General Directions

A General Direction is a notice we issue after consultation, which specifies requirements for applicants of a medical certificate.

Timetable for Routine Examinations

15 Nov 2021 (effective 3 Dec 2021)

Please see General Directions (GD) for Timing of Routine Examinations below. Under section 27G of the Act, the Director may, by notice in the Gazette, issue general directions in relation to specifying the requirements of examinations, including the medical content, reporting requirements, interpretation and analysis or other clinical matters.

The GD for Timing of Examinations has not been updated since 2009. Some changes from the 2009 GD include amending various schedules, the removal of the requirement to undertake spirometry for first general examination for a Class 2 or Class 3 certificate and introducing a requirement to undertake spirometry for Class 1 applicants at age 55 who have smoked in the past 5 years, instead of age 46 and 56 for those who have ever smoked.  The revised GD’s also include the introduction of a special vision examination for Class 1 and Class 3 applicants from age 50 onwards, as vision issues are common beyond this age.

Notification of General Direction 2021

In accordance with section 27G(1) of the Civil Aviation Act 1990, General Direction – Timetable of Routine Examinations.

These General Directions (GD), Timing of Routine Examinations, is an updated revision of the published 2009 GD of the same name. Changes from the 2009 GD are:

• Amended schedule of ECG recordings for Class 1, 2 and 3 applicants as medical evidence generally does not support routine screening by ECG;
• Amended schedule of cardiovascular assessments for all classes, as the CVR estimation calculator used provides a 5-year risk estimation;
• Amended schedule of blood glucose and blood lipid determination for all classes, to generally, coincide with CV risk estimation;
• Amended schedule of formal audiometry assessments for all classes, as a well conducted voice test can reliably detect hearing loss that may be of aeromedical significance. This, excepted for applicants aged over 70 when the scheduled is increased;
• Removal of the requirement to undertake spirometry for first general examination for a Class 2 or Class 3 certificate;
• Requirement to undertake spirometry for Class 1 applicants at age 55 who have smoked in the past 5 years, instead of age 46 and 56 for those who have ever smoked; and
• Introduction of a special vision examinations for Class 1 and Class 3 applicants from age 60 onwards, as vision issues are common beyond this age.

General Directions for Timing of Routine Examinations [PDF 500 KB]

Temporary medical conditions

This General Direction provides exceptions to the reporting requirements set out in section 27C of the Act for temporary medical conditions. It provides practical guidance on what temporary medical conditions are not necessary for medical certificate holders to report. These exceptions to reporting requirements only apply to participants who hold a current medical certificate. All other applicants must still disclose their medical conditions for the purposes of the medical examination referred to in section 27D (1) of the Act.

General Directions Exceptions for Temporary Medical Conditions [PDF 325 KB]

Consultation

We're seeking feedback on the General Directions for Exceptions for Temporary Medical Conditions, which was last updated in 2019. Submissions close 20 January 2024.

Consultation - GD Exceptions for Temporary Medical Conditions

Colour vision deficiency

The General Direction on Colour Vision Deficiency sets the conditions for pilots who have a colour vision deficiency. It represents a shift in operational policy towards pilots with impaired colour vision, allowing these pilots to demonstrate competency through assessments and flight tests. This provides an opportunity to show they can operate an aircraft safely despite their vision deficiency.

It enables pilots with CVD to apply to undertake a new Operational Colour Vision Assessment (OCVA) and, if successful, remove restrictions on their Class 1 and Class 2 medical certificates. It may apply in certain circumstance to pilots with DL9 medical certificates.

Colour Vision Deficiency - General Directions Notice 2019 [PDF 798 KB]

Examination procedures

This notice provides the conduct of examinations, the reporting of their results, and to specify the requirements of examinations or other clinical matters.

Examination Procedures - General Directions Notice 2020 - effective 01 Feb 21 [PDF 1.6 MB]

PREDICT cardiovascular assessment tool

This letter gives approval for use of the PREDICT tool, which enhances the abilities of medical examiners assessing cardiovascular risk.

Director's approval for use of the PREDICT cardiovascular assessment tool [PDF 454 KB]