Converting Your Overseas Pilot Licence: A Six-Part CASA Guide

Before You Fly, You Verify

Before you begin exams, applications, or simulator refreshers, there’s one thing you must do: make sure your overseas licence meets CASA’s baseline standards. This isn’t just box-ticking—it’s the gateway to everything that follows. Miss the mark here, and the entire process grinds to a halt.

This first step is about eligibility and experience—understanding whether your licence qualifies and whether your logbook adds up.

Is Your Licence Eligible?

To convert your foreign licence into an Australian CASA licence, it must be:

Issued by an ICAO contracting state (check CASA’s list for verification)

Current and valid (no expiry or grace period)

Unrestricted—CASA will not accept licences that are:

Suspended
Cancelled
Voided
Marked as “temporary”
Carrying additional restrictions from the issuing authority

Flight Experience Requirements: Do You Have the Hours?

CASA will look closely at your:

Total flight time

Pilot-in-Command (PIC) time

Cross-country navigation time

Instrument time (simulated or actual)

These vary depending on which licence you’re applying for.

If you’re unsure whether you meet the minimums, it’s best to request a logbook assessment from a CASA-recognised flight school like Avia Aviation. They’ll help determine where you stand—and how to fill any gaps.

Your To-Do List for Step 1

✅ Check your licence status. Is it current? Is it unrestricted?

✅ Audit your logbook. Do you have the necessary hours for your target licence level?

✅ Verify ICAO recognition. Check if your issuing country is on CASA’s ICAO list: CASA’s Official Site

Still not sure? Book a licence review with Avia Aviation. We’ll guide you through it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ICAO contracting state?
It’s a country that follows international aviation standards under the International Civil Aviation Organisation. CASA only accepts licences from these nations.

Can I convert my licence if it’s expired?
No. Your foreign licence must be valid and current at the time of application.

What if my licence has a restriction like “day VFR only”?
CASA will review any limitations and may reject or restrict your conversion based on them.

Do simulator hours count toward total time?
Only in specific cases, such as instrument training with an approved device. Most flight time must be actual aircraft time.

How strict is CASA with logbook accuracy?
Very. Your logbook should be up to date, clearly legible, and able to support any claimed hours. Inconsistencies may delay or derail your application.