Converting Canadian ATPL to Australia

[MD11]

Has anyone recently converted their ATPL to CASA in Australia? From information I have gathered no airline will sponsor you and the only way to be eligible for an application is to obtain a work permit or right to live in Australia.

Apart from the challenges of that, how is the process in 2024 of converting the license? Cost, timeline, number of exams? Is it a realistic possibility to be hired by an airline with the requirements completed? I know Aussies are protective of their own but I was told by a recruiter that having airline experience and well over 1500 hrs is very competitive. Pay and conditions in AU are quite good but how is the environment in the flight deck and training?

Thanks in advance for any insights.

[sens09_11]

Currently flying in Australia for my 3rd summer season. Aerial application. Every year we come down on backpacker visas and then just get a certificate of validation on our license, which is a pretty simple process.

To convert I believe there are 2 written examinations and a flight test. Casa is much easier to get a hold of then transport canada which is nice. For the airline side I’m sure you’d have trouble getting sponsored, but that’s just an opinion.

Cheers

B

[MD11]

Currently flying in Australia for my 3rd summer season. Aerial application. Every year we come down on backpacker visas and then just get a certificate of validation on our license, which is a pretty simple process.

To convert I believe there are 2 written examinations and a flight test. Casa is much easier to get a hold of then transport canada which is nice. For the airline side I’m sure you’d have trouble getting sponsored, but that’s just an opinion.

Cheers

B

Thanks for the info! I may have an opportunity to be privately sponsored and one airline said as long as I have the requirements that it would likely get an interview.

[sicamore]

It's not too hard, I did it a few years back. It was just the law test then and a flight test. Things might have changed but the flight test had to be in an aircraft over 12500lbs or a class D ffs. Which can be a hurdle. If you have the contact you might be able to negotiate your type PPC as part of the atpl check ride as well. I've done that in a couple of countries and the regulators don't care either way.

Watch out for the medical though, their medicals made the Canadian medical look like a check box exercise

[Arnie Pye]

My info is a few years old now.

Good news is that last time I looked, Pilots were on the immigration list as skilled applicants to go to the front of the line. If you have enough points to immigrate and you don't have a family to immigrate with you, it's not so bad. It was a little pricy if you are taking a whole family but it is far less expensive than US immigration.

All that's required is to write two exams (air law and IFR??) and do a flight test. You'll have to go to a flight school and do a multi-IFR in a piston twin which may take some refresher training if you've only been flying turbines with glass cockpits for a few years. No simulator companies will rent to an individual from what I can remember so renting a 737 sim is not an option.

After this, you too can apply to Bonza or Koala or whom ever you want to. Last I heard Qantas was still only hiring a trickle of applicants per month so I wouldn't be waiting by the phone for them to call.

[Stratopaused]

I wouldn't be waiting by the phone for Bonza to call either...