Part 138 of CASR Aerial work operations

Rule status

Current

Part 138 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) sets out the rules for operators conducting aerial work operations. Aerial work operations include external load, dispensing and task specialist operations.

It incorporates the relevant requirements directly in a nationally consistent manner. Operators in this category hold an aerial work certificate. 

If you conduct other operations, such as air transport, you will need to comply with other CASR flight operations Parts.

Visit our flight operations transition section to find out more. 

Who it affects

This rule affects all operators and pilots who conduct aerial work operations.

All operators and pilots also need to comply with Part 91 of CASR General operating and flight rules. Keep in mind Part 138 may add to or turn off some Part 91 requirements either completely or partially.

Aeroplane operators may choose whether to conduct dispensing operations under Part 138 or Part 137 of CASR Aerial application operations.

Requirements for the dropping or releasing of any substance overlap for Part 138 and Part 137. Note: Part 137 only applies to aeroplanes.

Legislation

Legislative instruments

Legislative instruments apply to a broad range of people. These instruments include Manuals of Standards and exemptions to regulatory requirements.

Instruments related to this part will display in this space or you can view our list of legislative instruments.

10 legislative instruments available

Training and checking (CASR Part 138)
Commences:
CASA 94/21
Part 138 Manual of Standards
Commences:
Flight Training and Flight Tests for Grant of Aerial Mustering Endorsements
Commences:
CASA 05/23
Fatigue management
Commences:
CAO 48.1

Guidance material

Advisory material provides advice and guidance to explain particular regulatory requirements of a CASR Part. Guidance material relating to this part will appear in this space or you can view all our guidance material.

12 guidance material available

AC 1-02 - Guide to the development of expositions and operations manuals

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 1-02 provides information to the aviation industry, detailing the requirements to have and maintain an exposition or operations manual to meet the regulatory requirements of CASR and the MOS.

DOWNLOAD AC 1-02 Guide to the development of expositions and operations manuals (PDF, 1.03 MB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 4.1

AC 1-03 - Transitioning to the flight operations regulations

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 1-03 provides advice on CASR regulations pertaining the flight operations. They include Parts 91, 119, 121,133, 135 and 138 of CASR, specifically for those transitioning to these regulations on 2 December 2021.

DOWNLOAD AC 1-03 Transitioning to the flight operations regulations (PDF, 1.48 MB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 5.0

Multi-Part AC 91-19, AC 121-04, AC 133-10, AC 135-12 and AC 138-10 - Passenger safety information

Updated:

Multi-Part Advisory Circular AC 91-19, AC 121-04, AC 133-10, AC 135-12 and AC 138-10 provides guidance regarding the requirements for safety briefing cards and passenger safety briefings, instructions and demonstrations for operations.

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 91-19, AC 121-04, AC 133-10, AC 135-12 and AC 138-10 Passenger safety information (PDF, 1.59 MB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.3

CAAP 48-01 - Fatigue management for flight crew members​​​​​

Updated:

CAAP 48-01 provides guidance on meeting the AOC holder and flight crew member (FCM) obligations in relation to fatigue risk management, required under Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 48.1 Instrument 2019.

DOWNLOAD CAAP 48-01 fatigue management for flight crew members​​​​​ (PDF, 3.07 MB)
Civil Aviation Advisory Publication Version: 3.3

AC 1-05 - Aircraft leasing

Updated:

AC 1-05 provides advice and guidance to aircraft owners and operators when leasing aircraft. Information is provided on the types of aircraft lease, aircraft operating authorisations available and Australian requirements for air transport and aerial work operations utilising leased aircraft in Australia.

DOWNLOAD AC 1-05 - Aircraft leasing (PDF, 487.74 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

AC 1-04 - Registered operator responsibilities for continuing airworthiness

Updated:

This AC provides guidance for operators relating to their management of the continuing airworthiness, and maintenance, of aircraft being used for their operations.

DOWNLOAD AC 1-04 Registered operator responsibilities for continuing airworthiness (PDF, 326.02 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

Supporting resources

Supporting resources related to this part will appear in this space. These are used in conjunction to support the formal guidance material listed above.

12 supporting resources available

Self-assessment worksheet - Transitional operator - Safety management systems

Updated:

Use this self-assessment worksheet to confirm your safety management system complies with the regulations for safety management systems in accordance with Subpart 119.F and Division 138.B.6 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).

FOR Transition – Training and Checking System

Updated:

Use this form to submit, and apply for an approval of, the Training and Checking System section of an exposition or operations manual as part of the transition to Parts 119, 121, 133, 135, and 138 of the CASR.

Self-assessment worksheet - TCS Transitional Operator - Part 138 Aerial work operations

Updated:

Use this worksheet to confirm your training and checking system complies with the regulations for training and checking systems in accordance with Part 138 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).

Training and checking determinations plain English

Updated:

The purpose of this document is to present and summarise the key elements of these determinations in plainer English, as the legal instruments themselves are relatively lengthy, repetitive and complex.

Impact of new flight operations regulations on flight crew licencing exams

Updated:

Impact of new flight operations regulations on flight crew licencing exams. The introduction of the new flight operations regulations on 2 December 2021 will mean changes to the various flight crew licensing (FCL) theory exams.

Part 138 of CASR Key operational changes

Updated:

This document is intended to assist persons who will conduct aerial work operations under Part 138 of CASR to prioritise their actions to transition to the new flight operations regulations.

Related content

Related rules and publications

Last updated date
Updated:
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//index.php/rules/regulatory-framework/casr/part-138-casr-aerial-work-operations
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