Australian Aviation Medical Requirements

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority issues licences in Australia and medical certificates are issued by designated aviation medical examiners (DAMEs), overseen by the Aviation Medicine Branch of CASA.

CASA issues two classes of Medical Certificates and each class of medical certificate also has a medical standard set out in tables in Part 67 of the CASR.

Class 1
This medical standard applies to holders of an Air Transport Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence (other than balloons), Multi-crew Pilot (aeroplane) Licence, Flight Engineer Licence or Student Flight Engineer Licence. The Medical Certificate is valid for one year.

Class 2
This medical applies to holders of a Student Pilot Licence, Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot (Balloon) Licence and Flight Radio Operator Licence. The Medical Certificate is valid for four years for applicants under 40 years old and two years for those over 40.

The following process applies.This information is provided by CASA

Step 1: ARN
Obtain an Aviation Reference Number (ARN) if you don’t already have one. An ARN will effectively become your licence number.

Step 2: Find a DAME / Book the appointment
Some DAME’s are able to assess and provide a Medical Certificate for certain Class 2 applications. (These are called DAME2 assessors). Pilots with excluded medical problems and certain conditions on their Medical Certificate must have their applications submitted to CASA in the usual way. View the exclusions list in Chapter 12.3 of the the DAME Handbook.

All other applications (i.e. Class 1 and 2, Class 3, Class 2) are submitted to CASA for assessment in the usual way.

Locate a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) to carry out your medical.

When you book the appointment, tell the receptionist that you require a CASA aviation medical. For DAME2 medicals, you must give at least 2 working days’ notice.
For DAME2 medicals, you must request a Medical Background Report from CASA at least 2 working days before your appointment. (Remember to check for ACT statutory holidays).This will be emailed direct to your named DAME. Go to 4.
For all other medicals, please go to 4.
Ask for information on the additional tests that are required for the class of licence that you are applying for (class 1, 2 )

Step 3: Obtain additional tests
Professional classes of Medical Certificate require periodic tests (and sometimes special surveillance reports, which will have been notified when the previous Medical Certificate was issued).

In most cases, having the additional tests before your DAME appointment will save time in the medical certification process. The Practice staff will be able to assist you with any referrals or information you may require.

Step 4: The appointment
You will need to take with you:

• Your ARN
• Photographic identification
• The results from any additional testing (refer to step 3)
• Your credit card details for the CASA fee
• DAME appointment fee

The DAME will conduct your medical examination. If you have not yet had the additional testing, the DAME will refer you for these and any others that you may need. Your medical will not be processed until results from all required tests are received. It is the responsibility of the DAME to send your medical and all test results to CASA.

Step 5: Payment of fees
For all information relating to payments, refer to the Payment for processing medical certificates page.

Step 6: Making an enquiry about your medical
Your DAME is required to submit your medical examination and test results within 14 days of completion (this includes receipt of any additional tests required).

You can enquire about the status of your medical application by phoning 131 757 or by email to avmed@casa.gov.au.

For more detailed information why not go straight to the CASA website?