct GELP assessments.
• A Head of Operations of a flight training organization.
• A Grade 1 instructor authorized by the Head of Operations.
• The Chief Remote Pilot (CRP) of a RePL training organization.
• A RePL training instructor authorized by the CRP.

Step 2: Provide Evidence of English Language Proficiency

You must provide evidence that you:

• Have completed or are completing secondary school in Australia or New Zealand, or an equivalent in an English-speaking country.
• Have worked in Australia or New Zealand for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
• Have worked in a specified country for at least 3 of the last 5 years AND passed an English language proficiency test.
• Have passed an English language proficiency test.
• Have completed a CASA-approved English language proficiency (ELP) course.

The assessor must verify the authenticity of your evidence.

Step 3: English Language Proficiency Test Results

If you are providing results from an English language test, your results must meet the following minimums:

English Requirements Table:

Name of Test	Speaking	listening	Reading	writing
IELTS	5.5	5.0	5.0	5.0
TOEIC	160	350	300	140

• TOEFL iBT: 71
• TOEFL CBT: 197
• TOEFL PBT: 530
• Or, you are assessed by a CASA-approved assessor as meeting the requirements of Schedule 2 of the CASR Part 61 MOS.

Step 4: Assessor Interview

• You will be interviewed by an assessor for 20-30 minutes.
• You must provide written evidence of your language proficiency.
• You and the assessor must be able to understand each other.

The Interview will assess your ability to:

• Pronounce words clearly with an understandable accent.
• Convey information clearly and structured, avoiding confusion or ambiguity.
• Use appropriate vocabulary for general and technical topics, avoiding excessive jargon, slang, and colloquialisms.
• Speak fluently without excessive pauses, repetition, or false starts.
• Demonstrate understanding through appropriate responses.
• Exchange information effectively in various situations with both expert and non-expert English speakers, providing timely and relevant responses.
• Use communication techniques like questioning, non-verbal cues, and paraphrasing to confirm understanding.

Guidelines:

Application for Aircraft Pilot:

FAQ

Contact Details:

[phone] 
[e-mail].

CASA National Headquarters
Street address
16 Furzer Street
Phillip ACT 2606

Postal
GPO Box 2005
Canberra ACT 2601