Have your say: proposed business transport and owner transport classifications

The proposal would establish a permanent framework for certain owner-related and business-related flights that are currently treated as air transport operations.

Why this is proposed

Under the current rules, some business and owner-related flights are classified as air transport operations because they involve an element of hire or reward even when they resemble private operations.

Industry stakeholders have advised that, in some cases, the rules may not be proportionate to the level of operational risk.

What is proposed

We are proposing a permanent framework that would allow certain business transport and owner transport operations to be regulated differently from commercial air transport operations, while ensuring appropriate safety requirements apply.

The proposal is intended to provide greater regulatory certainty while maintaining appropriate safety outcomes.

Under the proposal:

• business transport and owner transport would become new types of private operations
• eligible operators would not need a Part 119 Air Operator's Certificate (AOC)
• a new 3-sector framework would apply safety requirements according to aircraft size, complexity and passenger capacity, with larger and more complex operations subject to additional requirements
• how existing AOC holders can manage or operate aircraft used for business transport and owner transport would be clarified
• business transport or owner transport operators of higher complexity or passenger capacity aircraft would need to notify CASA, with no fee to do so.

The proposal has been informed by industry feedback, CASA’s risk-based regulatory principles and a review of approaches used internationally.

It is an initiative within our general aviation workplan.

What we want feedback on

We are seeking feedback on:

• the proposed classifications
• eligibility criteria and exclusions
• proposed safety requirements
• the 3-sector framework
• potential impacts on owners, operators, pilots and other industry participants.

Have your say

Visit the consultation hub to review the policy proposal and provide feedback by 14 September 2026.