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.

9 legislative instruments available

Part 138 Manual of Standards
Commences:
Fatigue management
Commences:
CAO 48.1
Flight Training and Flight Tests for Grant of Aerial Mustering Endorsements
Commences:
CASA 05/23
Training and checking (CASR Part 138)
Commences:
CASA 94/21
Crew Life Jackets (SMA-2160 Series)
Commences:
CASA EX89/23
Part 138 and Part 91 of CASR - Supplementary exemptions and directions
Commences:
CASA EX72/24

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.

14 guidance material available

Multi-Part AC 119-07 and AC 138-03 - Management of change for air transport and aerial work operators

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 119-07 and AC 138-03 - This multi-part AC provides guidance to all persons involved in the aviation industry who are seeking an improved understanding of the process of management of change.

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 119-07 and AC 138-03 Multi-Part Management of change for air transport and aerial work operators (PDF, 1.34 MB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - Management of change Version: 2.5

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

AC 138-01 - Part 138 core concepts

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 138-01 provides high level guidance and explanation regarding Part 138 and its core concepts.

DOWNLOAD AC 138-01 Part 138 core concepts (PDF, 1.33 MB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 3.0

AC 138-05 - Aerial work risk management

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 138-05 provides advice for Part 138 operators on how to comply with the risk assessment provisions in the Part 138 MOS as they apply to operators who are not required to have a safety management system (SMS).

DOWNLOAD AC 138-05 Aerial work risk management (PDF, 860.58 KB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 3.0

Part 138 aerial work operations AMC-GM

Updated:

Acceptable means of compliance and guidance material (AMC-GMs) for Part 138 Aerial work operations.

DOWNLOAD Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material (AMC-GM) - Part 138 (PDF, 1.18 MB)
Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material, Flight ops - General resource Version: 2.6

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.

10 supporting resources available

Aerial work operations CASR Part 138

Updated:

Use this form to apply for an initial issue Part 138 certificate. Individuals or organisations can apply.

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.

Part 138 sample operations manual (Mustering)

Updated:

Part 138 guide to sample operations manual (Mustering)

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.

CASR flight operations sample exposition / operations manual

Updated:

This Guide assists operators using the associated CASR Flight Operations Sample Exposition / Operations Manual template in Word format. The contents in this Guide, the associated Word, and MAAT templates has been structured in a logical order and provides clear references to the legislative requirements.

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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