Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning assessment process is based on the qualification you are applying for. The assessment identifies and validates the qualifications, industry experience and relevant skills you have gained throughout your career, to determine what training, if any, is required for the qualification you are applying for.
- RTO 30770
- CASA Part 147
- Nationally recognised
- Globally portable
Aviation Australia has a two-part process for your Recognition of Prior Learning: an initial assessment that identifies your training gaps, and a final assessment once you have closed them.
How an RPL assessment runs
Before submitting your application, familiarise yourself with the RPL Evidence Guide and make sure your documentation meets its requirements. Your RPL report is issued on the evidence provided, and any outstanding evidence must be provided when you apply for the final RPL report.
Part 1: Initial RPL Assessment
The Initial RPL assessment will identify training gaps in both Theory and Practical qualifications required to obtain the relevant qualification you are seeking. Prior to submitting your Initial RPL application, please ensure that you familiarise yourself with the RPL Evidence Guide.
It is essential that all evidence is submitted with your application, as your Initial Report will be assessed on what is provided, and any further evidence will need to be submitted with the Final RPL application. Please note that once you have submitted your application for the Initial RPL, you will not be able to provide additional information.
On completion of your Initial RPL assessment, you will receive:
- The Initial RPL Report
- An information pack detailing Aviation Australia’s available training options
- Journal (SOE) sheets
- Please note: the Initial RPL will be assessed on evidence submitted with your application
Part 2: Final RPL Assessment
Price ranges from $770 to $1,350 depending upon Qualification (see information below)
Once you have completed the gap requirements identified in your Initial RPL Report, you can apply for your Final RPL assessment. When applying for the Final RPL, please ensure that all evidence and relevant currency documents are certified. On completion of your final RPL assessment, you will receive:
- The Final RPL Report
- CASA Form 465 (Aviation Australia will submit your Form 465 and Final RPL Report to CASA as applicable)
- Relevant Certificate (Certification will be issued within 30 days of the date of your Final RPL Report)
It is important to note that, if, on application, all gap requirements have not been met (as identified in your Initial RPL Report), you will be contacted by email to provide any outstanding supporting documentation/evidence within 90 days. After which, you may be required to resubmit for the Final RPL assessment and incur additional fees.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the RPL assessment take?
Applications are assessed case by case, and processing times vary depending on:
- whether all necessary supporting documents have been submitted;
- the quality of the documents submitted, so check they are clear and readable before uploading;
- the time taken to perform the required checks against the relevant standard.
Initial RPL Report
Please note that due to high demand, we are currently experiencing longer than usual processing times for Initial RPL assessments. Please allow up to 3 weeks for processing your application.
Final RPL Report
You will receive your Final RPL report within 6-8 weeks of enrolment and provision of certified copies of your supporting evidence. (Certification will be issued within 30 days of your Final RPL report).
All RPL assessments are conducted in accordance with the CASA Part 66 Manual of Standards (2023) and the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015.
What if I have outstanding evidence?
If, on application, the gap requirements identified in your initial RPL report have not been met, Aviation Australia will contact you by email for the outstanding evidence within 90 days. After that, you may be required to resubmit for the final RPL assessment and to pay additional fees.
What does the enrolment fee include?
Initial RPL report
- A report identifying the outstanding theory and practical evidence required to obtain the outcome/qualification sought
- Journal sheets to allow you to complete your practical requirements in the workplace, forms and instructions on how to map your previous practical evidence to the format required, in preparation for assessment (Assessment of this evidence is carried out in step 2 – Final RPL Report)
- An information pack detailing the training options available through Aviation Australia to achieve the qualification/outcome sought
Final RPL report:
- Assessment of your evidence in full (theory verified and mapped practical evidence assessed) and issuance of report confirming all requirements have been met (Regulatory Requirement for CASA outcomes)
- Issue of CASA Form 465, if applicable
- Issue of Certification for Qualification
Do I upload my practical work records (JOE/SOE) for the Initial RPL assessment?
No, practical evidence must be mapped as per the instructions provided at the conclusion of the Initial RPL report.
Can Aviation Australia convert my foreign AME licence to a CASR Part 66 licence?
In some instances yes; in accordance with our CASR Part 147 MTO Certificate of Approval we are approved to conduct RPL from certain licences. Anything outside of this then the full regulatory requirements apply – please see the CASR Part 66 Manual of Standards (66.A.25) for more information as well as our Foreign Licence Conversion Information document.
Can Aviation Australia RPL an aircraft type?
No, we are not approved to conduct RPL on type.
Can I use EASA Part 66 examination credits towards a CASR Part 66 licence?
Yes, as long as they are not over 10 years old at point of certification/application for licence.
I hold qualifications from another industry sector, am I able to utilise these for RPL against the regulatory basic knowledge examinations?
No. RPL credit for CASR Part 66 basic knowledge (the modular exams) can only be given if a candidate has CAR 31 CASA Basic and/or EASA/CASR Part 66 exam credits from a Part 147 MTO, and they are not over 10 years old at the point of certification/application for a licence.
However, we may be able to use your qualifications and experience to give RPL against the practical units of competency from within the chosen qualification.
How does Aviation Australia certify to CASA?
Aviation Australia utilises the CASA Form 465 to notify CASA of regulatory training outcomes.
Can Australian Defence Force Aircraft Technicians be given credit against certain licences or modules?
Credits for Australian Defence Force Aircraft Technicians against CASR Part 66 Basic Knowledge Modules
No, unfortunately not. RPL credit for CASR Part 66 basic knowledge (the modular exams) can only be given if a candidate has CAR 31 CASA Basic and/or EASA/CASR Part 66 exam credits from a Part 147 MTO and they are not over 10 years old at the point of certification/application for licence.
Credits for Australian Defence Force Aircraft Technicians against CASR Part 66 B1 or B2 Licence
Yes, subject to provision of evidence as part of the RPL assessment.
Can someone just take a quick look at my qualifications and experience without me going through the RPL process?
Unfortunately not. Without conducting a full and extensive RPL assessment, we are unable to give advice on individual circumstance.
| Qualification | Initial RPL Assessment | Final RPL AssessmentFinal RPL Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| CASR Part 66 B1 (Mechanical) Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence/Diploma of Aeroskills (Mechanical) MEA50219 | $770 per sub-category | $1,350* |
| CASR Part 66 B2 (Avionics) Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence/Diploma of Aeroskills (Avionics) MEA50118 | $770 | $1,350 |
| CASR Part 66 B1 and B2 Category Licence Exclusion Removal | $770 | $770 |
| DASR MAML Licence Exclusion Removal | $770 | $770 |
| Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical) MEA40718 | $770 | $1,090 |
| Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Avionics) MEA40618 | $770 | $1,090 |
| Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Structures) MEA41322 | $770 | $1,090 |
| Certificate III in Aircraft Surface Finishing MEA30118 | $770 | $770 |
| Modular Licensing | $770 | $1,350 |
| MEA20418 Certificate II in Aeroskills | $770 | $770 |
| MEA Aeroskills Individual Units of Competency | $770 | $770 |
